The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-03

| Mrs. Phil. Sherdan) and by Lieut.-Col. Will
| liam r. Gibson, both of the latter being also
senior TO tho new chief. Further, the idea has
| obtained in tho Army that President Harrison
was strongly in favor of following the rule of
| promoting by seniority, according to his action
| in appointing Gen. Kelton to Adjutant General
and Gen. Breckenridge to Senior Inspector
| General.
There seems, however, to be bit Of poetic
justice in this appointment of Gen. Smith. AS
/ have written, the new appointee and the
Senior Assistant Paymaster. General, are broth
ers, but the latter is over two years the junior
| in age, and nearly three years the junior in
service as n pay officer. The seniority of Col.
Rodney Smith happened in this way Both of
the brothers were born in Vermont, but, like
many other Vermonters, drifted westward
| when their education was completed, and each
one adopted tho profession of law-William
| practicing in Minnesota while Rodney located
4 in Louisville.
As soon rs the rebellion began, the elder
brother rendered his services, and in August
| 1861 was appointed Major and Additional Pay.
master, which made him n part of the voIun-
teer forces. As soon rs lie received his commits
sion, he was joined by Rodney, and the latter
was made his clerk.
After while. Rodney began to see that n
| Paymastership was pretty nice billet to hold,
and began moving 10 get an appointment for
| himself. His efforts were ut last successful, and
| he was appointed Mai or and Paymaster u. ).
| Army, Feb %, 1864, by the aid of Senator Col
+ lamor, of Vermont, and other influential per-
| sons
Additional Paymaster William Smith plodded
along with his responsible work TO the end of
| the war--was brcvcttcd Lieutenant Colonel Tor
| faithful and mcrt0rious services, aud was
finally mustered out in July, 1866. In the fol-
! lowing January 1867, when tho Pay Depart
ment was increased by score more, Col.
| William was appointed also as Major aud Pay
master, II. s. Army-at the head of the list Sc
| lccted for the Volunteer Paymastcrs, but tho
younger brother was three years his senior in
the Pay Department of tho Regular Army.
Now, William resumes seniority in rank.
| Con. Smith will be retired for ago in March,
| 1893, and Col. Rodney Smith in Jan, 1898.
! The new General was on duty in the Paymas-
! ter-Gencrals Office for several years and is a
great favorito in Washington. He is now on
duty at st. Paul, Mimi.
GEN. THOMAS L. CLINGMAN,
who served in the rebel army from North Caro-.
| lima rs General officer, aud who represented
that State in the Senate of the United States in
| ante belium times, is engaged in mines and
mining in the mountains OF tho Western part
of the old North State. He is frequent Wis
! itor to Washington, and, although he has pass.
cd the limit of age assigned by the Psalmist, is
| bale aud hearty, and walks rs briskly aud
! talks as chccry as most men of 40. He says
the only thing he now needs in life is n
young widow of 40 or thcreabouts, who has
plenty of money with which to dovelope some
| of his mining property. He would gladly
marry such partner, and he only asks that
she shall possess the grcenbacks and good
| character.
ARMY AND NAVY.
Commander Joseph b. Coghlan, of the II. 8.
Navy, was recently ordered before a court-mar-
tial for trial on charges of conduct uubecoming
an officer and "A gentleman, because of having
written newspaper article Criticizing and
ridiculng the administration of naval affairs.
The accused pleaded not guilty, and the civil
ian witnesses by whom ii was expected 10 prove
the authorship Of the article refused To testify.
aud the court was powerloss i'm the matter.
| While the law gives Army courts martial tho
same authority over civilian witnesses rs is
possessed by civil courts. there is nothing ia
the law compelling the attendance of civilian
witnesses at naval courts martial. The record
in the Coghan case has not yet been received
at the Navy Department, hut in view OF the
absence of proof there is no doubt Of his nc
| quittal. In anticipation Of that result Com
mander Coghlan has written 10 the Secretary
of the Navy requesting that he be restored TO
the command of the Mohiean. Tho request is
not looked upon with favor, and is not likely
| 10 be granted.
ARMY AND NAVY ORDERS.
| The Secretary OF War last week ordered First
Lieut.. Henry T. Allen, 2d Cav, now on duty at
West Point, 10 duty as Military Attacho nc the
United States Legation az st. Petersburg.
! Lieut.. Allen is c0nversant with the Russian
| language. In 1882 he was on duty in Alaska.
First Lieut.. Luigi Lomia. 9th Art, has boen
| ordered abroad ON special military service, par
ticnlarly in Italy. He is Il native Of Sicily.
First Lieut.. $. G. Mills, l2Ih Inf, who is nov
| abroad OF leave Of absence has been given for.
eien duty for six months. lie will 80 6rlt into
/ Denmark
NEW APPoISTEEs
The following nominations were sent 10 the
Senate by the President last week:
Pay Director Thomas H. I,oaker To be Chief
Of the Bureau Of Provisions aud Clothing aud
| Paymaster General. with rank OF Commodore.
Medical Inspector Walter II. Scoleld TO bo a
Medical Director.
Surgeon Daniel McMurtrie to be a Medical
Inspector
Passed Assistant Engineer Henry Schuyler
| Ross 10 be Chief Engineer.
Assistant Engineer George W. MeElroy to be
| q Passed Assistant Engineer.
VETERANS ~ THE CITY.
| J. w. Moore. Co. T. 18th Ohio, Leadville,
Colo. Comrade Moore is tho present Com
mandeE of Garfield Post Of Leadvile. aud was
ono OF the young soldiers who went out al the
first call for troops, but left the army after Tho
siege Of Vicksburg TO accept an appointment
| 20 the West Point Military Academy, where he
served until 1867. lie did not enter the Regu-
| lar Army, for when he graduated the Army was
| reduced. AMI lac went West aud has grown up
with the country. He is q prosperous business
man.