The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-08-01
New Secretary of War Installed
In Office.
Cabinet and Army Officers Pres
ent.
IAME IN WITH ALGER..
late Secretary BestOWs His
Blessing.
Oath Administered by Judge OF
District Court.

Washington, Aug. 1.-Mr. Elihu Root
took the oath of office as secretary of.
war at 10:45 today. The ceremony oc-
CURED in the large office of the secre-
tary of war in the presence of Secre-
taries Gage and Hitchcock. Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, a large number
of army officers in uniform and other
employees and officials. The oath was
administered by Judge Cole, of the su-
preme court of the District of Columbia
Secretary Alger arrived at the war
department at 1910 accompanied by
Mr.. Root, for whom he had called in mis-
carriage. They went Immediately TO
the secretary's private office, where
were Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock.
and were soon joined by Adjutant Cen
eral COrbin and Major Hopkins, the lat
ter being the military secretary of Sec
retary Alger A moment later Assistant
Secretary MeiklejOhn and Judge Cole
entered the room and the Judge was
formally presented to the new secretary
The commission bearing date today was
in possession of Adjutant General Cor
bin.
BY this time all of the army officers
on duty in the department had gathered
in the main office and Mr.. Root and
Secretary ALGer and other members of
the party entered the room.
It was 10:45 when Mr.. Root stood up
and took the oath of office. Judge Cole
then addressed him as Mr. Secretary
him. General Alger then advanced and
shook his hand most cordially and said
with evident feeling: with all my
heart I congratulate you and the ad
ministration You will find around
here. men who will help in the arduous
duties of your position. May God bless
you and give you strength"
Secretary Gage then stepped forward
and congratulated Secretary Root He
was followed by Secretary Hitchcock.
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn, General
Corbin and Chief Clerk SchOfield.
General Alger picked up the commits
sion signed by the president and at
tested by the secretary of state ap-
appointing Mr.. Root secretary of war
Here is your commission" he said
with a smile, handing it to Mr.. Root,
in which you lose your Identity and
become Mr.. Secretary. 1 go back to be-
come a sovereign citizen of the United
States and become Mr.. Alger."
I sincerely wish it were the other
way" said Mr.. Roo as he accepted the
parchment. Then the officers were pre-
sented to Secretary Root by Mr.. victor
L. Mason, the confidential secretary of
the secretary of war.
As soon as they were introduced they
passed on and shook hands with Gen.
eral Alger. Nearly all stopped to ex-
press their regrets on his retirement and
wish him success in the future They
also thanked him for his consideration
and many acts of kindness and uniforms
courtesy during the time they had been
associated with him.
General Miles appeared with his staffs
in the full dress uniform of the major
general commanding the army. He
stopped to talk with Secretary Root for
some time, longer than any of the
others.
Following the presentation of the Of
ficers, 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 General Alger, shook him cordially
by the hand, bidding him good bye
General Alger left at 12:45 o'clock today
for his home in Detroit
The last official act Of Secretary Alger
was to sign a requisition for the alIot-
ment of $4,000 for transports. Secre-
tary Alger intended that his last act
should be signing the order directing
Major Charles Bird, assistant quarter
master to accompany the transport
Thomas to Manila, when she was ready
He signed such an order, but the other
business was presented a few moments
later.
Secretary Root did not perform any
official business today. AS General AL
ger is secretary and draws the salary
for today, it was thought best to avoid
any legal complications by having the
business of the department performed
by Mr.. Meiklejohn as acting secrets tary.-