The state herald., 1908-06-26
LUKE E. WRIGHT OF TENNESSEE
TO BE THE NEW SECRE-
TARY OF WAR.
PRESIDENTS EULOGY
CONFEDERATE CAPTAIN, PHILIP.
PINE GOVERNOR, AMsAs-
SADoR TO JAPAN.

hingtOn.-Secretary TAFT FRIDAY
presented to the President his resigna-
ton, to take effect June 30th, and 1t
was announced at the White House
that Luke L. Wright Of Tennessee will
be appointed secretary of war to sue
ceed Mr.. Taft.
In making this appointment the
President was influenced somewhat by
the desire to recognize in an emphatic
way that there is no longer any divid-
ing between the North and the South,
and that all Americans are in thought
and deed one,
The correspondence between the
President and Secretary Taft relating
TO the latter's resignation, is brief.
Secretary Taft simply said in his resig-
nation:
II hereby tender my resignation as
secretary of war, to take effect June
Both next"
The President, in his reply, said:
Your resignation is hereby accept
ed to take effect June Goth"
It was stated at the White House
that as the President had given out
formal statement concerning his high
esteem for Secretary Taft, it was not
deemed necessary to repeat what was
then said.
The statement given out at the
White House concerning Mr.. Wright's
appointment says:
AS Philippine commissioner and
later as vice governor and governor,
he won the affection and regard of the
army to high degree, and many ot
the most distinguished of the men who
served In the army at the time he was
In the Philippines have urged his APP
pOintment because they felt in n pecu
liar way that he was their champion
and in peculiar way understood them
and their needs. This is especially
true as regards the men who We're
Union veterans OF the Civil War. FOR
these grew to feel that he was always
specially interested in their welfare.
Moreover. his great administrative
and legal ability both peculiarly tit
him 10 deal with the problems in the
Philippines, Panama and Cuba: for the
work OF the war department is now
such that only man with special fit.
ness and unusual training is able to do
justice 10 II.
"Of all the men In the country, the
President feels that Mr.. Wrl hit is the
man best fitted TO take up the work
Of the department which for the last
seven years has been under the con.
troll. first OF Root and then of Taft.
AS young man he was a captain
In the Confederate army, He is one or
the leading lawyers not only OF his
state, but OF the entire South. lie has
also been foremost In advocating ana
Insisting upon fair treatment for the
colored people. He first definitely cs.
tablished his reputation In the terrible
days OF the yellow fever epidemic AT
Memphis. when he practically made
himself mayor of the town aud took
charge OF all the relief measures. show,
ing what may Justly be called heroic
devotion to duty and Indifference 10
his own life, together with the mas.
terful qualities OF successful admin.
istrator In a great crisis. He was him,
self struck down by the plague he was
fighting, hut lived to see II stamped oui
and himself To take part in introducing
into Memphis the hygienic measures
which have since made II one OF the
model health cities OF the world
He WIS appointed by President Nc,
kinley AS one OF the Philippine com.
mission ard enjoyed Mr.. McKlnlcy's
heartiest confidence. being selected as
ono of the Southerners who were In
sympathy with his administration. By
President Roosevelt he was promoted
| first to be vice governor and then gov.
ernor Of the Philippines and was NJ,
/ torwarl made ambassador 10 Japan.
''ln all positions he served with sig
! Na 10 kas Ia.
hearty and outspoken agreement with
tho administration In all It's main pol.
iciea"