Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 August 1903 — TAFT TO SUCCEED ROOT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TAFT TO SUCCEED ROOT.

Present Governor of the Philippines Acccp s Portfolio of War. The resignation of Secretary of War Elihu Root will go into effect about Jan. 1, and Judge William H. Taft, the pres-

ent Governor of the Philippines will succeed him as Secretary of War. Gen. Luke E. Wright, the present vice-gov-ernor of the island, will be made governor. The statement that these changes will be made is officially authorized. Regarding the appointment of Gen.

Wright of Memphis, President Roosevelt authorized the announcement that the post had been offered to Gen. Wright, and that he had accepted it. Gen. Wright is a lifelong Democrat. Both the President and Secretary Root regard Gen. Wright as a nvan of proved executive ability, his services as a member of the Philippine commission having been of a distinguished character. Gov. William Howard Taft, who will succeed Elihu Root as Secretary of War on Jan. 1 next, has already had a brilliant career, and though only 4G years of age has held the highest appointive offices. He was born in Cincinnati in 1857, was educated at Yale, studied law in his home city and held a number of minor legal appointments until 1890. when he was made Solicitor General of the United Stated by President Harrison. Two years later he was appointed United States circuit judge. In 1900 President McKinley appointed him a member of the Philippine commission, and n year later he was made civil governor, a position lie still holds. Secretary Root, uuder date of Aug. 19, presented iiis resignation formally to the President, and it was accepted by the President with the understanding that Mr. Root would continue ne Secretary of War at least uutiL Jnn. 1.

GEN. L. E. WRIGHT.