New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-02
ROOT TAKES ALGER'S PLACE
NEW SECRETARY OF WAR SWORN INTO
OFFICE.
BRIEF CEREMONY AT THE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL AIGER STARTS FOR
DETROIT.

Washington Aug 1--Elihu Root took the oath
of office as Secretary of War at 1O:45 o'clock this
forenoon. The ceremony took place in the large
Office of the Secretary Of War in the presence OF
Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock. Assistant Secre-
tary Mekejohn, large number OF Army oncers
In uniform and other officials and employees Inc
oath was administered by Judge Cole, Of the DIS
trict Of Columbia Supreme Court
Secretary Alger arrived at the War Depart
rnent at 1O4O o o'clock accompanied by Mr. Root
for whom he had called in his carriage. They
went Immediately to the Secretarys private OF
fee where they met Secretaries Gage and Hitch
cock and were soon Joined by Adjutant General
Corbin and Major Hopkins. military secretary 10
secretary Alger. moment later Assistant sec
retary Meik!ejohn and Judge Cole entered the
room, and the Judge was formally presented 10
the new Secretary The commission, when was
dated to-day, was in the possession OF ,he Au'u-
tant General.
OATH ADMINISTERED BY JUDGE COLE
BY this time all the Army officers on duty IN
the Department had gathered In the main o'hce'
and Mr. Root. Secretary Alger and other mem
bers OF the party entered the room Mr. hoot
was then sworn into office Judge Cole au-
dressed him as Mr.. Secretary shooK hahuS
with and congratulated him. General Anger 'hen
advanced shook Mr.. Roots hand most coru'ails
and said with evident feeling: with all my
heart / congratulate you and the Adh'his'ia
ton You will find around you here men WIN
will help In the arduous duties OF your POSITION
May God bless you and give you strene'h'
Secretary Gage was the next to congratulate
Secretary Root He was followed py oecie'a''
Hitchcock. Assistant Secretary MeiKieJon"'
CT
General Alger picked up the commission
signed by the President and attested by 'ne
Secretary of state appointing Mr.. Root Secre-
tary o. War Here is your COMMISSION ne
said. with a smile. handing it to Mr.. Root. IN
,h,cb vou lose vour identity and become Mr..
Secretary. I go back to become sovereign
citizen Of the United States and become MI
Alger"
.J sincerely wish It were the other way" said
Mr.. Root, az he acceIted the parchment
p1Dr1NC FAREWELL TO ALGER.
Then the officers were presented to Secretary
Root by Victor L. Mason. confidential secretary
Of the Secretary of War AS soon as they hau
been introduced they passed on and snooK hahus
with General Alger Nearly all stopped 10 eA-
press their regret for his retirement ana u
wish him great success in the future Ihey also
thanked him for his cOnSlderdtlon anu many
acts Of kindness and courtesy while they hao
been associated with him.
General Miles appeared in the full dress uni
form of the Major General commanding the
Army. and accompanied by his staff. lie
stopped TO talk with Secretary Root longer than
IN, OF the others.
Following the presentation OF the officers. the
civilian officials and clerks OF the Department
came in and shook hands with Secretary Root
and said farewell to General Alger. Secretary
Gage. before leaving the room went up TO GEN
eral Alger and shook him cordially by the hand
bidding him goodby. General Alger left the city
at 12;45 o'clock for his home in Detroit
The last official act OF Secretary Alger was TO
sign reduisition for the allotment OF S2ooD
FOR transports He intended that his last act
should be to sign the order directing Major
Charles Bird Assistant Quartermaster, 10 ac-
company the transport Thomas to Mania when
she was ready. He signed this order, put the
other business was presented a Few moments
later ,,.
Secretary Root transacted no official business
to-day AS General Alger Is Secretary ana
draws salary for to-day, 1t was thought best 10
avoid any legal complications by having the
business of the Departments transacted oy Mr'
Meikletohn as Acting Secretary
General Miles and his staff called on secretary