The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-03-07
NEw AssIsrANr sEcRErAnY.
Root Wants Col, W. c. Sanger In
Place OF G. d, Melklelohn.

Root Wants Col W, c, Sanger In
Place OF G, d, Melklelohn,
NEW YORK, March GA dispatch u
the Tribune from Washington says;
The president has selected VIM. Carey
Sanger, OF New York, for assistant Sec
retary Of war, In succession to George
d. Meiklejolin, OF Nebraska. who has
held the office for the last four years.
Colonel Saager, who with his wife for
merlv Miss Dodge. a daughter of Gen-
eral c. c. Dodge. OF New York. Is nov
a guest at Secretary Roots home. las
long been the choice OF the secretary
to serve as his assistant in dlSpoSuS OF
! the enormous and rapidly growing BUS
iueSS OF the war department ard his
! nomination would have gone "a the
senate some time ago had not the ad-
! minislration feared that the acceptance
of his resignation might injure the
prospects OF Mr.. Meiklejohn for one of
the two vacant Nebraska senatorShips
for which he Is now a leading candidate
before the legislature at Lincoln. 1t Is
thought that the announcement need
10 longer be delayed. Colonel Sanger'S
nomination may, therefore, b. sent to
the senate for confirmation In a day or
TWO, and If So he may take charge OF
his office next week.
Colonel Sanger's great military eX-
nerience and legal ability are said to
have been the chief elements which led
to his selection for the office. which.
though already one Of considerable dis
nifty and responsibility, it is the inten-
ton Of the president and Secretary
Root to make much more important
in every respect.
Since the war department. has cous
10 be the branch Of the government
that spends more money than any other
two OF the other departments combined,
the need OF thoroughly capable assis-
tant to the SECRETARY has been mos,
pressing The treasury and state de-
partments have each three such assis-
tants the post office has four the in
terror two and the others one each
Colonel Sanger at the outset will have
charge of the recruiting service. which
Is now engaged in raising the army To
a strength Of 100000; Of all matters re-
lating 10 enlisted men. their discharges. |
quarters and ratioEs. their courts mar
tial. including the exercise OF ciem-
ency at military prisons and penlten-
tlaries; Of all claims and accounts; Of |
appointments, transfers and promotions |
in the civil service and everything th't !
affects the great civil force Of the war /
department; the military department |
and the military government in The |
Philippines; Of msular customs and the |
tariffs. also Of sales of subsistence and |
stores to civilians; mat
ters relating 10 national cemeteries, |
boards Of survey and open market pur-
chases and on his judgment all medals
will be awarded.
Under the contemplated reOrganiza-
ton of the war department, which is
to be made in the coming summer, prob
ably at the end Of the current fiscal
year on June 30. other duties will de-
volve upon him and in addition he
must act as secretary whenever Sec |
retary Root is absent. The last motive |
is understood to be the chief motive for
Colonel SanGer's selection. as Secretary
Root cannot confne himself 50 closely
To his desk as he has in the past With
out serious consequences 10 his hcath.
Colonel Sangers long service as in
spector- general Of the national guard
Of the state Of New York and his fond
ness for military matters are believed
to fit him for the Important work in
the war department.. Colonel Sanger
has shown particular interest in the
building up Of a national reserve, which
Is a subject near Secretary Roots
heart. Colonel Sanger Is ~ years old;
he is a relative Of General Sanger, Of
the regular army. who recently took
the chiefship Of Cuba and Porto Rico.