The Penn's Grove record., 1903-08-14
ISECRETARYR ROOT TORESIGN
He VIII Tender RESIGNATION Before,
Sailing For England
TAI MAY Be HIS SUCCESSOR

The R~estgnatlOn Will rake Emf Uhar
ever the President Sees Fit-Chanpe "a
Not Expected Until Congress Meets
Root a Member of the Alaskan Bopnd.
airy Commission.
Washington. D. C.-Before Secretary
Root sails for London to sit with
the Alaskan Boundary Commission be
will place his resignation in the hands
IF President Roosevelt in order that
the President may appoint a Secretary
of Wal if it is deemed necessary dur.
ing Mr.. Roots absence. 1t is exnectod
however, that the resignation will NOT
be acted upon until after Congress-
meets. The appointment Of Mr.. Roofs
successor will depend somewhat unon
the length of time that Secretary Root
will be engaged upon the Alaskan
Boundary Commission.
Secretary Roots desire to leave pub-
lie life is based largely on personal
grounds. His family does not like the
life in Washington, and the Secretary
desires also to return to his law prac.
flee in New York City. The great
questions that we're pending in the
war Department, relating mainly TO
the administration of the islands ac-
uuired from Spain and the establish.
ment of a government in Cuba. have
been disposed of during Secretary
Roots administration. The reorgani-
cation of the army under the general
| staff plan Is now under way, and the
Secretary feels that he has accom-.
plished the work that he was called on
to do when he became Secretary of
War.
While Secretary Root is in London he
will remain in communication with the
War Department, and matters pertain.
ing to the General Staff and other i'm
portant affairs will be referred to him.
If the sittings Of the Alaskan Commits
sion extend beyond December / it is
likely that the Secretary's resignation
will be accepted I'D his successor APP
pointed at that time, and If the situa-
ton in the War Department becomes
| such that a Secretary is needed to take
charge of affairs, one will be appointed
earlier.
It is believed here that there will be
a great deal Of delay in the considera-
ton Of the Alaskan boundary case and
that the United States Commissioners
NAV be detained in London several
months.
It is understood that the matter of
his successor has been discussed. and,
while noting official can be obtained,
1t is believed that the position will be
+opJorod fo Govoruor Toff af tho Dill
ippines.
Oyster Bay. L. LIT is understood
here that the resignation Of Mr.. Root
will take effect about the LIST of Jan.
nary and that he will be succeeded,
unless present plans miscarry by Judge
William III. Taft, now Governor Of the
Philippines.
For a long time Secretary Root has
desired, for pre- ssing private reasons
| to retire from the Cabinet. When Mr.
Root became President, Secretary Roo
indicated his wish to leave the Cabinet
within a year, but his friendship fol
the President was so staunch and his
interest in pen( ing questions before
the War Department so deep that he
was persuaded to remain for a longer
period than he had intended.
Even now he his not indicated to the
President just vhen he may leave thu
Cabinet, but he and the President have
discussed the subject many times ani
haHe OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES regard
ing 1t. 1t can be said that the rresi
dent expects that the country will have
| the benefit of Secretary Roots service:
yet for several months, certainly unit
the beginning Of the next year.