The age-herald., 1899-08-02
WARMLY CONGRATULATED
II Sincerely Wish it Was the Other
 Way,' He Tells Alser.
WHO HANDS HIM COMMISSION
And Informs Him That He Is MT Sec retary While I Become MT. Alger, Sovereign Citizen of the
 United States"

Washington August 1.-Mr. Elihu Root took the oath of office as secretary of war at 10:45 today. The ceremony occurred in the large office of the secretary of war in the presence of Secretary Gage and Hitch cock, Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn, large number of army officers in uniforms 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 department at 1O:4O, accompanied by MT. Root, for whom he had called in his carriage. They went immediately to the secretary's private office, where were Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock, and were soon joined by Adju- tant General Corbin and Major Hoskins, the latter being the military secretary of Secretary Alger. A moment later Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Judge Cole en- tered the room and the judge was formally presented to the new secretary. The com mission bearing date today was in possess sion of Adjutant General Corbin
 Fly this time all of the army officers on duty in the department had gathered in the main office and MT. Root and Secretary AL ger and other members of the party entered the room.
 Congratulated by Alger
 It was 10:45 when MT. Root stood up and took the oath of office. Judge Cole then addressed him as MT. Secretary" and shook hands and congratulated him. Gen. eral Alger then advanced and shook hands most cordially and said, with evident feel ing:
 With all my heart I congratulate you and the administration. You will find around you 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, As- sist5nt Secretary Meiklejohn, General Corbin and Chief Clerk Schofield.
 GFaeral Alger picked up the commission, signed by the president and attested by the secretary of state, appointing MT. Root sec- retary of war.
 Here is your commission" he said with a smile, ''in which you lose your identity and become Mr. Secretary. I go back to become sovereign citizen of the United States and become MT. Alger.~
 T sincerely wish it were the other way" said MT Root, as he accepted the parch- ment.
 Then the officers were presented to Sec retary Root by MT. Victor l.. Mason, the confdential secretary of, the secretary of war. As soon as they were introduced they 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 kind ness and uniform courtesy during the time they had been associated with him.
 General Miles Appears
 General Miles appeared with his staff hn the full dress uniform of the major gen eral commanding the army. He stopped to talk with Secretary Root for some time. longer than any 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 General Alger, shook him cor dially by the hand, bidding him goodbye. General Alger left at 12:45 o'clock today for his home in Detroit.
 The last official act of Secretary Alger was to sign requisition for the allotment Of $2O 900 for transports. Secretary AL ger intended that his last act should be . NOAe0N ao ~oaaana>a