The San Francisco call., 1899-07-22
SENATOR PLAIT
CONSENTS TO THE
APPOINTME
although n He Urged Gen
er1l F. v. greene for
the Portfolio.
Will Be RECOMPENSED
New Member Of the CdbiDet
Called Upon to Conduct the
Most important Branch
Of the Government
Special Dispatch to The Call.

The President, it is said, has deter
mined to have legal rather than a
military Secretary of War, and co
that end will tender the place in the
Cabinet made vacant by Secretary
Alger's resignation to Mr.. Elihu Root
of New York rather than to Colonel
Roosevelt.
The President, without Loubt, is the
best judge of his own necessities. He
has succeeded in demonstrating pref
| ty well to the satisfaction of the
country that soldier Secretary can
not wage war with marked success to
the administration. It will be hoped
that lawyer Secretary will better
succeed in unraveling the constitu-
tional tangle into which the admin
istration is plunged.
"a EW YORK. July 21-Elihu B.
N Root of New York, to be Secre-
u tary of War. vice Russell A AL
= 7 ger, resigned
Formal announcement Of this
appointment will be made tomorrow.
Senator Platt's hour and a half confer
ence with the President tonight re-
suited in the New York Senator giving
his approval of the decision previously
reached by the President, after a con-
sultation with all the members of his
Cabinet to place Mr.. Root at the head
of the War Department. Senator Platt
was summoned to Washington by the
President for the purpose of ascertain
ing whether Mr.. Roots appointment
would be entirely agreeable TO him.
But for the desire of the President to
be courteous to. the New York Senator
and retain friendly relations with him,
the appointment would have been an
nOunced to-day.
Senator PIatt made it known to the
President that General F. V. Greene was
his first choice for the war portfolio,
and he presented some strong reasons
why a soldier rather than a lawyer
should be at the head of that branch
of the Government. 1t is intimated
that before he became converted to the
Presidents preference for lawyer he
secured the promise of another appoint
ment of less Importance than a Cabi-
net office, but which the Senator par
ticularly desires.
The Senator would not intimate to-
night what concessions he had OBJ
taineL. but he said after leaving the
were thoroughly in accord as to the
result reached. PIatt declined to say
who had been agreed upon.
You will have to see the President
if you want to know tonight who the
next Secretary of War will be- said
Platt.
1T has been understood here that
you were not unfriendly to the appoint
ment of Mr.. Root" 1 observed.
General Greene was my first choice"
the Senator stated.
But it is understood here that the
President had determined to appoint a
lawyer"
so I have discovered" laughingly
replied the Senator.
Would Mr.. Roots appointment be
agreeable to you?"
Any good New York man would be
satisfactory to me. No l cannot tell
you who has been decided upon, all
that 1 can say, is that the President
and l are entirely in accord in this
matter"
The selection of Mr.. Root is due en-
tirely to the Presidents desire to have
at the head of the War Department
broad legal mind capable of dealing
with the many important questions
arising out of the administration of the
colonies. From what the President
knows of Mr.. Roots reputation as
lawyer he believes that he is just the
man for the place. He considers that
the War Department will for the next
two or three years be the most import
ant branch of the Government service.
He believes also that there is a great
political future for the man who takes
the office and successfully administers
it. Naturally, the President proposes
to continue as chief to
give close attention to the conduct Of
the war in the Philippines. but in all
matters of policy Mr.. Roots advice
will, of course, be very acceptable to
him.
In the administration of military af-
fairs Mr.. Root will be assisted by Ma
ior General Miles and Adjutant Cen
eral Corbin, and the President is look
ing for complete harmony Of action be-
tween these officials