Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-13
GEN. 0'RE|L[Y IS OUT
Retires for Old Age After As
Years Service in Army.
HIS EXCELLENT RECORD
Medical Department Made Efficient
by Surgeon General.
TRIBUTE TO CLERICAL CORPS
Chief Compliments Them for Ability
and Says There Are No Bet
ter Under Government.
his EXCELLENT RECORD
TRIBUTE TO CLERICAL CORPS

Brig. Gen. Robert Maitland OReily,
who has served as surgeon general OF the
army since September =, 1902, will be
placed on the retired list tomorrow on
| account of age, after forty-five years
service.
By special act of Congress Gen. O'Reilly
| retires with the rank of major general.
He will be succeeded as surgeon general
by Col. George H. Torney of the medical
department, for many years in charge of
| the general hospital at the Preside of
San Francisco.
Record in Medical Department.
Gen. O'Reilly's administration as sur
geon general has been marked by an I'M
precedented advancement OF the interests
and efficiency Of the medical department
and by greatly increased appreciation of
tho Importance of that essential branch
of the service ON the part of Congress,
the army and the public.
The REORGANIZATION Of the Medical Corps
on satisfactory basis, the establishment
| of a Medical Reserve Corps Of represent
alive physicians throughout the country,
| the abolition of the anomalous position OF
contract surgeons by commissioning them
| In the reserve corps, the initiation OF the
system of anti-typhoid vaccination ana
| finally the requirement OF very large
quantity of reserve field equipment IN
readiness for war have been the principal
achievements of the surgeon general S
Office under his direction.
Pays Tribute to Clerks.
A high compliment to the clerks OF his
office is paid by Gen. OReilly. In vale
dictory communication to his chief clerk
he speaks of the splendid efficiency Of the
clerical corps. He says:
Before leaving the office there is a
matter which have, and for a long time
have had, on my mind, but which was not
accomplished solely on account OF a mis-
understanding as to the scope ana extent
of the circular Of instruction In regard TO
the annual reports of the chiefs OF de-
partments. Through this misunderstand-
ing all reference to the clerical force OF
the Office has been omitted.
Il now desire, so far as possible, TO re-
pair that regrettable omission and TO ask
YOU to explain its cause to all concerned.
It only remains for'me to express my ap-
probation of the devoted and 1nteiIgent
work which has been done by the clerks
during my incumbency of the surgeon
Seneralcy
.There has never been anything but an
earnest desire to do the work of the Of
| flee and to do 1t promptly and we'll. There
| has never been a call for extra work, out
of hours and on holidays that has not
| been received cheerfully and willingly:
1T do not think that the government has
| more faithful and intelligent employees
| than those who are on duty in this office
They have my thanks and my continuous
| interest In their welfare.
| II wish them all success and good lot
tune, and ask you to say so to each one
Of them for me"
Gen. o'Reilly's Career.
| Gen. O'Reilly was born In Philadelphia
| in 1915 of distinguished Irish family. set
tied in the United States since before the
revolution. He served as medical cadet
in the Army Of the Cumberland, 1S64-1s65
and was commissioned assistant surgeon
in 1867.
| Accompanying recruits to San Fran
cisco in 1867, by way Of the isthmus, nj
served for two years in the field In Arr
IONA. He was chief surgeon of the expe
dition against the Sioux in 1874, served II
| the labor strikes Of 1877. and In the Slou1
campaign Of 1S9O-91.
| Gen. O'Reilly was on, duty in Washing
| ton during both terms of the Cleveland ad
| ministration, and was the personal physl
| clan and close friend of President Cleve
land. During the Spanish-American wal
he was chief surgeon of the 4th Army
| Corps, member Of the eyacuatng commits
/ sion at Havana, and chief surgeon OF thu
division of Cuba.
/ He was appointed surgeon general sep
TENDER Z, 1902, while chief surgeon, De
partment of California, and was reap
pointed in 1906.