The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-26
SECRETARY ROOT T0RES|GN
He Will Tender RESIGNATION Before
Sailing For England.
TAFT MAY Be HTS SUCCESSOR
The Resignation Will Take Edeet When
ever the President Sees Flt-Change is
Not Expected Until Congress Meets -
Root Member Of the Alaskan Bonnd-
arv


Root q Member of the Alaskan Bonnd-
ary Commission.
Washington, D. C.-Before' Secretary
Root sails for London to sit with
the Alaskan Boundary Commission he
will place his resignation in the hands
of President Roosevelt in order that
the President may appoint Secretary
Of War if it is deemed necessary dur
ing Mr.. Roots absence. It is expected.
however, that the resignation will not
be acted upon until after Congress
meets. The appointment Of Mr.. Roots
successor will depend somewhat upon
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.
tice in New York City. The great
questions that we're pending in the
War Department, relating mainly to
the administration Of the islands ac.
Quired from Spain and the establish
ment Of a government in Cuba, have
been disposed Of during Secretary
Roots administration. The reorgani-
Zation of the army under the general
staff plan is now under way, and the
Secretary feels that lie has accom-,
plished the work that he was called on
to do when he became Secretary Of
War.
While Secretary Root is in London lie
will remain in communication with the
War Department, and matters pertain
ing to the General Staff end other im-
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 and his successor ap-
pointed ut that time, and il the situa-
tion in the War Department becomes
such that Secretary is needed to take
charge of affairs, one will be appointed
earlier.
It is believed here that there will be
q great deal of delay in the consldera-
ton Of the Alaskan boundary case and
that the United States commissioners
may be detained in London several
months.
1t Is understood that the matter of
his successor has been discussed, and.
while noting official can be obtained.
it Is believed that the position will he
rendered to Governor Taft of the Phil
ippines.
Oyster Bay, L. I. 1t is understood
here that the rcsignation Of Mr.. Root
will take effect about the 1st Of jan
uary and that he will be succeeded.
unless present plans miscarry by Judge
William H. Taft, now Governor OF the
Philippines.
For long time Secretary Root has
desired, for pressing private reasons.
to retire from the Cabinet. When Mr..
Root became President Secretary Root
indicated his wish to leave the Cabinet
within q year, but his friendship for
the President was so stauncl and his
interest in pent ing questions before
the War Department 80 deep that be
was persuaded to remain for longer
period than he had intended.
Even now he h.s not indicated to the
President just hen he may leave the
Cabinet, but he and the President have
discussed the subject many times and
have a mutual understanding regard
ing it. It can be said that the l'FeSi-
dent expects that the country will have
the benefit of Secretary Roots services
vet for several months, certainly until
the beginning Of the next year.