New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-12
REVIEW OF EVIDENCE.
Senator Scott Makes an argument
Against Confirmation of Wood.

rvash,np-on Ian 11-Senator Scott a member OF
the COMMITTEES Military Affairs. has suD1nlIoeo
IA executive session OF the Senate review OF the
evidence introduced before the COMMITTEES IN the
p,.srtpg on the nomination OF Bragadier General
Wood TO be a major general Senator Scott gives
his reasons for opposing confirmation. ne quotes
snany points brought out against Gehefa4 "o0U'
particularly those in connection with charges ri9t
General Wood accepted gifts from the Jai Alal
company. Of Havana. and was guilty OF comphclty
with Major James z Runcie in the preparation aio
publication OF an article rejecting olscFeoltaoI'
on Major General John r. Brooke. MS fahhAis
officer. Senator Scott makes an argument IN OPP
position TO the appointment Of General WOOD 10 Dc
"a major general He prefaces his remarks with
she statement that confirmation to so high place
as that Of major general should be mace viii
due elaboration and that the person 10 De con-
firmed should be highly qualified aid in every way
worthy and above suspicion concerning hoiiAN
lions Of this character he says;
The President. the appointive power. is the com
unander in chief of the army ana navy OF le
services come from him to those under him with
peculiar force and power, IN that what ne s1:9
TO those under him is to them the law anu enS i
complaint criticism on their part are Iealt3
acts Of Misrepresentation; hence to US a6ne sr rlS
OF the United States. loyal true ana isthIui az
Gov ,1stie. and Hight should the executive, their
commander in chief. either innocently or capri
sTbe oiioers and men thus cut OFF from the right OF
complaint have peculiar claim 70 De ne h He ns
II becomes ana behooves every senator 10 exer-
70 throw every possible safeguard around this
class of appointments. particularly when ths Act
OF confirmation has the far-reaching effect that
this viii have
w,KINLEYs PROMOTION OF WOOD.
Commenting on a statement IN the brief OF Sen
ator Foraker, calling attention 10 the fact that
st was President Mckinley who Jumped" General
Wood over hundreds OF officers IN the army, sel-
ator Scott says:
4a1 hat ha
found Rome of brick and left IL Of marble, and so,
perchance may General Wood lay claim 70 tae
and left it with sewerage system This however.
goes 20 his credit as physician ana as sS an f
ness to command a body Of troops. The evidence
he was APPOINTED because Of his supposed capacity
as 9 civil governor, and there is much TO throw
pOhsi e1n as 5hs Ssadier general was not
ted by the President and no one VII pesv roInt
ing him TO a major generalship certainly not IN
ahe light OF the present development
The testimony OF General James H Wilson con-
oeruing the advancement OF General Wood is quoted
at length including that portion which asserts that
General Wood was not in the battle OF San Juan
In reference to this the review says;
This statement Of General Wilson shews clearly early
wrong Is perpetraed upon the army OF me Cni ;,
States by the continuation 81 - very afeat
affecting does the am billions OF scores OF yodS
v0 h R P M6e ana IN the DS long
he may remain at the head or the army
CHARGE OF INSTRUMENTATION.
Referring TO the conduct Of General Wood toward
his superior officer General Brooke, Senator Scott
saws that no impartial person review the evi-
6ence in this matter without reaching the coaclu-
sion that the charge OF disloyalty is fully estab-
ushed He says the circumstances so strongly
support the charge and exclude the theory OF limo
cence OF General Wood that II he were being tried
by q Jury OF his countryrnen for a crime upon like
evidence and under like circumstances his conv1o-
ton would result beyond question. Senator Scott
adds;
IL must be borne In mind that during the whole
time General Brooke and General Wood We're sery-
ing IN Cubs General Wood considered by his
superior officer General Brooke, II not engaged In
conduct OF insubordination. al least as not per-
forming his duty loyal soldier should TO his
superior commanding officer Surely this is rot an
inviting picture OF one who during the period OF
ffx years has been elevated from the position OF