The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-02
SIMPLE CEREMONY
Attends the Turning over OF the
War Department
BY TEE RETIRING SECRETARY
10 His Successor. ElIhu ROot-Alger's
cordiai Congratulations = Cabinet
omcers Join in Welcoming the New
secretarT-Gcneral AIger Immedi-
ately Leaves for his Home in Detroit

WASHINGTON. Aug. I.-Mr. Ellhu
Root took the oath Of office as secretary
o. war At 1925 to-day. The ceremony
occurred in the large Office OF the secre-
tary Of war in the presence Of sscTs-
taFies Gage and Hitchcock, assistant
Secretary BleiklejOhn. 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 Column
bIa.
Secretary Aigsr arrived at the war
department at 1870. accompanied by
Mr.. Root, for whom he had called in his
carriage. He went Immediately to the
Becretary's once, where were secre-
taries GagO and Hitchcock and were
soon Joined BY Adtutant General Cor
BIN and Major Hopkins, the latter be-
ing the military secretary Of Secretary
Alger. A moment later Assistant Sec
rotary MeikIeJohn and Judge Cole en-
tered the room and the Judge was for
mally presented to the new secretary.
The commission bearing date to-day
was in possession OF Adjutant General
corbln.
BY this time all Of the army officers
on duty In the department had gather
ed in the main ONCE and Mr.. Root and
Secretary Alger and other members of
the party entered the room.
It was lO:46 when Mr.. Root stood up
and took the oath Of once. Judge Cole
then addressed him as Mr.. Secretary, 4"
and shook hands and congratulated
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 administration. You will
ind around you here men who Will help
In the arduous duties OF your position.
Nay God bless you and give you
strength"
Secretary Gage then stepped forward
and congratulated Secretary Root. He
was followed by Secretary Hitchcock,
Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn. Gen
eral corbin and Chief Clerk schoheld.
General AIger picked Up the commits
sion. signed by the President and at
tested by the secretary of state, APP
pointing Mr.. Root secretary Of war.
Here Is your commission" he said
with u smile, handing It TO SIR. Root.
in which you lose your Identity and
become Sir. Secretary. I go back &c
become q sovereign citizen OF the United
States and become Mr.. Alger."
81 sineereiy wish 1t were the Other
vey." said Mr.. Root. as he accepted thG
parchment.
Then the officers were presented &c
Secretary Roo, by Mr.. 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 Genera! Alger. Nearly al
Stopped TO express their regrets upor
his retirement and wish him great sue
cess In the future. They also thanked
him for his consideration and many
acts Of kindness and uniform courtesy
during the time they had been associl'
ted with him.
General Miles appeared with his star
in the full dress uniform Of the major
general commanding the army. He
stopped to talk with Secretary Root soi
some time, longer than any Of the
others.
Following the presentation Of the on
GERS, the civilian oficlals and clerks ni
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 Alser shook
him cordially by the hand, bidding him
good bye. General AlEer left at l2;4S
o'clock to-day for his home in Detroit.
The last oflcial act Of Secretary Al
ger was TO sign a requisition for the al
iotmsnt of $4,000 for transports. Sec
rotary 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 few moments
later.
Secretary Root did not perform any
ohiciaI business to-day. As General
Alger is secretary and draws the salary
for to-day It was thought best to avoid
any legal complications by having the
t,,.t,ag, ~ the denartu,ent performet