The Washington herald., 1914-01-11
ny JAMES b. MORROW.

Elihu Root has the floor in the Senate
He is adding a suppletory to what has
been called his powerful speech on the
currency. Today's argument was not ex-
pected. otherwise the half-empty galleries
would be overhowing with auditors and
spectators.
From the seat once belonging to John
Sherman-second row, near the aisle on
the east side of the chamber-he slowly
arises. He is grave. but there are no
visible symptoms OF a purpose to be I'M
pressive-no pride of bearing. no pre-
tended humility, no acting.
James Bryce has just publicly stated
in London that Elihu Root was the great
est Secretary of State in the history of
the American nation. A commission OF
Swedish scholars, scientists and states
men voted him but recently the Nobel
prize of $4,000 as the person who has
done the most, or labored the best. for
the cause of fraternity among different
peoples
Roosevelt has said that "Elihu Root
was the wisest man he ever knew" An
drew Carnegie remarked several days ago
in Washington, "and Lord Morley has
sal. that Root was the ablest man he
ever met / indorse the opinions of both
Roosevelt and Morley. My only objection
to Root is his modesty."
Also Gallinger, of New Hampshire. for
twenty-five years Senator, has signed
and published a statement within week
that Root is his candidate for President
IF it had been in my power" he added.
''Elihu Root Would nave been President
long ago" So has run new praise of
this calm man through the United States
and other countries
As ne stands, pausing for a moment be-
fore he begins his address to the Senate,
no one who knows him, or has long OBJ
served him, can note any change In his
demeanor. The words which have been
spoken of him. Judging by the lack of all
external symbols of countenance or con-
duct might have remained unuttered and
imprinted
How Root Looks When Speaking.
The sovereignty, sir, Of no state, not
even the richest in the land is reflected
in his face. The plaudits for the man.
ringing all over the world, seemingly
have been unheard.
Elihu Root cannot help looking elegant
StructuraIly, though he is FIVE feet ten
in stature, perhaps, he belongs to the
scholastic type of mankind. His long
coat, cut away at the skirt, fits his
spare body perfectly, looking unlike, for
instance, a similar eoat bulging at the
tails and ungraceful at the hips, habitu-
ally worn Dy BOISE fenrOSe, VINO at tnlS
moment is rapidly walking across the
door of the Senate.
No analytical stranger studying Elihu
Roots head and face would suppose him
to be one of the most eminent Of living
statesmen and lawyers. The thought of
Tigor comes to the mind at the memory
of portraits Of Lincoln, Webster. Bis
marck, and Gladstone.
In the refinement of his features, Elihu
Root resembles John Marshall and
Thomas Jefferson-indeed. his nose and
chin are strikingly Jeffersonian. His
eyes, brown and large, burn at times
with feeling or glow with supersensitive-
ness and intelligence They and his nose
give his face It's power and attractive
hess
The mustache, once dark, has turned
white. As can be seen by those in the
gallery, the hair, always banged. is be-
coming scant. The voice. high-pitched
in childhood and student days, has been
regulated by usage and has deepened in