Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1899-08-05
OATH OF OFFICE.
Elihu Root Becomes Secretary
of War.
Congratulated by mr.. Alger, who
Handed the New CRbinst-Omcer !
His Commission - Employees
Presented to the New chief.

Washington, Aug. 2.-Mr. Elihu Root
took the oath of Office as secretary of
war at 10:45 Tuesday. The ceremony
occurred in the large Office of the sec
retary of war in the presence of Sec
retaries Gage and Hitchcock Assist
ant Secretary Meikelohn, a large num-
ber of army officers in uniform, and
other employees and officials. The
oath was administered by Judge Cole,
of the supreme court of the District of
Columbia.
Secretary Alger arrived at the war
department at 10:40, accompanied by
Mr.. Root, for whom he had called in
his carriage. They went imediately
to the secretary's private Office where
were Secretaries Gage and Hitchcock,
and were soon joined by Adjt. Gen.
Corbn and Maj. Hopkins, the latter
being the military secretary of Secre-
tary Alger. A moment later Assist
ant Secretary Meikeljohn and Judge
Cole entered the room and the judge
was formally presented to the new
secretary. The commission bearing
date yesterday was in possession of
Adit. Gen. Corbin. BY this all of the
army officers, on duty in the depart
ment, had gathered in the main Office
and Mr.. Root and Secretary Alger and
other members of the party entered
the room.
1t was 1O:45 when Mr.. Root stood
up and took the oath of office. Judge
Cole then addressed him as "Mr. Sec
retary" and shook hands and congrat-
ulated him. Gen. Alger then adj
vanced and shook his hand most cor
daily and said, with evident feeling:
with all my heart 1 congratulate
you and the administration. You
will find around you here men who
will help you in the arduous duties of
your position. May God bless you
and give you strength"
Secretary Gage then stepped for
ward and congratulated Secretary
Root. He was followed by Secretary
Hitchcock, Assistant Secretary Meikel-
john, Gen. Corbin and Chief Clerk
Schofield. Gen. Alger picked up the
commission, signed by the president,
and attested by the secretary of state,
appointing Mr.. Root secretary of war.
"Here is your commission" he said
with smile, handing it to Mr.. Root.
sin which you lose your identity and
| DGPOlle ME. go DdCh W
become a sovereign citizen of the Uni
ted States and become Mr. Alger. "[
sincerely wish it was the other way"
said Mr.. Root as he accepted the
parchment.
Then the officers were presented to
Secretary Root. AS soon as they were
introduced they passed on and shook
hands with Gen. Alger. Nearly all
stopped to express their regrets upon
his retirement and wish him great
success in the future, They also
thanked him for his consideration and
many acts of kindness and uniform
courtesy during the time they had
been associated with him.
Gen. Miles appeared with his staff
in the full dress uniform of the major
general commanding the army. He
stopped to talk with Secretary Root
for some time longer than any of the
others. Following the presentation
of the officers the civilian officials and
.lerks of the department came and
shook hands with Secretary Root and
said farewell to Gen. Alger. Secretary
Gage, before leaving the room, went
UP to Gen. Alger, shook him cordially
by the hand, bidding him good bye.
Gen. Alger left at 12:45 o'clock Tues
day for his home in Detroit The
last official act of Secretary Alger was
to sign requisition for the allotment
of $4,000 for the transports.
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