The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-07

civil engineers upon railroad lines IN
Ecuador The five then Immediately
derarted for South America.
This was not done, however, until
every possible action had been taken
with the War Department to secure
reopening of the case, in order that
the Young men might at least know
the evidence filed against them. and
If possible file rebuttal testimony. sem
ator Bailey took up the fight for Ma
haffey, Senator Burrows for Linton.
Senator Platt for Keller. Senator
Cockrill for Clevel and and W. j. Bryan
for Bowlby. Senator Joe Hawley or
Connecticut took great interest in the
case and presented the five young men
to their Secretary of War Root, who
remained obdurate and declared the in
cident closed.
Injustice Apparent.
AS time wore on. however, the IN
justice of the action became apparent.
GeneraN Mills. still superintendent un-
til a few weeks ago. felt that discip-
line had been maintained and owing
to the excellent and praiseworthy ca
reers of the young men since their
separation from the academy. wrote
strong letter to President Roosevelt,
advocating the appointment of every
one of them to the military position
which he would now have held had he
been graduated from the academy with
his class. Secretary Taft, who listened
to the facts of the case. in a personal
interview with q we'll known Congress
man. stated that he wished that he had
five just such young men for his Phil
ippIne and Panama work. and Presi
dent Roosevelt now. without heslta ton,
takes the action above described. NOM
mating Linton and Bowlby for lleuten-
ants in the army. The other three, Ma
haffey. Cleveland and Keller. have now
passed the age at which they can be
legally appointed. But special bill
has been introduced into Congress in
their behalf by Congressman Sheppard
of Texes, and will undoubtedly pass
at the next session OF Congress. Mr..
Sheppard has had charge of the leg
islation and work leading to this re-
suit from the first and has been ably
assisted by Congressman Fordney of
Michigan and Congressman Hinshaw Of
Nebraska.
All Have Prospered.
The careers Of all five ex-cadets have
been meritorious indeed since serara-
ton from the Academy, and each has
prospnred Cleveland is superintend-
ent Of the Guayaquil and Quito Rail-
road. Mahatfey returned from Ecua-
dor, graduated at the University OF
Michigan, and is with the Southern
Pacific in Mexico holding a frst-class
pc Sition. Keller is with the en"ineer-
ing department of New York city. Lin
ton completed his education as a min
ing engineer at the Michigan College
of Mines and Bowlhv finished at the
University Of Nebraska
1t is not known whether either Lin
tor or BoWlby. the youngest Of the Eve
cadets. will accept the Presidents ap-
pointment and qualify as lieutenants
Both have responsible positions at
present, paving two to four times the
salary received by lieutenant and each
is believed to have very bright pros
poets. Bowlbv is professor in the
University % WASHINGTON at Seattle
Mr.. Linton is IN Quito, Ecuador, ir
charg of and largely Interested in ex-
tensive mining properties in South
America, Is confidential man and man
1ger there for an English cot"h syn
diClte, at the head Of which Is Il load
Ing finanCler of America, and Llutcn's
Coz nectiGn WIKI tnem bids fair to Iaake
him 4 very wealthy man. Wlilc In
tn country he WAS appointed as colonel
on the military staff Of Governor War
ner, and 1t may be that he nov has
had all the military titles or hoonrs he
desires.