The Washington times., 1904-01-05

Senate in executive session late yester-
day afternoon. took the form of a re-
port from Mr.. Foraker 1t is los print
ed pages in length. Of dimensions larger
than the usual committee reports. SEN
ator Scott expects later TO present a
similar report reviewing the reasons re-
garded by the other side as calling for
opposing confirmation
The RathbOne Charges.
Senator Foraker's report presented the
following review OF the charges pre-
sented at the hearings:
The RathbOne charges, six in number
may be summed UP as follows:
Issuing orders and instructions to
courts Drejudicial to Rathbone.
2-Autnorizing the use of ex parte dep
ositions
3-Granting a concession to and ac-
eepting gifts from the Jai Alai
4-Complicity with Runcic in an article
rejecting on General Brooke
5-Directing Cuban auditor to violate
law in treatment Of accounts.
e-Uulizing services of an ex-convict
to displace his superior officer and Sc
cure the latter's position.
Disposal of Allegations.
The manner in which these charges
are disposed Of is. i'm brief. as follows
lin the Rathbone trial. General Wood
merely enforced War Department or
ders. from Secretary Root himself.
2-Rathbone's lawyer not only admit
ted the admissibllity of the dispositions
IN question. but himself made use Of
them in his clients defense
3-General Wood. according 20 the
testimony. never granted any conces-
sion 10 the Jai Alai. but merely handed
down decision of the War Depart
ment denying the possession OF sulfi-
cient authority. The acceptance of the
gift is defended by Secretary Root in
these words; ITO have refused this and
other gifts made at the same time
would have been discourteous. injurious.
and unjustihable'
AFTER Runcie had written the ar
ucle. Woods only conversation with him
about il was TO inquire as to its au-
thorship. Runcie had deceived Wood
on other occasions. and his testimony
was thereby weakened
5-No evidence in support Of this
charge.
e-Declared a spitefuI and malicious
declaration. prompted by revenge and
wanton vilifcation.
McKinley's Selection.
Concerning General Woods appoint
nent as brigadier general. the Foraker
report says:
When General Wood was made a
brigadier general in the regular army
By appointment Of President Mckinley
and by the unanimous vote of the Sen
ate. he was advanced over many Of
fcers who had been longer in the serv-
ice, and who. until then, held higher
rank than he had held. There might
have been at that time some propriety
IL urging objection on such an account
To his confirmation. but there was no
objection Of the kind. because it was
then well understood that his promotion
by President Mckinley was because-in
the judgment OF the President, who. un-
der the Constitution and the laws. has
a right TO select without regard TO
seniority in the appointment Of gen
eials-General Wood had rendered con-
spicuous and meritorious services. and
had shown abilities and qualihca tions
that well entitled him, in the judgment
OF the President. to the rank he was
thus giving him. especially in view of
the service he was then rendering as
military governor Of Cuba.
The Senate and all others who were
interested TO have knowledge on the sub
ject were familiar with the fact that
the advancement Of General Wood at
that time was made for these reasons.
and that as a result Of il. he was given
rank over brother officers who had
heretofore been his superiOrs"
All Names Considered.
Senator Foraker then quotes in full
the evidence Of Mr. Root showing
President McTlinley's consideration OF
the names and records Of different Off
GERS prior 10 the war with Spain. and
says:
There seems to be an opinion widely
entertained that General Wood is now
by this appointment being jumped over
the other officers superior to him in
rank and Of longer and more important
service. Such Is not the case. General
Sumner and General Wood were. when
this nomination was made, the ranking
brigadier generals of the army Both
were al the same time nominated 20
iii the two vacancies then occurring
10 be major generals. General Sumner
has been confirmed. Only one vacancy
IN the rank OF major general remains.
ard that is the one 70 which General
Wood has been appointed.
Narrowing the Choice.
1T would seem to be enough, in view
of his good record TO justify the Presi
dent in giving him this appointment
that ne IS now the ranking brigadiel
general and naturally the first man 4
be considered Of the whole army ir
connection with such an appointment
IL will not be contended. or at least q
has not been contended by anyone
that I'm appointing a major general {,
fiji the vacancy now existing. the Pres
ident should select for that appointment
any officer OF the army below the ranI
OF brigadier general That is to say. NJ
colonel or lieutenant colonel or Other
officer OF less rank has been suggested
as ready 10 be advanced over all tn
fifteen brigadier generals Of the arm!
10 the rank Of major general
II therefore, the question of deter
mining who shall have this appointment
must be confined. as IL is, 10 the fifteeI
brigadiers, q mere glance at their re
spective records will show that. Whilt
all are apparently capable and efficient
officers. not one Of them has a bette
claim, by reason OF his past record and
experience as a commander. than hai
General Wood. and in the opinion OF tn,
committee no one has In view of his
present rank equal claim 20 him on tho
ground Of merit measured by the con.