Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1899 — ROOT SUCCEEDS ALGER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ROOT SUCCEEDS ALGER.

New York Lawyer and Politician Appointed Secretary of War. The President has appointed Elihn Root of New York as Secretary of War to succeed Russell A. Alger, resigned. The appointment was made after a conference between President McKinley and the cabinet. The President has had under consideration the appointment of Mr. Root for some time. Senator Platt said his personal choice had been Gen. Francis V. Greene. He added, however, that the choice made by President McKinley would be satisfactory to New York Republicans, including Chauncey M. Depew, Gov. Roosevelt and himself. It is understood that the new Secretary will not take charge of the purely military matters of the office, leaving these to Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Adjt. Gen. Corbin, while he will concern himself with the larger problems arising on account of our new possessions. The question of salary will not be one which will influence his acceptance of the position, for he is wealthy and Mrs. Root has quite a fortune in her own right.

Both are fond of society, and as the position of Secretary of War is one of the most prominent in the cabinet the couple would betorne leaders in Washington. Elihu Root is a leading New York lawyer and Republican politician. The only time Mr. Root has been a candidate for an elective office was in 1889, when he ran unsuccessfully for judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He was appointed by President Arthur in 1883 United States district attorney, in place- of Stewart L. "Woodford, for the southern district of New York, remaining in office until ISBS. He was nn active member of'tlio committee of thirty Which worked to obtain reform in the city of New York, ami in 188(1 was chairman of the Republican county committee of New York. The President offered Mr. Root the Spanish mission prior to its tender to Mr. Woodford. Mr. Root was also suggested as Secretary of the Interior and as ambassador to London. Last year, he was talkmi of as a United States senatorial possibility.

ELIHU ROOT.