The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-07-23
ROOT TAKES THE PORTFOLIO.
NEW YORKER GETS THE PLACE As
ALGER's SUCCESSOR.

shortly After Noon Yesterday.
President rendered the AppOint-
ment the Night BefOre-AIGer
Urged Root to Accept the Place.
A Sketch of EIihu Roots Public
and Professional Career.
Washington, July 22.-Elihu Root OF
New York has accepted the war portfolio
in President McKinleys cabinet. The
telegram of acceptance was received short
ly after noon to-day, while Secretary
Long was with the President. Secretary
Alger had just left.
The tender of the war portfolio was
made to Mr.. Root .ast night, after the con-
ference at the White House AS the Pres
ident will leave for the Adirondacks Wed
nesday or Thursday of next week. it is
hardly probable that Mr. Root win come to
Washington 90 confer with him before
that time. 1t is regarded as more likely
that Mr.. Root will meet the President a,
Lake Champlain the latter part of the
week
The announcement of Mr.. Roots ap-
pointment was made at the war depart
ment. 1t was stated that Senator Platt
came TO Washington last evening armed
with authority from Mr.. Root to accept
in his name the war portfolio. 1t is not
expected that the acceptance will make
any change in the plans of Secretary AL
ger, and he will remain on duty here un-
til the end of the present month. being
assisted by Mr. Meiklejohn, who is ex-
pected in Washington.
Secretary Alger had confidently expect
ed the appointment of Mr.. Root and was
very much pleased at the Presidents
choice. This was evidenced in the fol-
lowing letter which Secretary Alger ad-
dressed yesterday to mis- successor:
Washington, july 2L-My Dear Mr.
Root; All l know is what the newspapers
say that you are to succeed me as Secre-
tary of War Should it come to you, l
most earnestly urge you to make the sac
rifice and accept the position. With your
great knowledge of law and your excellent
health, you can serve the country in a way
given to few men. Sincerely yours.
'R. A Alger.
"To Hon. Elhu Root, New York"
Secretary Alger called at the White
House to-day and for a short time dis
cussed with the President some appoint
ment5 to commissions in the voluntary
army. He drove from the White House
direct to the station, where he met his
wife. Together they left for Thorndale,
| Pa to spend Sunday with their daughter.
Secretary Alger this afternoon address,
! ed the following telegram to Mr. Root at
! Southampton, upon hearing of his accept
| ance of the war portfolio: Accept my
| best congratulations and thanks"
Secretary Alger is In receipt of great
many letters and kilograms from persons
in every station in life, all touching upon
his retirement from the cabinet. So numer-
Gus are they that the secretary finds him
self physically unable TO make proper sep
arate responses and has requested the AS
sociated Press to convey acknow Judgement
of his deep appreciation of the sentiments
expressed.
Who Mr.. Root Is.
| Elihu Root is a leading member of the
| New York bar. He took a prominent
| part in the recent constitutional conven-
! zion of his state, and for some time was
! United States attorney for the Southern
! district of New York He was vice presi-
| dent of the New York Bar Association for
a number of years. He has also been
president of the Republican Club, and IS
| now president of the Union League CiuD
of Hamilton College. Mr.. Root was born
Is, 1S45 His father, Oren Root, was pro-
fessor of mathematics in Hamilton. The
| son was graduated from that college in
/ 1864, adopted the profession of law, and
| settled in New York city, where he has
| since practiced his profession with a con-
| siderable degree of success.