New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-04
THE CASE OF sURGEoN-GENERAL TRYoy.
HIS APPLICATION FOR REINFORCEMENT SUP
PORTED BY SECRETARY LONG AND
MANY NAVAL. OFFICERS

PORTED BY SECRETARY LONG AND
MANY NAVAL OFFICERS.
Washington. Sept. (SpeciaD-The term Of four
years for which J. Rufus Tryon was appointed As
Surgeon-General OF the Navy expires next Tues
day. He has still two years 10 serve not reaching
the retiring age Until September "a, 1899. In this
respect his is similar to that Of his prede
eessor Surgeon-General J. Mills Browne. and other
heads Of staff corps at the present time. 1t has
teen the practice for number Of years-a practice
which certainly should not be abandoned in time
OF peace, except for weighty reasons-to reappoint
the incumbent as to permit him to retire with
the rank and pay Of the highest grade filled by
him. IL this is not done, and a junior officer Is
Jumped over the head Of his senior the act OBJ
vIousy carries with II a rebuke which Is more the
less CALLING the victim Of this arbitrary proceed
Ing because IL remains unexpressed In words. and
which moreover, in its effect on the morale Of the
service cannot be otherwise than disastrous. That
the Department Itself shares this opinion is evil
denced by the strong support which the Secretary
Of the Navy Is giving the application OF Surgeon
General Tryon for reappontment, not 10 mention
ocers Of all ranks and grades in the service. who
have followed with the keenest interest the series
Of reforms introduced in the Bureau OF Medicine
and Surgery by Dr. Tryon since he became its
chief four years ago. and who would regret to see
the efficiency Of that bureau impaired by having
the work begun within the last two years either
suspended temporarily or stopped altogether
There would have been no question OF surgeon
General Tryon's reappointment were 1t not Tor the
fact that the Presidents friend and family physi-
clan. DR.. Bates had within month or TWO De-
come candidate for the office Of SurgeonGenerai.
Dr. Bates is an excellent officer, and this. together
with the fact that he has had the closest relations
With the President ever since the latter first came
Washington as a member Of the House OF KEEP
rtentatves has led many people TO think that the
President might possibly appoint his family physi-
Gan and friend at the expense OF the present sur
teoa-General and the efficiency Of the service
those who know the President best however, de-
safe with much vigor that in matter OF this
mo, friendship IL displayed at the cost OF justice
tho fair play. counts for little or nothing win MIN
ne has. moreover 1t is pointed out, ample oppoL,
many aa 70 ss Il ne should SO esns. Hs Of de
Eaong or subecting to needless Illumination a ols-
nngulshed and deserving officer Ike DR.. Tryon;
S A ss,es will o MOI rs aar i9e Tyon is
nat Is 10 say. some time In November, 1893 pr.
tsyon reaches the age limit In September OF me
xne year. The President therefore, has ample
opportunity 10 honor DR.. Bates and appoint nm
me place OF Surgeon-General without vioatihg
HI; precedent. as some superserviceapie Hiehos u
aeeiare to-day he is ready 10 DO.
,c S%vfseon-General Tryon Is native OF New ORR
az graduate OF Union College and the medical
Syg.sIE!men, OF the University OF Pennsylvania ne
sss,non. and in the line OF duty has visited nearly
~ port OF the habitable globe In 1874 he voun-
IN Lor service during the yellow fever epidemic
tse.Mtp srior ofhcers. AS an author Of a valuable
6sslM on leprosy and number of reports on
S,os:ss. abroad he is known even outside Of his
ptrtms. His administration Of the medical De
la M o. the Navy during his term OF ONCE
Instituted Er ali lie tendHs to the adj
and corsst OF the Medical Corps and 10 the care
''' OF the sick and wounded IN the Navy