The Washington herald., 1908-02-15
ROOT IS SIXTY-THREE
BY FREDERIC j. HASKIN
BY FREDERIC j. HASKIN.

BY FREDERl
Sixty-three years ago to-day. Elihu
Root first opened his eyes upon the
world, the eyes of a child who would
some day demonstrate the conquering
power Of a mind determined to do things.
The child was not precocious; the boy
was not quick TO learn; and the. college
student found many times that there
were others who excelled him. But the
man has lived to become one Of the fore
most minds Of his day; to gain one Of the
greatest regulations OF his time; and 10 be
rated by the President of the United
States as the ablest man that has ap-
peared in the public life OF any country,
in any position, during the time OF Mr..
Roosevelt. lie has been potent factor
IN matters pertaining TO the government
since William Mckinley called him to
receive the war portfolio. With but a
short interval he has served his country
since then constantly.
EIihu Root is first OF all a mathema-
tician. Everything is done by him with
mathematical precision. The only prize
he ever got in his college career was in
mathematics and his solutions In con-
nection with that prize contest are pre-
served at Hamilton College TO this day.
Dir. Root came by his taste for mathe-
mates honestly. He was born in the
home OF his maternal grandfather on the
campus Of old Hamilton. where his
parents were living al the time. His
father Oren Root. was professor at
Hamilton as wassalso his maternal grand
father When young Root went 10 school
he was not popular with his fellow
students. though It would be unjust to
say that he was disIiked. 1t was simply
that cold, impersonai side showing it.
self-that side which is seen by all but
The favored few He was a prize essayist
during his freshman year, but his essay
must not have shown the spark Of genius
which some of his productions Of recent
years show, since he was not the winner
Of the prize.
During his sophomore year he was a
prize speaker. and again the prize went
10 another. In his senior year he was
a Clarke prize orator, but again he fell
without the breastworks Of success. II
was different from the acclaim that
greeted him when he nominated Theo-
d0re Roosevelt for President Of the United
States at Chicago in 1904 But it shows
what the American boy who sticks ever
lastingly at il can do. The one who won
the prize for that essay is unknown in
the world to-day; the lad who defeated
him as prize speaker is lost among the
millions Of ordinary citizens OF the
United State: and The senior who cap
tured the Clarke prize is lost 10 fame.
Every one Of them may have eXcelled
Elihu Root then, but they are those
brilliant companions who were sleeping
while he was the one who was toiling
upward In the night
When young Root had finished his col
lege course he tried teaching for a year.
He was popular as a teacher, but conclud-
ed to follow the law. His father was dis
appointed to see his son quit the role
of pedagogue but offered 10 write him
some letters Of introduction 10 New York
friends. This offer was not accepted
Young Root said that he wanted "a
make friends without pull. and 10 de-
termine for himself whether he was a
man or mouse. In those days one year
was sufficient 20 turn out a full-fedged
lawyer. though rwo-years course was
laid out. Root was one Of the few who
stayed for the second year. This brought
him into close contact with Or. Pomeroy,
who had the reputation OF being one of
the most learned men of the law of his
day. It was under these circumstances
thar was laid the foundation of the legal
career Of one Of the most successful law
yers of a succeeding generation.
Starting out in his profession, Elihu
Root was soon one of the foremost law
yers Of the bar which comprised such men
as the Choates and Samuel J. Tilden.
Little was heard OF him by the world at
large until 1893, when he did something,
the fun meaning Of which can never be
reckOned until time shall be no more.
The maps Of the world may be different
for all time to come through that act.
Theodore Roosevelt had come back from
Cuba with all the glory of the weli-adver-
tised Rough Riders centering in him. He
was thought by his friends TO bee guber-
material timber. They, believed that he
could insure Republican victory. But
there were politicians in the Empire State
who did not want him, and they claimed
that he had lost his citizenship in New
York by his residence elsewhere and his
failure to pay taxes in New York The
argument was taking hold and bade fair
10 win the day At this junCture Elihu
Root appeared. He cOntrOYerted the
argument in such a successful manner
that the opposition was dssipated. TheO-
dore Roosevelt was nominated and start
ed on that career that has made him the
foremost man of his generation. Japan
and Russia might be fighting yet but for
that career, and many other things have
depended and may yet depend upon the
success of that speech.
Mr. Root was next heard Of by the
world at large when William Mckinley
called him to be Secretary OF War. There
We're a great many misgivlngs when the
selection was made. and the country
talked about the idea of having a Wal
street lawyer to control the army It was
a critical time in the history Of the War
Department. There had been incapacity
and mismanagement of the worst kind
somewhere. and a reorganization was tt
be effected. Root set himself to the task
For thirty years a general staff had
been fought for by those best acquainted
with the needs OF the army. Mai Gen
Upton had fought for it. but Congress
turned him down and even made him
print his report at his own expense.
At first Root was defeated, but he took
a new tack and came again. This time
he was successful. When he was con
graduated he replied that he had taker
the army as his client and that this was
all there was TO say. Upon one occasion
he was taking "a horseback Tide with a
friend who remarked that he looked rath-