New-York tribune., 1905-01-12
STORM OVER GEN. NILES.
NOT TO GET FULL PAY.
His Massachusetts, appointment
Hotly Discussed IN the House.

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE appointment of
Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles as Inspec-
tor General OF Massachusetts, overshadowed
all other questions in the discussion OF the
Army Appropriation bill in the House of Repre-
sentatives to-day The debate had proceeded
le.curely until Mr.. Hull, in charge Of the bill,
offered an amendment providing that retired Of
fcers above the grade OF major should not re-
ceive the full pay of their grade when assigned
to duty with the militia of the States. Several
members declared that the amendment was d.
rected especially at General Miles. but Mr.. Hull
insisted that he had such thought In mind,
and argued that the best results were obtained
from officers OF the lower grades He asserted
that not until the law allowing increased pay
for officers assigned to the militia was passed
did retired officers of the higher grades apply
for the appointments He said 1t was increased
pay, and not patriotism. which prompted them.
and he characterized their conduct as un-
seemly.
This statement aroused Mr.. Cochran, of New
York. who declared that it was simply penaliz-
ing superior officers to the advantage and profit
Of inferior officers
Mr.. Williams of Mississippi asserted that the
real motive behind the amendment was an at
tack on General Miles, who is extremely per-
soma non grata in high circles in the Republican
party" 1t was. he said. new thing for the
Republican party to slight the heroes of the
nation and push its favorites to the front 1t
had not been long. he said. since the country
witnessed the manner in which Admiral Schley
1was treated, and the way in which General
Miles was snubbed in public. for what reason
was not known. But" he said amid laughter
and applause. don't snub him in his new State
militia unirsr.n. Don't take that away from
him in this time of his pride!" He said that
If economy was wanted the Democrats could
tell how to be economical He attacked the
principle of a large standing army or great
navy Economy, he said, should begin with the
military establishment, but, he added, don't
take II all out on General Miless additional
pay and his Massachusetts, State uniform
Mr. Gillett of Massachusetts. said he believed
the amendment was offered with an honest pur-
pose. and Mr.. Hull added that it was not offered
with the idea of affecting any particular officer.
Mr. Grosvenor favored the amendment He
challenged Mr Williamss statement that Gen
eral Miles was a Democrat. THAT is the first
time I ever heard of it," he said. General
Miles received the nomination of the Prohibition
party and he added, amid great laughter. GOO
knows that the extreme antipodes was reached
then"
Mr.. Thayer, of Massachusetts, said Governor
Douglas repeatedly sought General Miles for the
place before he would accept. The people OF
Massa chusetts would believe the amendment 10
be an insult to General Miles, and he cautioned
the Republicans that If they wanted to make
Massachusetts, solidly Democratic they could
vote for the amendment and I'VE will have 1t
from the top to the bottom
An amendment by Mr.. Robinson OF Indiana
to strike from the Hull amendment the words
above the grade of major was lost, 81 to 92.
and the Hull amendment then was adopted, 1O6
to Il.
Several members severely criticised army and
navy expenditures, and Mr.. Prince. of Illinois,
called attention to the large retired list. which
included 236 brigadier generals, who, he said,
could not have been retired by operation of law,
although he disavowed any intention or chars-
ing any nlaladministraton of the law.
Mr.. johnson, of South Carolina. In a short
speech, favored ar agreement among the cot
ton growers to curtail production for the next
year one-half.
Consideration OF TIE Army bill was not fn-
ished when the House adjourned until to-
morrow