The Irish standard., 1903-08-15
ROOT TO RESIGN.
Secretary of War to Leave Cabinet
Gov. Taft May BE Selected to
Succeed Him.

| Washington, Aug. 12.-Defore Secre-
tary Root sails for London to sit with
the Alaskan commission he will place
his resignation in the hands of Presi-
dent Roosevelt in order that the presi-
dent may appoint secretary of war
if it is deemed necessary during Mr..
Roots absence. 1t is expected, how
ever, that the resignation will not be
acted upon until after congress meets
The appointment of Mr. Roots success
sor will depend somewhat upon the
length of time that Secretary Root will
be engaged upon the Alaskan boundary
commission.
1t has been known for some time that
Secretary Root intended to retire, but he
did not wish TO leave the department
until the general staff bill was in opera
ton and other matters pertaining to the
department We're we'll under way. 1t
is understood that the matter of his
successor has been discussed and while
nothing official can be obtained i, is
believed that the position will be ten
dered to Gov. Taft
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-
tice in New York. The great questions
that were pending in the war department.
relating mainly to the administration of
the islands acquired from Spain and the
establishment of a government in Cuba,
have been accomplished during Secre-
tary Roots administration. The reor-
ganiZation Of the army under the general
staff plan is now under way and the sec
rotary feels that he has accomplished
the work that he was called on to do
when he became secretary of war.
Oyster Bay. N. V. Aug 12.-Elihu
Root will resign as secretary of war.
the resignation to take effect about the
first of next January. He will be sue
ceeded, unless present plans miscarry,
by Judge William Fl. Taft. now COVER
nor of the Philippines. For long time
Secretary Root has desired. for press
| ing private reasons. to retire from the
cabinet. When Mr.. Roosevelt became
president, Secretary Root indicated his
wish to leave the cabinet within year.
but his friendship for The president
and his interest in pending questions
before the war department caused him
to remain for longer period than he
! had intended. He has not presented
/ his resignation yet and has not in
formed the president when he will pre-
sent it. II can be said that the presi-
dent expects that the country will have
the benefit of Secretary Roots serv-
ices yet for several months, certainly
until the beginning of the next year.
That Gov. Taft will be Mr.. Roots
successor as secretary of war there can
be little or no doubt. He is familiar
with many of the problems which the
secretary of war will have to meet
and solve: he is Il warm personal
+, friend of the president, who has an
abiding confidence in his ability and
patriotism. and il is understood that he
would welcome the change involved.
OF course. his appointment as secrc-
tary of war would ncccssitatc the up-
pOintmcnt of a new president of the
Philippine commission. In all prob
ability Gen. Luke Wright would sue
coed to the presidency of the commits
sion. his work as a member of the
body having been cmincntly satisrac-
tory 10 the administration