Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/31

Rh authorized by Congress of deceased members thereof and other public officers.

National Bank Redemption Agency. — Thomas E. Rogers, Superintendent. Receives and makes expert examination of all burned and badly mutilated currency, except national-bank notes, presented for redemption. 3. Secretary of War. — Russell A. Alger, of Michigan, born in Ohio, Feb. 27, 1836; colonel of Fifth Michigan Cavalry during the Civil War, and brevetted brigadier-general and major-general for gallant services; Governor of Michigan 1885-86; appointed Secretary of War March 5, 1897.

The Secretary of War performs all duties relating to the military service; he has supervision of the United States Military Academy at West Point, of the national cemeteries, and of all matters relating to river and harbor improvements, the prevention of obstruction to navigation, and the establishment of harbor lines.

The military bureaus of the War Department constitute a part of the military establishment, and have officers of the regular army at their head, while the Secretary and his immediate assistants are civilians as a rule.

Assistant Secretary of War. — George D. Meiklejohn. Performs such duties as are prescribed by the Secretary or as may be required by law.

Chief Clerk. — John C. Scofield. Has charge of official mail and correspondence, and performs duties enjoined by law or assigned him by Secretary.

Disbursing Clerk. — William S. Yeatman. Pays salaries of clerks and employees.

The divisions immediately connected with the Secretary's office are those of Correspondence, Requisition and Accounts, Supply, Record, and Appointment.

The headquarters of the army, Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, commanding, are attached to the War Department.

Adjutant-General. — Brig. Gen. Henry C. Corbin. Promulgates all orders of a military character of the President, Secretary of War, and the Commanding General of the army; receives reports and returns pertaining to army; and prepares commissions, appointments, and acceptances of resignations for issuance. Inspector-General. — Maj. Gen. Joseph C. Breckinridge. Inspects all military commands and stations, the schools of application, the military department of all colleges and schools at which officers of the army are detailed, all depots, rendezvous, armories, arsenals, fortifications, and public works of all kinds, so far as they are carried on by officers of the array.

Judge-Advocate-General. — Brig. Gen. G. N. Lieber. Receives, reviews, and causes to be recorded the proceedings of all courts-martial, courts of inquiry, and military commissions; reports upon applications for clemency in cases of military prisoners, and examines, revises, and drafts charges and specifications against officers and soldiers.

Quartermaster-General. — Brig. Gen. M. I. Ludington. Provides transportation, clothing, equipage, horses, mules, wagons, vessels, forage, stationery, and all stores and property for the army, and all clothing and equipage for the militia; constructs necessary buildings, wharves, roads, and bridges at military posts.

Commissary-General of Subsistence. — Col. John F. Weston (acting). Has administrative control of the subsistence department.