The Weekly orb., 1899-08-06
THE NEW SECRETARY OF WAR.

Emu Root, of New. ork, having signihed his acceptance Of the war portfolio, the country stands ready to give him unqualified support in administering his office. He will not be judged in advance. The president be- lieves him to be the best man for the trying position and the nation has confidence in his judgment, There are many things in the new secretary's favor to inspire popular faith in him in his new position. He is Il man of eminent and varied abilities, While he attained his fame as a lawyer, he is recognized as man of excellent judgment, independence, energy and resolute in the performance Of everything he und crtakes another thing greatly in his favor is that he mas never hured as trading, scheming poli- tician, and 1t is reasonably certain that un- der Secretary Roots administration prac- tieal politics will not hereafter figure in the War Department any more than will per- sonal faVor!tism and prejudces.
 It is doubtless true.that a very large DOT tion of the American people adhere to the theory that in time of war an experienced soldier should be at the head of the WarI e. partment. But, after all, that may be sim ply theory based on no very substantial foundation. Campaigns in the field are not " at Washington, at least that has not been the experience in former wars. Admins trative or executive ability was what made Edwin Nj. Stanton c great war secretary. The same quality may be possessed by Secre- tary Root, who is in Lo sense a military man.
 1t Is intimated that under the new order of things Gen, Miles will be accorded his proper place as the head of the United States army. He may not be sent to the Philippines as ac- tive commander of the new forces there, but 1t is said he will be consulted in military af- fairs generally, directing the organization of new commands, the movement of troops and the many other matters that constantly require direction by men of experience and sound Judgment. Almost any secretary of War who fully realized his responsibility, and desires to conscientiously and success fully administer his trust, would naturally avail himself of the knowledge and experi- ence of man like Gen. Miles.
 Secretary Root assumes his office under circumstances peculirly difficult and trying No matter by whose fault, it is undeniable that the War Department under Mir. Alger's administration, fell under popular disre- pute. All coniiderce in it was lost. If the attacks on the department had been confined to the political enemies of the administra- tion the situation would have been less seri- ous, but during the past few weeks the warmest supporters of the president were among the most urgent in demanding Q rad ical change, There is no longer any doubt that even the other cabinet oficers in so far as they properly could, gave the president to under stand that change in the War De- pertinent had, in their opinion, become an urgent necessity.
 Mir. Root comes to the office unhampercd by personal or political obligations, and his record in public and private life gives every reasonable guarantee that the welfare of the army and the best interests of the nation will command all his energies ill the per- formaiiue of his strying duties as Secretary of War, The country looks forward hopefully and with confidence to the speedy inaugura- tion of new methods in the Wer Department and a more aggressive and successful prose- pufinu Df tho w IF In xba pl,ili,pi,.a