Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-11
GENERAL SMITHS FAREWELL
New Department Commander Speaks
Appreciation at Cheyenne.
REVIEWS EXPERIENCES OF POST
Seasons cf Diffiruity Preceded the
Occupation OF Fort u. 4. Russell
"A word for Judge
Nandeventcr.

The evening preceding his departure from
Fort u. A. Russell WE. a smoker vas
given in honor % BriEadicr General y. A.
smith at the Industrial club. Chcyenne,
which was attended BY many of the lead
ing citizens Of the wyoHing metropolis.
After expressinE his kindly appreciation
OF the many courtesies extended him during
the year that he was IN command Of Fort
n. A Russell General smith said 1t Is
Just one year aEo this month that the good
people Of Cheyenne welcomed me with open
arms and hearts IN this same Industrial
club When I assumed command % the
post 81 was in a state Of unpreparedness
for the troops which were being gathered
here. Two battalious Of the Eleventh in
fantry had Just returned from CDha some
Of the artillery from the Philippines and
in June the Ninth cavalry arrived from the
Philippines There were over seventy build
ings under course cf construction more
troops than could be provided with quart
ers
The Ninth cavalry was put IN camp on
the reservation ana soon conceived the
idea that the artillery needed field instrue-
ton and opportunity for target practice,
and 50 Il was sent to Pole mountain: the
cavalry moved into the barracks which
had been occupied by the artillery and the
latter were kept out until the new bar
racks were sufficiently completed 10 be oe-
cupied.
The constructing eusrtermaster, Cap
tain Hart. with my opportunities for
greater haste in construction used to be
met with a statement as to the difficulties
under which the contractors were labOring.
How II took a month for carload lots OF
material to reach here from Chicago or
St Paul that material was getting side
tracked enroute and that much needed ma
terial was being delayed With much labor
and concern on my part the several garri-
sons were arranged in their respective
parts Of the post and by degrees Il assumed
a well regulated permanent basis.
I appreciate the fact that one exposes
himself to criticism and Misrepresentation
IL he shows a tendency toward independ-
ence Of action In fact. there never vas
but one absolutely independent man. and
that was Adam in the early days OF his
experience in the Garden OF Bden.
Il have no doubt that aets OF my admin
istraton have been the subject OF criticism.
especially BY the more Junior officers. and
the more Junior be is the more positive he
is that he could command the post beater
ihan Ehe oio hlan' out. hIa VIEWS nov
selfish and narrow, viii broaden with the
experience OF more mature years. when he
realizes that orders and actions have 10 be
made with a view TO the adjustment OF the
entire machinery. az a whole, rather than
10 his own little cogwheel.
IT have done anything TO bring about
closer relations between Cheyenne and
| Fort Russell ! am glad that have been
able to do something toward their mutual
/ interests"
His address concludes with a kindly ref
/ erenee 10 the officials OF Cheyenne and the
state officials and judiciary, state and
federal. closing with the hope that Judge
| Vandevanter might be chosen as the sue
! cessor TO the late Justice Brewer.