Echoes and News [excerpt]

     The Doctors’ Bills.—The sensational press is agitating the subject of the bills of the doctors who attended the late President McKinley. It is to be hoped that the niggardly policy pursued by Congress in the case of President Garfield will not be followed in the present instance.

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     Promotion for Dr. Rixey.—President Roosevelt has notified Mrs. McKinley, through Secretary Cortelyou, that, in pursuance of the intention of the late President McKinley, and in recognition of devoted services, as well as because of eminent fitness, Medical Inspector P. M. Rixey will be appointed Surgeon-General of the Navy upon the expiration of the term of Surgeon-General Van Reypen. The Secretary of the Navy has been requested by the President to instruct Dr. Rixey to make such arrangements as will enable him to continue, if needed, his care for Mrs. McKinley between now and the time of his appointment to his new office. The naval list shows that Surgeon-General Van Reypen will not retire in the ordinary course until November 14, 1902. Dr. Rixey stands No. 28 on the list of naval surgeons. Though Surgeon-General Van Reypen’s retirement from active service does not occur for more than a year, his commission as surgeon-general, which was for a period of four years, will expire on December 18, and Dr. Rixey’s appointment may be expected then.