Arizona republican., 1899-09-06


scented has already become apparent.
1t was said when Secretary Root
was first selected that he was chosen
because he was lawyer, and the pres
idant desired a lawyer to handle the
great problems relating to Cuba, Porto
Rico and the Philippines, which would
come under the war department in
| governmental affairs. While 1t is true
that Secretary Root has obtained all
possible information upon the subjects
| of the islands and is looking at them
from a lawyers standpoint, and also
from the standpoint of secretary of
war, he has surprised the entire war
department by taking active charge of
all military affairs.
How long he will continue in this is
not known, and how much he will be
guided by those who are subordinates
in the department cannot be ascer-
tanned, but if any one supposed that ne
was going to authorize anything in
the army without first knowing all
about it he has been mistaken. Sec
rotary Root takes hold of the military
matters with a determination to mas
ter every detail and to understand the
situation thoroughly. Having a broad
grasp of all affairs which come before
a lawyer of large practice, he has not
found it so very difficult to ascertain
military situations. While he must at
present be bothered by small details
and is devoting a great deal of time
to them, he will soon brush them aside
and handle only the larger questions.
1t is this military part of his office
that is occupying so much of his time
and which makes him work so nard.
He remains very late, sometimes until
6 or Z O'Clock, before going to his din
ner, and even then often resumes his
work later in the evening. This in
dustry is quite trying to some CT the
people Of the department, as they have
to stay also, to answer any questions
the secretary may put to them or to
take any orders he may desire to give.
The secretary seems to be the kind
of man that is not going to be hur-
ried into any action, and yet ne is
ready to take active steps upon any
subject when il seems necessary. There
was no delay on his part in the matter
Of Porto Rican relief. He gave speedy
attention to every detail and his orders
were quickly carried, out 1t was quite
a compliment to the new secretary TO
see the comment Of some colonial pa
pers in the English possessions, COM
pairing favorably the speedy action
taken by the war department to afford
relief to our new possession, Porto
Rico, and the slow movement OF Eng
land when relief was needed in some
of her possessions. 1t may be said
that the secretary acted without au-
thority in directing army relief stores
to be furnished these people, but it is
a course that will be approved by the
American people, and no objection will
be made by congress because a little
r,e 80 IL,
the matter of speedy action
Secretary Root has shut himself in
somewhat closer than the farmer sec
rotary. He has put in swinging doors
at the entrance of his Office, which
close automatically, and even the room
of his confidential clerk and privato
secretary is not now overrun by every
body who desires to enter. The sec
rotary fnfids it necessary to keep him
self somewhat more guarded until he
can get a grasp of the affairs of the
department. He is not at all snobbish
or priggish in any way, and an evil
dence Of this is seen in the way he
treats his visitors and the way he at
tends to many OF the little things about
his office
The secretary scarcely ever calls in
a messenger when he wants a window
raised or lowered, or a curtain or
awning put up or down. He doesn't
seem to have time to call in a mes
senger and tell him what he wants
done, but does it quickly himself and
is back again at his work. He doesn't
require very much waiting upon by
the messengers of the department.
When he gets ready to work, the Off
GERS or clerks who are working with
him know that he goes like a steam
engine. He rapidly dictates orders
and letters, and disposes of business
very fast, showing that he has given
attention to those matters and re-
members what he wants when he gets
ready for disposing of business. The
general impression is that the secre-
tary is going to make a great success.
Washington Star.