The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-07-21
ALGER'S SUCCESSOR
A Belief That the Place Has Been
offered to Elihu Root.
ALeER GOES OUT NEXT MONDAY

Attorney General Griggs Puts Out
etus on the Report That He Would
Be Selected, Saying He Would Not
Accept the Position II rendered.
Washington, July 21.-No definite in
formation was obtainable last night a.
to the presidents selection for sue
cessor to General Russell A. Alger as
secretary Of war. This may be due to
the fact that tender of the ONCE is
under consideration by the gentleman
chosen. There is desire on the part
Of the president that General Alger's
successor shall be lawyer of at
tainments and high standing In. his
profession, because of colonial and
other questions involving legal con-
structions constantly arising in tho
war department now that the army is
administering affairs In the islands
relinQuished by Spain. It 10 felt ad-
visable from political point of view
that the new man should come from
New York. which has been without
representation In the cabinet since
Secretary Bliss resigned. The gentle
man whose name has been under most
earnest consideration a. meeting these
professional and geographical require
ments is Mr. Elihu Root, but whether
he has been communicated with on the
subject cannot be learned definitely,
though there is apparently good
ground for the belief that he has been.
The talk that Attorney General
Griggs would be shifted from the de-
partment Of justice to the war depart
ment was put down very effectually
last night by the attorney general him
self, who. when he returned to the city
last evening and when inquired Of ON
the subject, made 1t plain that his
wishes were that he should not be con-
sidered in this connection.
The attorney general has no thought
Of becoming General Alger's successor,
and 1t is almost certain that he would
decline the war portfolio should the
president tender 1t to him, which he
(GriggO regards as altogether i'm
probable, II not altogether out of the
question. Mr.. Griggs reached Wash
ington from the east at $3.50 O'Clock
last evening, and after dining at the
Metropolitan club went to his office.
In answer to inquiries he said that he
had not returned at the request of the
president and had not heard from him
since he left the city several days ago.
He had no knowledge whatever of the
presidents purposes in regard to the
selection Of Secretary Algers success
sor but as for himself he would remain
at the head of the department OF JUS
tice.
Secretary Alger probably will leave
Washington early next week, severing
his official connection with the war de-
partment on Monday. when he expects
to turn over his Office to Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, who will reach
here from the west on Saturday and
act as secretary of war until a per-
manent secretary assumes the office.
Secretary Alger will spend the remain
ing days of his service in closing up
number of matters with which he is
familiar, including some
knotty bridge and engineering pro-
5ects. He maintained silence yesterday
respecting his resignation and the
causes which led to its tender, and it |
is understood If he takes the public at |
all into his confidence it will not be
until after he is entirely out of office. |