The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-08-03
Alrer Out. Rect In.


The retirement Of Russell \. A lger
from the off e of Secretary Of War and
the installation Of Elihu Root. Of New
York, as his successor oil last Tuesday
at Washington. ID o, were marked by
greater ceremony and more incidents
than are usual on such occasions.
There WAS something very impressive
in the scene when Mr. Alger. turning
10 his successor as the Latter finished
taking the oath Of office, uttered fer
vent blessing on him Around the two
men were grouped number of public
officials and IL crowd OF army officers.
The military men were uniformed and
the gold lace on their coats gave at
tractiveness to what might otherwise
have been a mere sombre, perfuncicry
ceremony
Mr.. Alger and Mr. Root came to the
War Department together about II
o'clock and remained for short time
in the Secretary private Office. where
they were Joined by Secretary Gage
Secretary Hitchcock. Assistant Secre-
tary Meiklejohn. and AdJutant General
Corhin Then Mr. Alger and Mr.
Root went to the Secretary reception
room where a orowd ot officers and en-
plOyes were waiting 10 sec the cere-
mony and bee received Justice Cole,
Of the Supreme Court Of the District
of Columbia administered tie oath
When Mr.. Root had nodded his head
in acIuiescence with the solemn words
repeated by Justice Cole. the latter
turned tn the new Secretary and said :
mir. Secretary. congratulate you and
hope you Will have the utmost success. "
MR.. ALGER'S BLESSINGS.
Mr.. Root bowed his thanks, and
turned TO Mr. Alger, who had grasped
his hand mir. Secretary" said Mr.
Alger in voice that vibrated with
feeling. Il thank you with all my
heart. God bless you and give you
strength Mr. Root made no response.
The presentation Of the officers Of the
army on duty in the War Department
in aud near Washington then began.
This was also ceremony Of leaye-tak'
ing as Mr.. Alger was to depart for De
troit Immediately after the reception.
The several generals commanding staff
departments led the officers Of their
corps
Among the officers present were ::
General Miles and his aide-de-camp.
Lieut. Col Francis Michler and Lieut..
Col Marion p. Maus
ALGER AND MILES SHAKE HANDS.
The greatest interest was in the APP
pearance Of Gen. Miles Much curl
osity was manifested in the room as to
how Mr.. Alger and General Miles
would greet each other. When General
Miles appeared, followed by his staff,
there was a craning Of necks among
the crowd and both he and Mr. Alger
were watched closely To anyone I'M
acquainted with the fact that the re
firing Secretary Of War and the MAJOR
General Commanding the Army have
not spoken since the day General Miles
LIFT Washington for Santiago, more
than year ago, the meeting Of the
two men would not have been notice
able
Those present who expected to see
Mr.. Alger and General Miles ignore
each other were disappointed. They
shook hands After they had shaken
hands Mr. Alger presented General
Miles to Mr.. Root. and then went on
chatting with some Of the bureau chiefs
Of the department.
1--WE have often dined together, but
| never thought we should meet under
conditions like these, said Mr. Root
70 General Miles
Mr.. Alger said good.by to Mr.. Root
when the reception was over and went
to his residence He left Washington
at once for Philadelphia.