The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1899-07-27
NEW SECRETARY OF War
Elihu Root, of New York, Sue
ceeds Alger.
A CELEBRATED LAWYER.

a CLLLDlNA lLD La W Liz
AIeer Writes Him a Letter Of Ccneratu
, lation-New Secretary Will Not -
Take Charge Yet.
WASHINGTON, July 22.-Elihu
Root, of New York, has accepted the
war portfolio in President Mckin
ley's Cabinet. A telegram of &C.
ceptance was received shortly 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 last night, after
the conference at the White House.
AS the President will leave for the
Adirondacks on Wednesday or
Thursday of next week, it is hardly
probable that Mr.. Root will come to
Washington to confer with him
before that time. 1t is regarded as
more likely that Mr.. Root will meet
the President at Lake Champlaln
the latter part of the week.
The announcement Of Roots ap-
pointment was made at the war de-
partment. 1t was stated that Sena-
tor 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
Alger and he will remain on duty
until the end of the present month,
being assisted by Mr.. Meiklejohn,
who is expected to reach Washing
ton this afternoon. Secretary Alger
had confidently expected the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Root, and was
much pleased at the Presidents
choice. This was evidenced in the
following letter, which Secretary
Alger addressed yesterday to his
successor.
Washington, D. c., July 2l, 10 a.
m.-My dear Mr.. Root: All 1 know
is what the newspapers say, that
you are to succeed me as Secretary
of War. Should it come to you 1
most earnestly urge you to make
the sacrifice and accept the position.
With your great knowledge of law
and your excellent health, you can
serve the country in way given to
few men. Sincerely yours,
r. A. ALGER.
To the Hon. Elihu Root, New
York.
Secretary Alger called at the
White House to-day and for short
time discussed with the President
some appointments to commissions
in the volunteer army. He drove
from the White House direct to the
station, where he met his wife. To-
gether they left for Thorndale,
Penn, to spend Sunday with their
daughter.
Secretary Alger this afternoon ad-
dressed the following telegram at
Southampton, upon hearing of his
acceptance of the war portfolio:
Accept my best congratulations
and thanks"
Secretary Alger is in receipt of a
great many letters and kilograms
from persons in every station in life,
all touching upon his retirement
from the Cabinet. So numerous are
they that the Secretary finds him
self physically unable to make sep
crate responses to them, and has re-
quested the Associated Press to con-
vey acknowledgment of his deep
appreciation of the sentiments ex-
pressed.
Elihu Root was born February Is,
1915, at Clinton, Oneida county,
New York. He graduated from
Hamilton College In the class of 1854,
and entered the New York Univers
ity Law School. He was admitted
to the Bar in 1867, since which time
he has been in the active practice of
his profession in New York city. He
was United States attorney for the
Southern district of New York from
March, 1888 to July, 1895. He was
vice president of the Association of
the Bar of the city of New York,
vice president of the New York
Grant Monument Association, at one
time president of the Republican
Club, and is the present president of
the Union League Club. He has
been trustee of Hamilton College
since 1888, and has served as presi-
dent of the New England Society in
the city of New York. He was one
of the most prominent members Of
the last New York State Constitu-
tional Convention, where he served
as chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee.
ALGER's FRIENDS AT HOME.
DETROIT, July 22.-At a largely at
tended, non-partisan meeting of
leading citizens held in the mayors
office this afternoon reception was
planned in honor of Gen. Alger's
return home as token of esteem in
which the Secretary of war is held
by those who know him best.
"Doctor," sighed the fat man, II
guess it's no use. I've tried every
thing you've prescribed and grown
feshfer every time. Your latest
recommendation was to ride horse
back. I've done so faithfully for a
month, but I've taken on eighteen