Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-17
GEN. ALGER'S AMBITION.
1t Is to Succeed MIR. Mcmillan in the
United States Senate.

Special Correspondence Of the Evening Star.
GRAND RAPIDS. Mich. Jan. Is, 1894.
Gen. Russell A. Alger's ambition has
broken out In new spot. The next legis-
lature. which will assemble in January. 1895,
will elect successor to Senator James
Mcmillan, and Gen. Alger aspires to the
vacancy. His name mas already been for
mally presented, and he is just now lying
with his ear close to the ground to see
how the brethren take 1t. The responding
encnoes are not encouraging. Gen. Alger
may be considered sensational possibility,
but comes far from being a probability I'M
less conditions materially change His
candidacy introduces a new element in the
campaign and the contest will be full of
interest.
Senator James Mcmillan, whom Alger
would succeed, is serving his first term
1t is tradition that an officer serving ac-
ceptably one term is entitled to a second
Mr.. Mcmillan has not made a brilliant rec
ord for craftsmanship. but his service has
been satisfactory and according to party
usage Is entitled to a second term. He is
ambitious to serve his country six years
longer. and he will set up as stiff a fight
as any man in the state to gain what he
wants. Senator Mcmillan is the first and
greatest stumbling block in Gen. Alger's
pathway, and he alone is sufficient to re-
move Alge- from the list of proba bilites
Mr.. Mcmillan has been chairman of the
republican state central committee for
eight years and the party machine is abso-
lutely under his control. In return for
services rendered two years ago. Mr.. NcMil.
Ian can depend upon the favorable infu-
ence of Gov. Rich and the state admins
tration. Gen. Alger has no machine and
has lost his grip upon the active party
workers He has many personal friends
throughout the state and there are MANY
more whom he could hire to blow the
gew-gaw for him. but in this field he would
have as keen an opponent as will be found
in the state. Mcmillan also has many
friends In the state and when it comes
to hiring influence, Mcmillan has as much
money as Alger, and has the additional
advantage of an intimate acquaintance
with modern politics. and knowing lust
where to put his hand to touch an effective
wire.
Gen Alger may cut something of a
swathe with his senatorial aspirations but
can hardly be considered a probability or
even possibility as long as Mcmillan Is
In the field for second term. The very
enough votes to prevent the reelection of
Mcmillan and thus give some third candi-
date chance, but 1t is doubtful IL he could
succeed even in this.
The fact is that the Alper hoop, n,
though seen in a new form this wear. Is
looked upon as a perennial. In 1883 the
Alser boom for the presidency was dill
gently worked and Michigan supported him
In the national convention and during the
ensuing four years Michigan was, in con-
sequence. in disfavor at the White House
During the four years Of the Harrison adj
mlnistration, Alger put in his whole time
laying the wires for 1892. He could not
control the Michigan delegation in Mime
Spolis, however. several Of them under
Thomas W. Palmer's guidance falling into
the Harrison line while the others Joined
the Blaine procession in the vain hone of
defeatinS denomination. Since the cam
paign of '2 Alger has been quiet and re-
firing. The Senatorship is about the onlv
tnlng worth having that he has not tried
Michigan will this year have the liyeliest
senatorial campaign on record Alger and
Mcmillan are both mllionaires and there
would be no lack of money on either side