Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-05

The heads of the war ana Navy De
partments are of course rather hard to
reach. They are supposed to maintain
the dignity Of the United States Govern
ment, and, b6 ing new in the business,
make d speciality of Tire dignity feature
''ht have gorgeous rooms, both of then,
the handsoRiest ofall the Cabinet officers,
wi,h archeo ceilings, handsome frsscoes,
polished floors, finely carved desks, walls
lined with pictures, attendants that are
trained Go move wlth military precision
and TO spring at the sound o. the electric
bell. II yUu bave occasion 20 call upon
Their you must be very polite, not only TO
themselves but 70 their assistants, else
you may find yourself promptly rebuked
or sternly snubbed. This Is particularly
the case in regard to the War Depart
Ten'. The Secretary OF the Navy per-
forms such duties as the President of the
United Safes, whoi is C0mmander-in-Chi
may assign him, and has the general SUI
ierintendcn 1e of constructing. manning,
armament, equipment ANA employment
of vessels OF war. The Secretary OF
War performs such duties as the Presi-
dent may eujOin upon him concerning the
military service, and has the controlling
supervision Of the purchase of army sup
p les, transportation. etc, and of all eX-
peDditurps made under the approprfa-
ii rs for the support Of the army, and for
such OF a civil nature as may by law be
placed under his administration. He is
required r. provide for the taking OF
meteorological observations at the mill.
tary stations ia the interior Of the cOnH-
nert, and at other points in the States
anu Territories, arFanges the course OF
studies at the Military Academy, sub
mits to Congress all estimates for inn
prOyements of rivers and harb0rs, and
performs other similar duties,
%WIth the personal appearance of the
Secretary of the Interior the public is
pretty familiar. With those of his assist
ant, who is charged with a good many
important duties. they are not so much
so. Here he is, Mr.. Henry LOwndes
Muldrow. He has been eight years in
Congress, and as a result is pretty well
fitted tor the duties OF his position. He is
an ex-COnfederate, a lawyer, a quiet, UNI
assuming sort Of a man, and is entering
upon bis QUITS Ss though be was an Old
hand at H.. Both Mr.. MuldrOw and his
chief, Mr.. Lamar, are very apprOachable
men, not at all ''stuek up" and give
promise of an eXcC lent management Of
the interior ID apartment.
The Secretary OF the Interior is charged
with the supervision of public business
relating to patents for Inventions, pension
and bounty lands. the pub &c lands, in
uding mines, the Indians, education,
railroads, the public surveys, the census,
when directed by law, the custody and
distri button of public documents, and
certain hospitals and eleemOsy nary insti-
tutlons in the District of Columbia. He
also exercises certain powers and duties
in relation To the Territories OF the United
States. The Assistant Secretary of the
Interior perform such duties as are pre-
scribed by the Secretary or required by
law, aiding in tae general administration
Of the affairs Of the department. In the
absence Of the Secretary he acts as the
mead of the department.