The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1899-07-21
ELIHU ROOT
The Famous New York Lawyer
May Succeed Alger.

Washington. July W.-No definite infor-
nation was obtalnaole tonight as 10 the
presidents selection OF a successor TO Gen
oral r. A. Alger as secretary Of war.
This may be- due 20 a fact that a tender
of the office is under consideration by
the gentleman chosen. There is a desire
on the part OF the president that General
Aleers successor shall be lawyer of at
tainments and high standing IN his pro-
fession because of the colonial and other
questions ivolviuR legal constructions con-
stantly arising In the war department
now that the army is administering affairs
In the Islands rellnquished by Spain It
Is felt advisable from political point OF
view that the new men should come from
New York which has been without rep
resentation Ia The cabinet since Secretary
Bliss resignel. The gentleman whose name
has been under most earnest considera-
tion as meeting these professional and
geographical requirements Mr.. Elihu Root
whether he has been communicated with
on tho subject cannot be learned definitely
though there Is apparently good ground
for belief that he has been
The talk that attorney general Grlggs
would be shifted 20 the war department
was put down tonight by the attorney
general himself who returned 10 the city
this evening and. who, when inquired OF
made It plain that his wishes were that
he should not be considered In this connec-
| ton
The attorney general has no thought OF
becoming General Tigers successor and Il
IS almost certain that he would decline
the war portfolio should the president ten
d. Il TO him. which - CGriggs) regards
] .s altogether improbable n not altoge-
| r''-r out Of the question Mr. Griggs
reached Washington from the east at %
o'clock this evening anSsqfter dining at
the Metropolitan club. went 10 his Of
| fee 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 10 the Sc
lection Of Secretary Algers successor but
as for himself he would remain at the
head Of the department Of justice.
Secretary Alger probably will leave
| Washington early next week. severing
his official -ssbnnection with the war de-
partment on Monday when he expects to
turn over his office to assistant secretary
| Meikeiohn who will reach here on Satur-
| day and act as secretary Of war until q
| permanent secretary assumes the duties
OF the office. Secretary Alger maintained
silence today respecting his resignation
and the causes and It is understood that
liz he takes the public at all into his con-
fdence Il viii not be until after he Is en-.
tirely out OF office He Is in the best OF
spirits today and apparently was feelinl
refreshed at the relief from the strair
under which he has been for some time.
London Jgly 20-The Times describe
the resignation of Secretary Alger az q
decided victory for public opinion and
pubic morals over 20 teal organIza-
| tious
BY resigning Secretary Alge~ has pfsa-
| tcally allowed judgment 10 90 agains,
| him by default and mas .cAefed the at
ministration from a responsibility tina
was assuming serious Irag sons II iy
| me first ana most essential step toward
he publication OF the repd liican party
and indeed. Of the whole political system
of the United States
u Is Tor the citizens Of the United
States TO take care that the removal o.
q superficial symptom does not divert
| their attention from the root OF the mis-
chief
The Daily News has a similar eddoi-
ial II says:
He might dehed public opinion 10 the
last but that Mckinley means to stand
for a second term and has 20 be on his
good behavior with the electorate.
The papers generally regard the res.s-
nation rs prelude 20 generous policy
20 the Philippines and the recall ~ Gen
eral Ous