The Washington herald., 1910-04-25
souri," It would be a great deal better
for Us. strawberrywlse at least
Lieutenant General" Sickles.

The House OF Representatives. which is
sometimes swayed in an unaccountable
way by pure sentiment. appears to have
maintained its sense Of the fitness OF
things when It refused 20 approve the bill
reported from the House Military Com
mittee authorizing the President 20 APP
point Maj. Gen. Daniel Z. Sickles, u. S. A,
retired, TO be lieutenant general on
the retired list While that committee
recommended the passage OF the BILL
there was a minority report submitted,
two other Republican and two Democratic
members. so that the Committee" ap-
prevail was by an exceedingly narrow
margin and did not include the names OF
such influential members as Messrs. Hull
Stevens. Price, Hay, and Slayden. Much
was made in the committee report and
in the debate by the advocates OF the bill
Of the fact that Gen. Sickies had a gall
liant record and that he lost a leg in the
civil war This was no more than several
thousand men have TO their credit, and
who have been satisfied. or had to be
satisfied. with q pension Of $50 or less a
month.
Gen. Sickles has been a distinguished
citizen and has occupied lucrative posi-
lions in the government service, at home
and abroad. and while holding such posi-
tons. including that OF a member Of the
House OF Representatives. he drew full
pay attaching 10 the civil or legislative
Offices. as well as the full pay of a major
general on the retired list OF the army.
In the views OF the minority members of
the Military Committee, 1t was set forth
that the government had given Gen.
Sickles. in the way Of army pay. nearly
a quarter Of million dollars. He does
not need the increase OF 5000 year
which would come 10 him by being a lieu
tenant general on the retired list, and he
does not need the title as afr~additiOnal
honor 10 the distinction he already en-
Joys. 1t did not. moreover add to Gen.
Sickles' fame 70 appear in Washington on
the day when the bill was, before the
House, nor did It contribute 10 the dignity
OF his position when he appeared as an
applicant for this unusual favor.
There IS no doubt that the project is
bad legislation. uncalled for by any OF
the exigencies OF the case" as was stated
in the views Of the minority. 1t is, more
over, gratifying TO note the disposition OF
Congress to stop this advancement OF
army and navy officers on the retired list.
especially those who have high rank and
should not require the extra emolument.
1t is simply adding 20 the cost Of military
maintenance in way which IS extrava-
CANT. 1t savors OF rampant favoritisrn,
OF which there has been altogether too
much. 1t is time there was a check. and
IL has been given now in a conspicuous
case calculated 20 attract attention to the
mistaken legislation which has been en-
acted and the unwise and unnecessary
legislation Of the same character which
IS pending.
SO far as Gen. Slckles IS concerned. he
should be content with the honors which
unquestionably are his. They are not to
be increased by changing his retired rank
from major general 20 lieutenant gen
eral; he does not need the money. and he
is not entitled 90 either the increased in
come from the government or the more
exalted title by any consideration Of the
services he has rendered in the past, when
there is an unparalleled comparison Of
his military and civil record with that OF
men who have been less fortunate or
less favored.