Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-06

heine made upon the political chessboard
MIR Roots return to the cabinet at this time
is fraught with singular significance. To
some-in view of Mr.. Roots strong desire to
leave the cabinet and retire from public life
less than two years ago-his return is tam
tamount to a Ceclc ration that in 1898 he will
he a candidate fer the presidential nominal
ton. Hardly any one of prominence in pol
itics today but VII admit that Mr. Root S
re-entrance into the cabinet has changed
the entire aspect OF the presidential struS-
gle OF 1.jS and brought to the foreground
"A man who, if lie but says the word viii
count for great de II and Will have arrayed
around him the s;ronscs, kind of backing
for the greatest gift within the possession
of the Am. rican people.
It must not tie forgotten that Mr.. Root
in returning to Washington at this time an
nounces the voluntary r'linqu!shment OF a
law practice :hat was fast making him a
foremost member of the American bar. MI
Roots patriotism is of the highest and
most UnseIGsh order. He remained in the
Roosevelt cabinet at great financial loss TO
himself for Il long enough time to owe
that. But those familiar with the sltua-
ton consider that il is not reasonable to
believe that MIR Root, after once resignins
his official position and rcsuming the prac-
tice OF the law, would throw il all over in so
short Il time and return TO washington at
to cblige his friend. Theodore Roosevelt, and
to fu!iI his conception Of the duty of an
American citizen.
Looking to 1903.
1t Is this. then that makes tie return Of
Mr. ReGt at this time OF more than ordi-
nary interest 1t is this that tas given
every presidential aspirant whose name has
been coupled even casually with the mage
figures .'l9us' tie worst sort OF cold chills
And they do not deceive themselves. They
remember the remarkable eulogy raid
Elihu Root by PreS.d mt Roosevelt when II
his Secretary of W ar retired to private IRE
less than two years ago; trey OBSERVE the
manner in which the President urged the
portfolio of State upon Mr.. Root ana they
entertain no de.usions as to what the
chief executives influence Will lie upon tEe
delegates to the 1908 convention. ne
President has every confidence in Mr. Roo';
the Lare statement OF tact IN th-s coiliec-
ton is almost su.,eriiuous.
And il is also almost equally superhuous
to state that if Mr.. Root remains at the
head of the State Department., as he un-
doubtedly will, now that he has accepted
the position, President Roosevelt will be
behind him in furthering any presidential
aspirations he may cherish.
Public Estimate of Root.
Mr.. Root occupies a unique position IN
his relations toward pohlcs. business anu
craftsmanship. Although a corporation
LAWYER and intimately connected with some
of the biggest combinations or trusts OF
tie country, there does not seem to be a
doubt on any side that his work in any
government position in which he might
choose to serve, would be absolutely free
from even the suggestion Of bias or COM
mercialism He is considered to be big
man q man of sturdy, moral growth and
mental breadth. man who would do honor
to any position he occupied, a big man well
fitted to cope with big things.
1t is a tribute to Mr. Root that he is more
feared by aspirants to the presidential NOM
mat in 1898 than any other man. They
realize that Mr. Roots corporation service
has not hurt him one degree, one particle,
in the estimation of the people of the
country. They realize, moreover, that Mr..
Roots alleged coldness and lack of the
great quality of personal magnetism is
all in the air AS matter of fact, there
is no public speaker of today who can go