Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22
ELIHU ROOT CHOSEN
Will Succeed General Alger as Secre-
tary of War.
Mr.. PLART'S TRIP FROM new YORK
Conference Last Night at the
White House.
THE NEW OFFICIALS CAREER

It was officially announced this afternoon
that Elihu Root of New York had been ten
dered and had accepted the appointment of
Secretary of War. to succeed Russell A.
Alger of Michigan, resigned.
The announcement of Mr.. Roots appoint
ment was made at the War Department.
1t was stated that Senator Platt came to
Washington last evening armed with au-
thOrity from Mr.. Root to accept in his name
the war portfolio. Probably that was the
reason for the intimation thrown out by
some of the members of the cabinet that it
would probably be several days yet before
the appointment could be made. 1t was the
intention that the announcement should not
be made until Mr.. Root had signified that
he would accept the place, and in the or
binary course. that might easily have taken
two or three days.
Mr.. Roots Acceptance.
President Mckinley received a dispatch
about 12:3O from Mr.. Root accepting the
offer of the position. 1t is understood that
NJ. Root will be ready to come to Wash
ington to assume his duties the 1st of Au-
gust. He will go to Lake Champlain the
last of next week and will remain some
time with the President discussing the sit
uatiOn of affairs in the War Department.
He may first come to Washington.
The formal tender of the position to Mr..
Root was made last night, after confer
ence with Senator Platt at the White
House. Senator Platt reached here from
New York last night just before 0 o'clock,
having been summoned by the President.
He went at once to the White House, and
remained with the President some time.
He declined to say anything except that
the President had decided upon his man,
q President
agreement
The President did not make the formal
tender until he informed that Mr..
Root would accept. Mr.. Root was in New
York when the Presidents offer reached
him early this morning and he wired his
acceptance shortly afterward.
Secretary AIger Informed.
Secretary Alger was at the White House
when the telegram from Mr. Root was re-
ceived, and the President courteously
showed him the telegram. Secretary Long
and Postmaster General Smith called later
and received the same information.
Cabinet members who were asked about
the appointment this afternoon gave their
hearty approval. and said they felt positive
that Mr.. Root would add strength to the
administration.
The appointment of Mr.. Root was fore
shadowed in The Star yesterday. and he
was practically announced as the Presi-
dents selection. Ambassador Horace POr-
ter the first man to come to the Pres
idents mind after he had quickly deter
mined to give the position to New York,
which was stated in The Star the day after
Secretary Alger had resigned.
1t is not expected that the acceptance will
make any change in the plans of Secretary
Alger. and ne will remain en- duty here un-
til August l. when his resignation takes ef-
feet. being assisted by Mr.. Meiklejonn, who
is expected to reach Washington this after
noon
Secretary AIger Urges Root to Accept.
Secretary Alger had confidently expected
the appointment Of Mr.. Root and was very
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 81, 1899.
My Dear Mr.. Root:
All l know Is what the newspapers say
that you to succeed me as Secretary of
War. Should IT come to you most earn
estly 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 a
way given 10 few men
Sincerely yours,
r. A. ALGER.
Hon. Elibu Root. New York.
No Change of Policy.
M-. Root IS now at his summer home at
Southampton. y. Y. As has been hereto
fore Indicated in The Star. it is not consid-
GFtt EEviE tndt the CldnSc IN me neaQ OF
the War Department viii involve any
terilI change ~ the present military policy
OF the guvernmt NJ in the Philippines or in
any OF our other island possessions. There
vii! be no cessation in the preparations
Euw being made for The mobilization of a
volunteer army Of about 15GOo men in the
Philippines in the fall for the purpose of
assisting the regular troops under command
OF General Otis in the short. sharp and de-
ciSive campaign which has been determined
upon for the complete suhjIgation of the
lr..,
archipelago II is expected that this vol
unteer army. composed Of ten regiments re-
cruitcG in this country. and two to be main
ly recruited in the Philippines will be or
ganized and equipped by the 10Th proximo
and that the movement of those a'sed in
this country toward Manila will begin
promDtlys thereafter. II is stated at the
War Department that the incoming Secre-
tary will find all the preparations to this
end in an advanced state of progress by the
time he enters upon the discharge of his
official duties
Career of EIihu Root.
Elihu Root was born February 15 1915
at Clinton. Oneida county, NY. His father
was professor of mathematics in Hamil-
ton College. and IL was at that institution
that EIihu Root was graduated A few
years ago he caused to be erected upon
the college grounds memorial to his faith
S3I.OO
Elihu Root was admitted TO the bar
shortly after graduation and went to New
York sity 10 practice. He was a man of
activity and industry He devoted some at
tenton to politics as well to law. and in
q short time became one OF the prominent
figures in New York city.
He took UP corporation and real estate
law as his speC!aities and in these he soon
acquired success in one case, that of the
Hooking valley, the prize contested for was
$S,Wr.0pp. He was attorney for Judge Hill
ton III the Stewart will contest and he
represented The Hamilton family in the
proceedings brought by Eva Mann as the
widow Of Robert Ray Hamilton.
He was also employed in the Hoyt and
tayerw eather Will contests and represent
ed o Brien * Clark in their suits against
the city He is counsel for many corpora
tions. among them the Astoria Gas and the
Metropolitan Railroad companies
In politics he has always been a republi-