The San Francisco call., 1899-08-02
ROOT TAKES THE
OATH OF OFFICE
Formally Installed as
Secretary of War.
CONGRATULATED BY ALGER
THE CEREMONY WITNESSED BY
MANY OFFICIALS.
Retiring Secretary Left at Noon for
His Home in Detroit-Meikle-
john Transacts Official
Business.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1. - Mr.. Elihu
Root took the oath of Office as Secretary
of War at 10:45 a. m to-day. The cere-
mony occurred in the large office of the
Secretary of War, in the presence of Sec
retaries Gage and Hitchcock, Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, large number of
army officers in uniform and other en-
ployes and officials. The oath was admin
istered by Judge Cole of the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia
Secretary Alger arrived at the War De-
partment at 1O:40, accompanied by Mr..
Root, for whom he had called in his car
riage. They went Immediately to the
Secretarys private office, where were
Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock, and
were soon Joined by Adjutant General
Corbin and Major Hopkins, the latter be-
ing the military secretary Of Secretary
Aiger. A moment later Assistant Secre-
tary Mefkleiohn and Judge Cole entered
and were formally presented to the new
Secretary The latters commission.
bearing date to-day, was in possession OF
Adjutant General Corbin.
By this time a number of army ofhcers
had gathered in the main office, and Mr..
Root and Secretary Alger and other mem
II was l0:45 when Mr.. Root stood up and
took the oath of office. Judge Cole then
addressed him as Mr.. Secretary and
shook hands and congratula ted him. Gen
erai Alger next advanced and shook his
hands most cordially, saying with eVloent
feeling: o..,,..o-,.,,,
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 Hltchcoc9,
jutant General Corbin and Chief Clerk
General Alger picked up the commits
siCn signed by the President and attest
ed by the Secretary Of State, appointing
Mr.. Root Secretary of War.
Here is your commission." he said
which you lose your identity and become
Mr.. Secretary. L go back to become
sovereign, citizen of the United States and
II sincerely wish it were the other
way" said Mr.. Root as he accepted the
parchment.
Then the officers were presented to Sec
retary Root by Victor L. Mason, the
confidential secretary of the Secretary Of
they passed on and shook hands with
General Alger. Nearly all stopped to ex-
press 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 for his
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 stopped to
talk to Secretary Root for some time long
er than any of the others.
Following the presentation of the officers
the civilian officials and clerks of the de-
partment came in and shook hands with
Secretary Root and said farewell to the
retiring Secretary.
Secretary Gage, before leaving the room,
went up to General Alger, shook him cor
daily by the hand bidding him good-by.
General Alger left at 12:45 o'clock to-day
for his home in Detroit.
was to sign the requisition for an allot-
ment of $4,000 for transports. Secretary
Alger intended that his last act should
be the signing of the order directing Ma
jor Charles Bird, assistant quartermaster,
to accompany the transport Thomas to
Manila when she was ready. He signed
such an order, but the other business was
presented few minutes later.
Secretary Root did not perform any Of
fetal business to-day. AS General Alger
is Secretary and draws the salary for to-
day 1t was thought best to avoid any legal
complications by having the business of
the department performed by Mr.. Meikle-
john as acting secretary. !