The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-28

Oyster Bay, N. Y, August 25.-Secre-
tary Root under date Of August 19 pre-
sented his resignation formally to the
president. The resignation was ac-
cepted by the president with the under
Standing tina Mr. Roat continue as
secretary of war at least until January
Is.
Governor General William H. Taft,
OF the Philippines, Will succeed Secre-
tsry Root as secretary of d
President Roosevelt today authorized
the following statement:
The president some months ago ten
dered the secretaryship of war to Judge
Taft and at that time it was arranged
that he would succeed Secretary Root.
Secretary Root will go out of office some
time in January and Judge Taft will as
sumo the duties of the office shortly at
Isl
The president also authorized the
publication of the correspondence be-
tween him and Secretary Root concern
Jig the Iatters resignation. In his let
IT, OF resignation Mr.. Root says ne
= ~ 4S4ltS - LrlIIt ~ pllHdlc lLlS ana
thinks mis- resignation should be in the
presidents hands before his departure
for England to attend the sessions of
the Alaskan boundary commission.
Mr.. Root concludes:
- shall carry with me undated 10y
atty TO your administration, confidence
IL the sound conservatism and patri-
otto unselfishness of your policy and
enduring gratitude for the kindness and
consideration with which your friend
ship has hOnOred me-"
To this letter the president replied at
length saying in part:
1t Is hard indeed for me 10 accept
your resignation; and l do so not only
with keen personal regret, but with a
lively understanding of the gap your
withdrawal Will create in public life.
My sense OF personal loss is very great;
and Yet my sense of the loss to the ma
ton as a whole IS even greater. You
have been over four years secretary of
war. l wonder if you yourself realize
how much you ave accomplished dur
ing that period. If you will turn to
your first reports and will read there in
;hc recommendations you made i'll order
that the army might be put on an eff
fusLtve basis You can not but be pleas
edy the way in which these recon-
m~eHiatiOns have now been adopted by
congress rs we'll as by the administra-
tiOn and have become enacted into law
CT crystaIized into custom.
Your duties have included more
than merely the administration of the
department and the reorganization of
the army on an effective basis. You
have also been the head of the depart
Sreut which dealt with the vast and
ReIicate problems involved IN our pos
Session of the Philippine islands and
your success in dealing with this part
of your work has be ensignal as your
success in dealing with the purely mill
itary problems.
Moreover aside from your work in
these two divisions of the government
service. 1 appreciate most keenIy the
invaluable advice and assistance you
Rave rendered me in innumerable mat
tiers OF weight not coming directly in
your departmental province"
WRIGHT PROJECTED.
Oyster Bay. y. Y. August 25.-Gen-
oraI Luke +. Wright, of Memphis.
Tenn. vii succeed Judge Taft as gov
eruor general OF the Philippines when
the latter becomes secretary of war
next January in succession TO Elihu
Root.
PRESIDENT Roosevelt this VenIn au-
thOrized the Associated Press to make
the announcement that the post had
been offered to General Wright and
that ne had accepted il.
General Wright is now a member Of
the Philippine commission and vice
h governor OF the stands. He Is q life
Z long democrat.
President Roosevelt spoke in terms
of nigh praise OF General Wright's
ability and fitness for the position of
governor general. He entertains 8
SnCere regard for him both personally
and officially Both the president and
Secretary ROo regard Generel Wright
as a man Of proved executive ability.
his services as a member of the Phil
-ppine commission having been OF .
distinguished character. During Gov
error Tafts extended sojourn in this
country. General Wright was acting
governor general and his conduct Of
the office was = source OF congratulate
lation 10 the administration.
General Wright is popular not only
with Americans in the Philippines.
but also with the Filipinos. Who Ole
him only second in their estimation to
Governor Taft.