The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-02
NEW SECRETARY OF WAR
Mr.. EIihu Root Took the Oath Of Office
and Aleer Stepped Out.
OATH ADMINISTERED BY JUDGE COLE
MIR. Root Was Heartily ConErntu-
lated by Mr.. A1ger. Who Wished
Him Success.

Washington, August Mr. Elihu Root
took the oath of office as secretary of war
at lO45 this morning. The ceremony oc-
CURED in the large Office of the secretary
of war in the presence OF Secretaries Gage
and Hitchcock Assistant Secretary Meikie-
john and number of army officers In uni
form and other employees and officials.
The oath was administered by Judge Cole
Of the supreme court of the District Oh
Columbia.
Secretary Alger arrived at the war de-
partment at 1910, accompanied by Mr.
Root, for whom he had called in ms car
riage. They went Immediately to the sec
retary's private Office, where secretaries
Gage and Hitchcock were. and were soon
Joined by Adjutant General Corbin and
Major Hoskinson the latter being the mil
itary secretary of Secretary Alger. mo-
ment later Assistant Secretary MeikIe-
John and Justice Cole entered the room ana
the oath of office was taken by Mr.. Root.
1t was 10:45 when Mr.. Root stood up
and took the oath of office; Judge Cole
addressed him as Mr.. Secretary and shook
hands and congratulated him.
General Alger then advanced and shook
hands most cordially and said with evident
feeling; with all my heart l congratu.
late you and the administration. You VIII
find around you here men VINO will uphold
you 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 Hitchcock, Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, Adjutant General
Corbin and Chief Clerk Schoiield. General
Aiger picked up the commission signed by
the president and attested by the secre-
tary of state, appointing Mr.. Root secre-
tary Of war. Here Is your commission"
he said with a smile, handing it to Mr..
Root in which you lose your identity and
become Mr.. Secretary. l go back to be-
come a >-yereign citizen of the United
States and become Mr. Alger."
Il sincerely wish it Were the other way"
said Mr.. Root as he accepted the parch
ment
Then the officers We're presented to Sec
reiary Root by Mr. Victor L. Mason, the
confidential secretary of war AS soon
as they were introduced they shook hands
with General Alger. Nearly all stopped
t. express their regrets upon his retire.
ment and wish him success in the future. !
They also thanked him for his consideTa-
ton and many acts of kindness and uni
form courteE. during the time they had
been associated with him. General Miles
was present with his staff in full dress uni 4
army. He stopped to talk with Secretary
Root some longer than any of the others
Following the presentation of the officers
he civilian officers and the clerks at the
department came in and shook hands with
the secretary and said farewell to General
Ager.
Secretary Gage, before leaving the room,
went up to General Alger and shook him
by the hand, bidding him good
bye. General Alger left at 11;45 for De-
rot. The last official act of Secretary
Alger was to sign a requlsition for the
allotment of 100000 for troops. Secretary
Alger intended that his last act should be
signing the order directing Major Charles
Bird, assistant quartermaster. to accom-
pany the transport Thomas to Manila when
She was ready. He signed such an order.
out the other business was presented a few
M ments later.
Secretary Root did not perform any Off
,ial business today. AS General Alger
'till draws salary for the day as secretary
VI war II was thought best TO postpone of
icial action on the part Of Mr.. Root until
omorrow.