The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-06
MEIKLEJOHN,s SUCCESSOR.
w. G. Sanger, of New York, to Be AS
sistant Secretary Of War.

New York, March "a special to the
Tribune from washington says.
The president has selected william
Carey Sanger of New York, for as
sistant secretary of war, in succession TO
George ID. Meiklejohn. Of Nebraska, who
has held the Office for the last four
years. Colonel Sanger, who, with his
wife. formerly Miss Dodge. a daughter
OF Gen. r. G. Dodge, of New York is
now o. guest at Secretary Roots home,
has long been the choice OF the secre-
tary to serve as his assistant in disp0s-
ing or the enormous and rapidly grow
Ing business Of the war department, and
his nomination would have gone to the
senate some time ago had not the ad-
znfnlstra ton feared that the acceptance
Of mis- resignation might injure the pros
poets Of Mr. AeiklejOhn for one of the
two vacant Nebraska senatorships, for
which he is now leading candidate be-
fore the legislature at Lincoln. 1t is
thought now that the announcement
count.
Colonel sanger's nomination may.
therefore, be sent 70 the senate for con-
hrmation in q day or two, and If so,
week Colonel Sanger's great military
experience and legal ability are said to
have been the chief elements which led
to his selection for the Office which,
though already one of considerable dig
nifty and responsibility, it is the inten-
ton of the president and Secretary Root
to make much more important in every
respect.
Since the war department has come to
be the branch Of the government that
spends more money than any two of
the other departments combined. the
need on a thoroughly capable assistant
to the secretary has been most pressing.
The treasury and state departments
each have three such assistants. the
pOstoff1ee has four, the interior two and
the others have one each.
Colonel Sanger at the outset will have
charge Of the recruiting service, which
is now engaged in the work Of raising
the army TO strength Of 10000; of all
matters relating to enlisted men, their
discharges, quarters and rationS, their
courts martial, including the exercise of
clemency, and matters relating to prs
oners at military prisons and peniten-
tiaries; of all claims and accounts of
appointments. transfers and promotions
in the civil service, and everything that
affects the great civil force Of the war
department; the military departments
and the military government in the
Philippines; OF insular customs and
tariffs, also of sales of subsistence and
quartermasters' stores to civilians; mat
tiers relating to national cemeteries.
boards OF survey and open market pur-
chases, and on his Judgment all medals
will be awarded.
Under the contemplated reorganization
OF the war department, which is to be
made in the coming summer, probably
at the end of the current fiscal year, on
June So other duties will devolve upon
him and in addition he must act as
secretary whenever Secretary Root is
absent. The last responsibility Is un-
derstood to be the chief motive for
Colonel Sanger's selection. Is Secretary
Root can not confine himself so closely
to his desk as he has In the past with
out serious consequences to his health.
Colonel Sanger's long service as in
spector general of the national guard OF
the state Of New York, and his fond
ness for military matters, are believed
to fit him for inpor kant work in the war
depa rtment- Colonel Sanger has shown
particular interest in the building UP of
a national reserve, which is q subject
near Secretary Roots heart Colonel
Sanger Is At years old He IS a relative
OF General Sanger, Of the regular army,
who recently took the census Of Cuba
and Porto Rico.