New-York tribune., 1902-05-24

LBY TELEGRAPH To THE ThIBUNE.l
Washington. May 23-The President has
abolished the practice in vogue for the last
twenty years of having army officers act as
Secretary Of War. This action first became
known to-day. when Secretary Root went TO
Annapolis Assistant Secretary Sanger being
still in New-York where ne went several days
ago Under ordinary circumstances. In the ap-
sence Of the Secretary and the Assistant Secre-
tsry General Miles General Corbin or General
Gillespie would have filled the temporary
vacancy. but to-day all War Department mall
requiring the secretarys approval was held up.
( except requisitions which were signed by the
chief clerk under special designation.
4 Under the last five administrations it has
been customary for the President to designate
& temporary substitute for each Secretary of
War, invariably selecting the senior officers In
Washington for that purpose. President Nc
KinIcy followed this course September 10.
1900 in the following executive order:
In accordance with the provisions of Section
119 Of the Revised Statutes, as amended by an
act making appropriations for the legislative
executive and judicial expenses of the govern
ment approved August .. 1852 l22 stats 25o,
Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles, conInaho-
ing the army Of the United States. Is author
ized and directed TO perform the duties OF
Secretary of War during the Illness or tempor-
ary absence from the seat Of government by the
Secretary of War. whenever during such illness
or absence the Assistant secretary OF war Is
also absent; and, in accordance with the same
provisions. Major General Henry e Corpn
ladjutant general OF the army, is authorized and
directed 10 perform the duties of Secretary OF
War whenever during such illness or absence
the Assistant Secretary of War and the Lieu
tenant General Commanding the army ar are -y glso
absent WILLIAM MhlNLf1i'
Last summer in General Miies's vacation. and
when General Corbin was in the Philippines
President Mckinley, shortly before he was shot
in Buffalo issued the following executive order:
In accordance with the provisions Of Section
l79 Revised Statutes. amended by act ap-
proved August >, 1882 (twenty-second Statutes
at-Iarge 23s). Brlgadier General George l. Gil
'lespie chief OF engineers. United States army,
IS authorized and directed 10 perform the duties
|of Secretary Of War during the temporary ao-
sence from the seat OF government OF the >eCre-
tary of War and Assistant Secretary Of War
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion August % 1901
To-day il was disclosed. on account Of the fact
that for the first time Secretary Root and As
sistant Secretary Sanger were simultaneously
absent, that the foregoing orders were rescinded
five months ago by the following executive
order:
The executive orders Of August 20. 1901. and
September 90 authorizing and directing certain
officers TO perform the duties Of the Secretary or
War during the Illness temporary absence
from the seat of government of the Secretary OF
War and the Assistant Secretary of War are
deemed 10 be no longer operative, and are here
by rescinded THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
Executive Mansion, Dec ~. lVVl'
Another order. published to-day. provides that:
During the authorized absence of the chief Of
any bureau of the War Department the senior
ioflcer Of the department corps whose chier
is absent on duty in said bureau, is, by direc-
tion Of the President, under Section Lib of the
Revised Statutes. empowered TO take charge
hereof and perform the duties of the chief OF the
department or corps. the case may be- during
such absence, but Will not change or modify
existing rules regulations governing the busi-
ness of said bureau, give orders or instruc-
tions tending establish new rules. without
first in each case, obtaining the approval Of the
Secretary of War.
The only effect of this change is that hereto
fore the senior officer who succeeded temporarily
might have been detached duty, and the only
department it affected that OF the Adju-
,tant General Under the new order. Lieutenant
Colonel George Andrews Assistant Adjutant
iGeneral, was to-day acting in General Corbin's
place. Heretofore the duties would have been
performed by Colonel Thomas Ward, the next
ranking officer of the corps. Colonel Ward is
iAdjutant General at headquarters Of the army
and as such Is directly under the orders OF Lieu
tenant General Miles He is, therefore. pre-
suned 70 be less familiar with General Corbin's
work than the latter's immediate assistant,
lieutenant Colonel Andrews.