The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-02
SECRET AIRY OF WAR ROOT
he Takes the Oath and Is For
mally Indicted Into Office.
MANY PLEASANT WORDS
Ex-Secretary Alger Congratulates His
Successor and Wishes Him All Man
ner oFSuccess-Gen M les Present
in Full Dress Uniform.

Washington, Aug. 1-Elihu Root took
the oath of office as secretary of war at
10: As this morning The ceremony oc-
CURED in the large office of the secre-
tary of war in the presence of Secre-
tarys Alger, Gage, Hitchcock, Assistant
Secretary Meikeljohn, a large number
of army officers in uniform and other
employees and officials The oath was
administered by Judge Cole of the dis
trict supreme court, after which Alger
advanced and shook hands with the
new secretary, and said with evident
feeling: with all my heart l congrat-
ulate you and the administration. You
will find around you here men who will
help in the arduous duties of your posi-
ton. 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 Mekeljohn, Adju-
tant General Corbin and Chief Clerk
Schofield. General Alger picked up the
commission signed by the president and
attested by the secretary of state ap-
pointing Mr.. Root secretary of war
Here is your commission" he said,
with a smile, handing it to Mr.. Root,
lin which you lose your identity and
become Mr.. Secretary. l go back to
become a sovereign citizen of the Unit
ed States and become Mr.. Alger."
II sincerely wish it were the other
way" said Mr.. Root, as he accepted
the parchment.
Then the officers were presented to
Secretary Root by Victor L. Mason.
the confidential secretary of the secre-
tary of war. AS soon as they were in
troduced they passed on and shook
hands with General Alger. Nearly all
stopped to express their regrets upon
his retirement and wish him success
in the future They also thanked him
for his consideration and many acts of
kindness and uniform courtesy during
the time they had been associated with
him.
General Miles appeared with his staff
in the full dress uniform of the major
general commanding the army. He
stepped to talk with Secretary Root for
some time longer than any of the
others.
Following the presentation of the Off
| GERS the civilian officials and clerks oil
| the department came in and shook
| hands with Secretary Root and said
| farewell to General Alger. shook him
| cordially by the hand, bidding him
| goodbye General Alger left at 12:4S
| o'clock to-day for his home in Detroit
The last official act of Secretary Al
ger was to sign a requisition for the
| allotment of $40 900 for transports
Ex-Secreary Alger intended that his
last act should be signing the order
directing Major Charles Bird, assistant
| duartermastert accompany the trans
port Thomas to Manila, when she wa
ready. He signed such an order. bu
| the other business was presented few
minutes later.
Secretary Root did not perform any
| official business to-day. AS Genera
Alger is secretary and draws the sal
airy for to-day, it was thought best t
avoid any legal complications by hav
ing the business of the department per
formed by Mr.. Meikeljohn as actint
| secretary.