The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-23
He WROTE TO Mr.. ROOT
URGING HIM TO ACCEPT THE
POSITION.
AlGER TO SERVE UNTIL AUGUST FIRST
Root Will not Come to Washington Yet but
viii Probably Meet the President at
Lake ChampIain the Last
of this Week.

Washington. July 22.-Elihu Root, o.
New York. has accepted the War Port
folio in President Mckinley'S Cabinet.
The telegram of acceptance was receiv-
ed shortly after noon today while See
Rotary Long was with the President.
Secretary Alger had just left.
The tender of the War Portfolio was
made to M. Root last night after the
conference at the White House. AS the
President will leave for the AdirondackS
"Wednesday or Thursday of next week,
il is hardly probable that Mr.. Root Will
come to Washington to confer with MN
before that time. 1t is regarded as more
likely that Mr. Root will meet the Pres
ident at Lake Champlain the latter part
OF the week.
The announcement Of Mr.. Roots APP
pointment was made at the War Depart
ment II was stated that Senator Platt
came to Washington hast evening armed
with authority from AIr. Root to accept
in his name the War Portfolio. 1t is not
expected that the acceptance Will make
any change in the plans Of Secretary
Alger and he Will remain on duty here
until the end OF the present month. be-
iug assisted by Mr.. Meikeljohn, who is
eXnected TO reach Washington this af-
tcrnoon.
Secretary AIger had confidently expect
ed the appointment of Mr.. Root and was
very much pleased at the Presidents
choice. This was evidenced in the fol-
lowing letter which Secretary .Alger adj
dressed Yesterday to his successor:
ashington. July 81
My Dear Mr.. Root:
"All | l;low is that the newspapers
say that you are to succeed me as Seq
rotary of War. Should it come to You
most earnestly urge you to make the
sacrifice and accept the position. With
your great knowledge of law and your
eXcellent health, You can serve the coun-
try in way given TO few men.
Sincerely yours,
(Signed .'R. a. ALGER.
ITO Hon. Elihu Root. New York
Secretary Alger called at the White
House today and for Il short time dis
cussed with the President some appoint
ments io commissions in the volunteer
army. He drove from the White House
direct to the station where he met his
wife. Together they left for Thorndalc
Pa. to s0end Sunday with their daugh
ter
Secretary Algcr this afternoon adj
dressed the following telegram to Mr..
Root ut southampton. upon hearing OF
his acceptance of the War portofolo.
Accept my best congratulations and
thanks"
Secretary Alger is in receipt of a great
many letters and kilograms from persons
i'll every station in life. all touching
upon his retirement from the Cabinet
SO numerous are they that the Secre-
tary finds himself physically unable to
make proper separate responses, and
has requested the Associated Press to
convey an acknowledgement Of his deep
appreciation of the sentiments expressed.
Elihu Root was born February 10Th.
1915. at Clinton. Oneida county. New
York. He graduated from Hamilton
college in the class of 1864, and entered
the New York University law school
He was admitted to the bar in 1861.
since which time he has been in the
active practice Of his profession in New
York city. He was United States attor-
ney for the Southern district of New
York from March. 1883 to July, 1889.
ton of the bar of the city of New York
for a number of years: Vice President Of
the New York Grant Monument Assoc
ciatiGn. at one time President o. the
Republican Club, and is the present
President of the Union League Club.
lie has been Il trustee Of Hamilton col
lege since 1883. and has served as PrcSi
dent of the New England Society in
the city of New York. He was one
Of the most prominent members of the
last New York State Constitutional Con
vcntion. where he served as chairman Of
the Judiciary Committee.
TO WELCOME ALGER HOME.
Detroit, Mich. July 22.At Il largely
attended non-partisan meeting of lead
ing citizens. held in the mayors office
this afternoon. a reception was planned
in honor Of General Ayers return home.
as a token of the esteem in which the
Secretary Of War is held by those who
knew him best.