The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-02-25

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for governor and for vice president,
and but for President Roosevelt's re-
solve to make Taft the partv candi-
date in 1908, would have had good
chance to try his luck in running for
the presidency. More than once, un>
less all the evidences are misleading,
he could have had a position on the
United States Supreme Court; but in
the meantime he had found himself
and learned that his powers were best
adapted to a place of action. where he
would have commaned of men. and
large constructive work to do.
He achieved this desideratum in the
Cabinet, where, though, holding only
one portfolio at time. he lent hand
with several others in emergencies.
AS Secretary of War he reorganized
the entire military establishment, paci-
fed the Philippines, rehabilitated Gu
ba, and contributed to the invasion of
his labors in these directions did not
prevent, for example, his doing work
which properly belonged to the Attor,
ney General in the preparation of the
so-called "insular cases" growing out
of the newly conceived expansion pol
icy of the government, or his active di-
rection of negotiation about the
withdrawal of the allied armies from
China, though the subject was, strict
ly speaking, more in the domain of the
Secretary of State. And his tact car
ried him through these and similar in
cidents without exciting resentment on
the part of the colleagues over whose
heads the President insisted upon con-
sulting him. AS matter of course,
, when the death of Secretary Hay left
the place of special honor at the coun-
Gil table vacant, Root was promoted
/ to it, and closed there that stage OF
: his executive career.
) Roots relations with the press while
in the Cabinet were interesting, and in
: some particulars unique. His strong
: emotional nature was ALWAYS under
I perfect control. He was not com.
= municative man. He discouraged
= everything that savored of familiarity
, No one who knew the facts could de.
: scribe him as popular with the CORES.
S pondents. yet their respect for him
y was so deep-rooted that it answered
! almost the same purpose in practica
| way. He never lied to them. or re-
: sorted to expedients for diverting theil
t curiosity which were lies in all bu
t name. He never snubbed an inquirer
: whose inquiry was intelligent and sin
: cere; but toward only yellow sensa
e tons, or to those who played hin
: false in any way, he was merciless. "1r
r what position will the United States
S be in China" asked one. after thu
o Boxers had been quoted, "if we with
: draw our military forces?" Root at
Il fected an air of great gravity, seemed
y to take little time to think on tn,
h subject, and then answered: II fame,
i we shall be in the position of nation
= that has no troops there" There wa
a laugh among the assembled groul
v of interviewers. but Roots solemnit.
i relaxed not at all, and another ques
o ton was fired at him: as it true. MI
S Secretary, as rumored that the Presl
IS dent is displeased with Minister Con
G gers handling of the Chinese situa
sede him?" "The rumor," said Roo
J. ance. "is inaccurate in one respect
+ the President has so scrupulous a re
IS gard for Oriental etiquette that he ha
S, mailed Mr.. Conger a poisoned letter!
d Less trenchant was his response t
If newsgatherer who happened in ur
l. on him one day when he was alon
lie and found him immersed in the recor
y Mr.. Secretary" remarked the visito
;e chat you have read Chaplai
III Smiths statement in that case. eulog
N zing the accused officer?" The Secrt
k tary nodded. "What do you think {
lie it?" Root silently laid aside the man,
IN script record, and, reaching for boo
t. on a shelf near his desk. opened
al midway, settled himself back in h
s. chair, and began to read aloud. wit
rs fine Evolutionary effect, Parse
- Wcems's familiar narrative of the be
Washington and the cherry tree. z
he finished, he closed the book and r
stored il to its shelf, raised his ey,
with quzzical smile in them, and r
sumcd his study of the record. II
ncwsman had got his answer. O
viously the Secretary, with all due r
. spect for the chaplain. regarded Il
lattcr's testimony as interesting rath
than convincing.
Q Notwithstanding the cold wat
. which Root is continually dashing Il
[ on the enthusiasm OF the admire
who wish to make him President. TIL
will prabably keep up their demal
for him till the convention meets or
about to meet. Root realizes bett
than they apparently. what the. a
sumption of presidential responsible
ties would mean to man of sevent
20 two. But the boom" may bear GO
fruit, if it does no more than keep
distinguished name wildly in the mi
of the people. The next administl
ton will have tremendous task Ia
out for it in the Diplomatic readadju
ments which must surely follow t
: old-world war. and the preside
ought not to be compelled to should
this in addition to his normal domes
burdens. What will be needed gu
as much as strong President "
y be strong Secretary of State; a
:. who could meet the requirements
% that Office better than he whom so
- .:,,.:o,t;pr , critic nc ord Rrx