New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-09
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
AN ESTIMATE OF ELIHU ROOT.
How Ex-Secretary Of War Is Regarded in
Washington

To the Editor Of The Tribuns.
Sir: The loss OF Washington has become the gain
OF Eew-York. IN the return TO your city OF Elihu
Root. late Secretary OF War. Let me say few
words as to how hs IS regarded here.
Let not him that girdeth on his harness. boast
himself as he that putteth Il off," Is excellent ad-
vice. and has a wider scope than the attitude OF
the man himself who has undertaken any task
Il he has been put forward by party as
ISOLATION. TO FIJI a position accomplish "a result.
It is safer and wiser not to pass Judgment on him
until he has completed what he set out to do. or
failed IN the attempt
The time has when the American people.
without entering upon controverted political Ques-
tons or discussing the policy Of expansion. for
which Mr.. Root has consistently stood. form a
Just estimate OF his administration Of his great
Office
1t is safe to say that no other Secretary Of War
has accomplished much for the army SO I'M
pressed himself upon its organization and person
neil II f. not assumed that he originated the TO
forms which he has by persuAsion-almost By
force-led Congress adopt They had been IRE
quently urged. and substantially comprised IN
recommendations made many years ago by General
Upton. Mr.. Root comprehended their Importance
the benefit they would be to the army. and
70 the country. and by his untiring patiencs and
boundless tact his great ability and knowledss OF
men. and his trained skill advocate. was able
to convince Congress that they should be put IN
tho form OF law. As q result. the worn out and
affairs have been carried on has been discarded.
incongruities done away with. long standing fric-
ton terminated. and the entire service reinvigorat-
and started upon n career.
Not only has the regular force been improved but
its relation TO the militia has been drawn much
closer and new life and spirit infused into the
militia ITSELF To have accomplished these things
alone sufficient monument TO any man. but
Mr.. Root has had IN addition great problems 10
meet end and perplexing questions to de-
termine In discharging tho responsible duties
thrown upon him IN connection with the manage
nent of our new possessions. It was an untried
field with no precedent TO guide him. He has prac-
titically been their governor and whatever may be
thought OF the policy OF acquiring them he has
managed them under most difficult and trying con-
ditions with prOblty. hrmness and wisdom
In all general questions affecting the policy or
the administration with which Mr.. Root has been
connected he has been recognized as n wise ana
conscientious counsellor. and has doubtless welded
greater influence on the whole than any other one
49,. -
He entered upon his public career with New
York reputation a clever and successful at
tornev and astute politician He leaves II with a
solid and well established national fame "a broad
minded farseeing constructive statesman. who has
ieft rs marx fo- All time upon the Institutions and
stotute books OF his country. Such results are wei
worth the break they made necessary in his pro
fessionaI career, which he re-enters with inc
nlaudIts and best wishes OF his countrymer ana
with the certainty the largest measure OF success
VTashinSton FEB 5 1904 ID. c.