The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-07-28
MIR. ROOT ACCEPTS.

Formal announcement of the appoint
rotary of War, to succeed General Alger,
has been made. He has notified the Presi-
dent of his acceptance. 1t is also under
stood that he will he in Washington to
formally relieve Secretary Aiger on Au-
gust LIST, though it is probable Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn will be left in charge
of the War Department for short time,
to enable Mr.. Root to close up his private
affairs before permanently taking hold.
Secretary Alger had expected the ap,
pontment of Mr.. Root and was apparent
ly pleased at the Presidents choice. This
was evidenced in the following letter.
which he addressed on Friday to his sue
cessor:
WASHINGToN, July 81, 1899.
Ny Dear Mr.. Root: All I know is what
the newspapers say, that YOU are to sue
coed me as Secretary of War. Should it
come to you | most earnestly urge YOU to
make the sacrifice and accept the position.
With your knowledge of law and your eX-
cellent health, you can serve the country in
Il way given to few men. Sincerely yours,
II. A. ALGER.
President McKinley's selection of Elihu
Root, it is said means division of duties
in the War Department and practically
the creation of a new bureau or depart
ment of the Government. While Cuba,
Porto Rico and the portion of the Philip
pine Islands occupied by the American
forces remain under the exclusive control
of the Executive, there are many perpleX
ing questions of grave Importance con-
stantly arising which demand careful con-
sderation by a Secretary learned in the
law. Mr.. Mckinley, it is said, desires to
have some member of his Cabinet who
shall be able to devote his entire attention
to the problems which have arisen from
the acquisition of foreign territory. He is
without authority to create a colonial sec
retary, so he has advised the plan of divid-
ing the administration of the War Depart
ment.
At the head of the Department is to be
Mr. Root, a lawyer of distinguished abil-
ity, who is to confine himself to the legal
questions and who will act as secretary
for the colonies, under title of Secretary
of War Under him. but practically indie
pendent in all matters affecting the man
agement of the military forces of the
United States, is to be Assistant Secretary
| Meiklejohn, who will be the actual Score.
| tary of War, SO far as the exercise of the
| functions usually pertaining to this posi-
ton is concerned Mr. Root is to formu
late the plans for the government of tho
colonies and Mr.. Meiklejohn is to execute
them after first subduing those which arc
in revolt In matters of detail affecting
| the army, General Corbin is to continue
| in charge, and to him will be left the &C
tive supervision of the Philippine cam
paign.
| When Assistant Secretary Meikleiohn
seconded by Adjutant- General Corbin an(
| the staff and field officers, have conquered
the Filipinos and laid the spoils at Mr.
McKinley's feet Mr.. Root, as the secre
tary for the colonies, will be called upor
to draft legislation for the government o
the islands, to be presented to Congress
Being familiar with conditions in the colo
MES, and all the legal questions involved
among them the constitutional authort,
to acquire and hold colonies, Mr.. Root, i
is said, will frame a suitable report on the
conduct of the war, cmbodying recon-
mendations for the establishment of Il per
manent colonial system. Such 4 task re
quires lawyer.
Perhaps Mr.. Roots task of rcconcilin:
the American people to the acquisition o
the Philippines will be more difficult thar
Mr.. Meiklejohn's task of reconcilng tn
Filipnos to the beauties of colonial GOV
eminent, of which they have had an op
portunity to judge through 300 years o
Spanish occupation.