Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-27
TWO IMPORTANT VACANCIES.
Doctors Who May Have the Title of sureeo
General Conferred Upon Them.

W bufRoOo
General Conferred Upon Them.
The offices o; SUI -eon general O: the army
and of tbs navy both become vacant next
month, as has b.en stated in TIE STAR,
theiirst named 10y the retirement by
operation Of law on account OF ago
of Surgeon General Charles Sutherland
and the other by the retirement on account OF
age Of Surgeon General J. NJ. Browne. They
are both specially desirable billets and the sue
cession is a matter of paramount interest 10 the
eligible in the medical departments Of both
branches of the service. Surgeon General
Brownies term expires on the 10th proximo and
Surgeon General Sutherland will be retired on
the 29;h proximo.
According TO the gossips the selection OF n
chief of the medical department of the navy Is
practically confined 10 Medical Director A L.
GihOn, now on special duty in New York; Medi-
ca Director T. c. Dean. member OF tile medi-
cal examining board, and Medical Director A.
4. Gcrgas, now at the Naval Hospital. phila-
delphia. There are at least dozen other ap-
plicants for the place, but IL il admitted that
their chances are not so good as those OF either
Of the gentlemen named. DIR. Gihon Is the
senior IN rank, and, il is said, has the best
backing IL point OF numbers.
There Is more OF a contest and decidedly
the head OF the medical del artment OF the
army. The list embraces nearly all the officers
of the corps above the rank OF captain, nearly
sixty in number. First in line OF seniority is
Col. Charles Page, but as he will retire on ao-
count OF age within the next few months his
selection Is regarded as improbable In view OF
the Presidents known objection to promoting
an officer on the staff on the verge OF retire.
ment. Although the list Of availables 10 90
large and the uncertainties IN the matter SO
great it is believed in army circles that the
selection will be confined to less than dozen
persons.
or these Col Joseph II. Smith, who is now
In the department Of Arizona and has three
years yet 10 serve, is said 10 be backed by the
influence of Gen. Schofield and army head
quarters. Col. B. J. ID. Irwin, medical director
under Gen. Miles, ID said TO have the support
o! Secretary Gresham. Lieut.. Col Chas. c.
Byrne, the senior officer Of his grade, is well
known here as one Of the Garfield physicians
and subsequently as surgeon OF the Soldiers
Home during Arthur's administration. He Is
relative of Gen. A. McD. McCook and has
the strong influence OF that powerful family.
He is now on duty in the department Of the
Columbia. Major John S. Billings, whose
present duties include charge Of the medical
museum in this city and professorship in
Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, is
regarded as a particularly promising proba-
bility because of his special prominence in the
iueAlcai prolesslou anu us important Work IN
connection with the medical library and his
eminerce as a sanitarian. Mai. ID. /. Hunting
ton. who was great favorite OF Gen. Sher-
mans and who was formerly chief assistant to
the surgeon general in Washington, is also said
to stand good chance Of selection. Others
regarded as strong probabilities are Lieut..
Col. Dallas Bache, of distinguished descent and
personal merit, now on Gen. Brooke's staff |;
Lieut.. Col. G. VI. Sternberg. the famous
bacteriologist. and Maj. L. NJ. O'Reilly, now on
duty in Washington and the regular physician
for the families of the President and Secretary
Lamont.
The canvass for this vacancy is being con-
Quoted with the utmost secrecy and in a man.
ner altogether different from that usually
employed. This is due to the fact that in the
case OF q similar appointment during President
Cleveland's former administration he se.ected
for the Office Gen. Moore the only man in the
eligible list who was not an active candidate for
promotion. Consequently the canvass, while
really as active and vigorous any Of its pre-
decessors. is being conducted on altogether
different lines. As an illustration OF this IL is
said that several officers who are specially de-
sirous Of receiving the appointment very
much concerned for fear their desires NAV
reach the Presidents ears and consequently
prejudice their chances. The result will be
awaited by the army with especial interest.