The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-18
(By e, C. SNYDER,

Washington, D. c., Sept. 1S-The
promotion of Col. G. c. sniften to a
brigadier generalship and paymaster
general of the army is worthy
recognition of Col. Sniffen's work
since he entered the pay corps in
1871 Col. Sniffen, who is a New
Yorker by birth, having been born on
Manhattan Island, January /, 1874,
came to Washington as a young man
to be clerk in the war department
General Grant was attracted to him
ana made him his assistant secretary
from 1873 to 1877. General Horace
forter, late our ambassador to France
being General Grants secretary. Cen
eral Sninen Immediately upon his ap-
pointment to the pay corps of the
army began a comprehensive study of
the methods then in vogue for the pay
ment Of troops. And being construc-
tive officer whose only ambition was
to make the American pay corps the
pest IN the world he was at once
singled out for preferment. During
the war with Spain, General Sniffen
paid the troops in Cuba, not having
lost penny during that war, although
ne and his associates handled mil
lions. He was the right hand man of
Paymaster General Bates and, while
ne made every effort to see service in
the Philippines, General Bates refused
to let him go, insisting that his work
and his ability was needed in Wash
ington. Upon the promotion of Cen
eral Dodge after the retirement of
Bates. General Sniffen was sent to
New York as assistant paymaster gen.
eral the station which he held when
his appointment was made.
Lieut. General Henry C. Corbin, the
ranking officer of the army, has been
retired by the operation of law on ac-
count of age. General Corbin has
been now in command of the northern
division with headquarters at st.
Louis. The general will make his
home in this city, which has been the
home of his wife's people ever since
they left San Francisco. The general
is building magnificent country
home for himself, one of many that
are springing up in the suburbs of
the national capital. In many partl-
culars General Corbin was par excel
lence the politician of the army. He
was a maker and an undoer of men.
He was President McKinley's buffer"
and during the Spanish American war
as adjutant general occupied an ex-
ceedingly difficult position, but which
he filled with signal credit to himself.
During the days of the Spanish-Ameri-
can war and the succeeding days of the
Philippine insurrection. General Cor
bin was the actual military head of the
army and was highly complimented
for his efficient service during that
trying period. While General Corbin
was imperious in manner and ran the
adjutant generals Office like Car. he
was generally very courteous to the
newspaper profession. aiding the
"boy's' wherever possible with the
news of the day and helpful sugges-
tons. There are those who have en-
deavored to detract from Corbins mill
tary career. charging him with being
carpet knight and shirker of field
service. While it is true that General
Corbin has had longer period of
work at the national capitol than is
given to the American soldier his work
has been of an exceedingly high char
acter. and he leaves the army with
heritage of large accomplishments
The retirement of General! Corbin
makes Major General Arthur Nc