New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-12
WOOD CASE IN SENATE.
Senators Scott and Blackburn OPP
pose Confirmation.

Washington. March l1.-With the exception
OF half an hour devoted 10 the consideration OF
routine business. the Senate spent the entire day
in executive session. devoting most % the time
TO the nomination Of General Leonard Wood TO
be a major general The early closing of the
doors was forced by an effort the part OF Sem
ator CarTnack 10 secure consideration in open
session OF his resolution calling on the Secretary
OF the Treasury for the papers in his Office bear
ing the nomination OF II. Smith WooIley, A
bishop OF the Mormon Church. to be superin-
tendent OF the Assay Office at Boise. Idaho.
Senator Carmack made a plea for open session
discussion Of the matter but Senators Hoar and
AI0rlch opposed IL ana on A roicaA q Inotlon
10 return 10 legislative session was voted down
by a large majority. The resolution calling for
the papers then vote was lost The Wood
case had the attention Of the Senate from that
made in opposition TO General Woods conhrIna-
ton. the speakers being Senators Scott and
Y1lfttee on Military Affairs who opposed a favor
able report the nomination.
senator Scott quoted largely from the testi-
mony, following closely the charges made by
Major Rathbone. which he said had been in a
large manner sustained. He accused General
Wood OF INSTRUMENTATION to General Brooke and
contended that his responsibility for the Run
Gle ma gazine article was quite definitely estab-
lished. he also referred at some length to the
franchise to the Jai Alai, asserting that General
Woods conduct In that case had been far diff
feraut from what that of the chief representa-
should have been. While he was talking this
point Senator Foraker interrupted to say that
the responsibility for that incident had been
assumed by the War Department. Mr.. Scott
replied that the department had acted only after
fnsistent urging by Wood. Senator Scott also
referred to what ne spoke OF the injustice
OF General Woods appointment. saying that
there are over hundred veteran officers Of the
civil War who had not attained rank beyond
that Of colonel. He mentioned 2 number OF
them Including Major Edward Davis, Lieuten-
ant colonel H. 2. Osgood. Colonel o p. Ernest
and Lieutenant Colonel George =. Borden.
Senator Blackburn spoke With comparatively
slight reference 10 the record. He Contended
that General Wood had not earned his rapid
advance i'm the army and urged that il was
record he said that 81 had been only a few
wears since he was serving army surgeon
with the rank of captain. Now, he said, he is
the ranking bTiga0er. and his name is before
the Senate for promotion TO a major general
shin. Notwithstanding he never really has par
tfcipated IN more than one engagement, that
Of Las Guasimas in cuba Mr.. Blackburn ad-
rl.itted that General Wood had taken infantry
command during the campaign against the
Apache Chief Geronimo. but said that the cav
airy had encoupassed Ceronimo's downfall. and
that General Wood thus had been cut out Of
all credit I'm that connection. The Senator
argued that the advancement had been too rapid
FOR the achievements. and said such rapid pro
just 10 other meritorious officers. General Wood
should wait for further promotion, he said
Senator Blackburn then reviewed the evidence
bearing the Jai Alal incident and the kuncie
article. and had not concluded when the Senate
adjourned