The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1903-09-04
Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

WASHINGTON. d. G.. Aug. 81, 1909.
President Roosevelt has just an.
Inonnced, with many expressions Of re-
greet, the resignation OF Sec. Root,
which takes effect January ], The
Secretary has, meanwhile, sailed for
Europe, where he goes TO take up his
duties as a member Of the Alaskan
Boundary Commission. Accompany
ing the admirable letter OF resigna-
tion which Secretary Root sent to the
President and the Presidents most
complimentary acceptance, comes the
information that Judge Taft, Gov
Encouragement Of the Philippines, will
succeed Mr.. Root as Secretary Ut War
and that vice-goyernor Luke F..
Wright will succeed Judge Taft as
Governor General Of the Philippines.
Judge Taft's appointment as Sec
rotary Of War Is regarded as an adj
mirahlc selection and one calculated
to be Of the greatest benefit to tho
adm. nistration aud to the Philippines
whose interests the former Governor
general will be able to present with
the utmost accuracy In the White
House cOuEsels. 1t Is generally be-
lieyed that IN accepting the portf0l-
10 Of war, Judge Taft is making a
considerable personal sacrifice AS
Governor General OF the Philippines
he enjoyed salary and perquisites
which at least met his expenses while
as a member OF the cabinet ia Wash
ingtOn he will be put to expenses far
In excess OF his salary as Secretary OF
War. The appointment OF Judge
Taft to this position is taken to mean
that the President will favor the re-
tentIon by the War Department OF
supervision over Philippine affairs for
some time to come, notwithstanding
the fact that there Is an avowed de-
sire on the part OF some members of
the cabinet TO have the administra-
ton Of the islands divided among
their various departments.
The appointment of General Luke
Wright to succeed Gov. Taft, is re-
garded as characteristic Of the Presi.
dent, Gen. Wright is democrat and
served throughout the war as a Con-
federate soldier, but he has proven
his executive ability and has mani
tested thorough sympathy with the
policy Of the administration In the
Philippines 50 that Mr.. Roosevelt
doubtless felt that it would be diff
cult to find q man equally able to
further the welfare OF the most i'm
portant insular possessions of the U
S and the Generals political afiilia-
tiOns were not taken into consider
alton.
The promotion ii Gen. Wright to
Judge Taft's position leaves vacan-
cy on the Philippine Commission and
those who make predictions say that
it will be filled by Minister C0nger,
now representing the United States
ut Peking. This arrangement would
make 1t possible for President ROose-
velt TO fulfill an old pledge Of Presi-
dent Mckinley who, several years ago
promised the Peking post to VIM. w.
ROckhill, now filing the position of
Secretary Of the Bureau OF American
Republics. Mr.. Rockhill, at one
time secretary OF the Peking legation
his spent many years faniliariznig
himself with Oriental conditions and
has been Secretary Hays most valued
advisor on all eastern questions aud
the Secretary OF State will probably
urge ROckhill's appointment to this
important diplomatic post.
The widely circulated report that
the Postmaster General has made a
new regulation whereby all baggage