Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-01


of official duty and become a mere citizen
of the republic. Mr.. Root, in taking up the
burden which his predecessor had cast off,
seemed to feel the responsibilities which
confront him, and said so in words.
Secretary Alger arrived at the War De-
partment at 1910. accompanied by MI
Root, whom he had called for in his car
riage to bring to the department with him.
They went Immediately to the Secretary's
private office, where were Secretaries Gage
and Hitchcock and were soon joined by
Adjrtant General Corbin and Major Hop
kins, the latter being the military secretary
of Sc retary Alger. A moment afterward
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Judge
Cole passed into the room, and the judge
was formally presented to the new Secre
tary.
The Oath Administered.
Shortly before IL o'clock Secretary Alger
and Mr.. Root walked from the Secretary's s
private office to the large room, the princi-
pal one, of the suite which comprises the
quarters of the Secretary of War. Here
~umber of officials of the department had
assembled, including Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn and Chief Clerk Schofieid. Sec
retary Gage and Secretary Hitchcock were
present and stood before the desk, in COM
pany with General Corbin and Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, while the oath of
office was administered.
Justice Cole of the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia had been requested by
Secretary Alger 10 induct the new Secre-
tary into office. He was introduced to Mr..
Root by Secretary Alger, and the two took
position in front of the large desk which
occupies the center of the ROOM Mr.. Root
upheld his right hand, while Judge Cole
propounded the GI estion required by law,
an affirmative answer to which is promise
to uphold the Constitution of the United
States and defend it against all enemies.
Mr.. Root declared that this he would do
with the help of God. Seating himself at
the desk, Mr.. Root then signed the oath Of
office, which is to be filed in the archives of
the government. Judge Cole then shook
hands aud congratulated the new Secretary.
Secretary Root Congratulated.
Gen. Alger then grasped the hand of Mr..
Root and shook it warmly.
with all my heart" said Gen. Alger,
with deep feeling in his voice, Il congrat-
ulate you anI the administration. You will
find around you Lere men who will help
you 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 fol-
lowed by Secretary Hitchcock, Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, Gen. Corbin, Mr.
Schotield and Mr.. Victor Mason.
Gen. Alger then passed around to the
other side of the desk AID picked up the
commission, signed by the President and
attested by the Secretary of State, appoint
iiiB MI ItoJl secretary OF w ar.
Here is your commission said Gen.
Alger, with a smile, handing it to Mr.. Root
in which you lose your identity and be-
come Mr.. Secretary. l go back sovereign
citizen of the United States and become
Mr.. Alger."
Il sincerely wish it were the other way"
said Mr.. Root as he accepted the parch-
ment.
Officers and Officials Presented.
Gen. Alger and Secretary Root then stood
together, while the officers and officials of
the department came in and were presented
to their new chief. Gen. Corbin, in full
dress uniform, stood by to assist in the in
PRODUCTIONS, which Were made partly by
him, by Gen. Alger and by Mr.. Mason. A
long line of officers, in uniform, and carry
ing their swords and hats, filed through the
room and We're presented to Secretary Root
Many of them needed no introduction, be-
ing personally acquainted with the New
Yorker.
Gen Miles, in the full dress uniform of
major general, United States army was
cordially greeted by Secretary Root, and re-
manned in conversation with him for sew
eral minutes. Gen. Ruggles and the officers
OF the Soldiers Home Brigadier Gen. Geo.
II. Rarries commanding the District of CO.
lumbia militia, and the members of the in
sular commission, We're also presented to
the Secretary.
Secretary Gage, before leaving the room.
went up to Gen. Alger and shook him cor
daily by the hand, bidding him good-bve.
Many of the officers of the army, as well as
civilian officials of the department. said
goodbye to Gen. Alger, and for a time n
double levee was in progress in the room.
the visitors welcoming the new Secretary
and saying farewell to the departing one.
Gen. Alger left at 12:45 O'Clock today for
his home in Detroit.
Among those who called to greet the new
Secretary and say adieu to General AIver
were Assistant Secretaries Adee ana Sri
dler Of the State Department and Assistant
Secretary Allen of the Navy DEPARTMENT.
Assistant Secretary Meikl h and Ad-