The morning call., 1893-05-09
HAS A NEW POLICY.
Cleveland's Notion of Army and
Navy Promotion.
A Scheme That VIII Bear Some
what Severely Upon a Few Very
Deserving Officers.
Special to THE MoRNINs CALL

WASHINGTON. May S.-Apropos of the
appointment of surgeon general Of the
navy to succeed Dr. Brown, who reaches
the age limit on May 10. President Cleye-
land is said not to favor the promotion of
Dasal officers who will in a very short
iilne reach the age of retirement, and con-
seduently cannot serve out the four years
term prescribed by law. policy Of this
kad would debar DR.. Gihou, DR.. Dean
and four other ranking officers of the midi
cal corps of the navy from appointment as
surGeon-general, and would confne the
preferment to their juniors in the service.
The only medical directors who would be
eligible for appointment under this alleged
policy in point of rank are: c. j. Cleborne.
Michael Bradley. n. l.. Bates, L. s.
Bogeri. w. X. Schofield. G. 5. Beardsley,
II. NJ. Wells and John Clark.
While the selection is not necessarily
confined to the list OF medical directors, it
is believed that the President viii not 90
below that grade in filing the approaching
vacancy.
Should the President act in this matter
according to present predictions it will
crssiTsy upset all calculations in regard to
existing and prospective vacancies in the
army. Colonel Carlin of the Fourth In
fantry would be removed from the list of
possible igadieT-generals. Colonel Page,
senior officer of tile medical corps, would
stand no chance of promotion as surgeon
general OF the army, and Colonel Nc
keeyer could never expect 10 attain to the
Office Of adjutant-eeneral of the army.
The surgeon-generalship becomes vacant
on the 18th inst, by the retirement of
General Sutherland. aud Adjutant-Gen-
eral Williams will retire from active SER
vice in November next. Colonel Carlin,
Colonel Page and Colonel McKeever will
all be retired between now and the reas-
sembling OF Congress In regular session.
Some Of the legal lights OF the service
question the power OF the President to
make promotions during recess OF the
Senate where commissions Will expire be-
fore the Senate can pass upon them.
1t is conceded in army circles that the
adiutant-generaiship lies between Gem
eral Ruggles and General Vincent, with
General Greene a close third. OF these
General Vincent will be the first to retire,
and the selection OF either of the other two
will smut him out forever.
In the Navy Bureau appointment are
for term Of four years, but in the army
they hold until the incumbent goes on the
retired list Some surprise is expressed at
the apparent delay In army appointments.
and the most plausible explanation offered
IS that the powers that DE are too much
engrossed in other matters just at present
t. consider military affairs. Two impOr-
tant vacancies have existed since the
change OF administration. One was caused
by the enforced retirement of Brgadier-
General Carr and the failure of the Senate
10 act on the nomination of Colonel Otis
The other is a vacant paymastership. Sec
retary Lamont Is taking his time in consd-
ering these cases.
Another vacancy will occur in the Navy
Department this week by reason of the
resignation of Commodore Dewey as chef
OF the Bureau of Equrment and Repairs.
He resigns for the purpose of becoming
member of the Lighthouse Board. vice
Commodore Gillis, who goes ON the retired
list on the 10Th inst Commander Chad
wick and Captain Selfridge are mentioned
as most likely to succeed Commodore
Dewey