The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-09-10
A Good Use for Alger.
From the Philadelphia Ledger, Sept 5.


The whole country is waiting patiently for
the Presidents action in disposing OF Mr.. Al
ger Assuming that President Mckinley will
not ignore the practically universal demand
for his removal, the possibility Of his remain
ing in Office as Secretary of War is fast dlsap-
pearing. under the rapid accumulation Of
evidence that he neither did his duty as Sec
retary of War nor required It OF the heads OF
bureaus in the War Department or OF his ap-
pointees to high command in the field and to
various services in the matter of transporta-
ton, supplies, inspection and other important
branches Of good army administration. Every
day brings new evidence OF his incompetency
or worse, and of its results i'll the inefficient
discharge of duties by the men who were ap-
pointed by him and looked to him for reward
aud not to the good of the service, the health,
comfort and safety of the soldiers i'll camp, on
transports. in the field, in hospital or on the
way home. 1t is positively charged that the
commissary general, in spite of advice and or
ders, refused to make use of refrigerating and
ice making machines on naval transport, and
insisted on sending canned meats and regular
army rations to the fever stricken soldiers at
Santiago and elsewhere There is not the
slightest evidence that Secretary Alger made
any effort to see that his orders were carried
out or to enforce them through his inspectors
or other officers, regular or volunteer ten
cral Alyer knows perfectly we'll that General
Shatter was never at the front, never near the
line OF battle, never in sight of his brave men
in action, that he was helplessly yincapacltated
and living in his hammock, sending inconsistent
and contradictory orders; that Lieutenant
(now Maior) Miley of his staff was the only
responsible officer to represent headquarters,
and that the battles were won not by anything
he planned or executed. but in spite of Gen
eral Shafler, by Wheeler and Lawton, and
Chaffee and Wood and Roosevelt.
These brave generals in turn give the credit
to the officers and men of the regulars and the
little handful of volunteers who did the actual
marching and fighting, and won in spite OF
want of food, of artillery, of siege guns and
entrenching tools, of surgical and medical Off
GERS and supplies, of provision IN preparation
for battle and of care in camp. Then, too
there is the wretched story OF sickness ano
death in the camps where the soldiers were
held. at Camp Alger, almost IN sight OF wash
ington, at Chickamauga, at Tampa, wherever
in short. soldiers were left for weary weeks
and months, without equipment or food, with
ont inspection or compliance with the urgent
recommendations ofmedical and field officers.
Even at Camp Wikoff at Montauk Point the
condition of affairs is distinctly charged tc
Secretary Alger and his incapabes, aud ms
visit there only serves to show his inability to
administer from Washington and his lncapac
| ity to make camp for returned soldiers, slcb
| and well, but all needing strength and health
that will at all build up the poor fellows weak
ened by the climate Of Cuba and Porto Rico
of Tampa and Chickamauga. Now wha
ought to be done with Secretary Alger? tie
won't resign, and President Mckinley, witt
| all the credit due him for his wise Admins
tration. is bearing the heavy burthen OF re
sponsibiity for General Alger shortcomings
| A Spanish duke, the descendant OF Columbus
wants the Peace Commission that meets II
| Paris to provide for the return of the ashes o
Columbus from Havana to Spain. Could no.
Snain be satisfied with Alger? He has proved
himself the best friend Spain has had IN TIN!
country He might perhaps be persona graft
as our Minister to Spain when peace is finally
proclaimed, and the Spanish Government anC
the Spanish people ought to welcome Alger
True. he would in no wise represent the rea
feeling of our people and our Government
even towards Spain, for we honor our brave
enemies of the war. our friends now, and II
sending Alger to Madrid, either as an eX
change for the ashes of Columbus or as the
| American Minister, we would get rid OF a mar
! who has utterly failed in the duties required
| of Secretary Of War, and we would send Il
| Spain the man who has lntiicted greater los
| and suffering on our American soldiers ant
our people at home than all Of Spain soldiers
and sailors, armies and fleets, generals an(
admirals combined, Let President Mchlnle,
send General Alger to Spain as President Ln
coin sent General Cameron to St. Petersburg
and the country will be thankful for thus rid
ding his Administration Of the one membe
upon whom, next to the President, the heay
| lest responsibility was placed, and who utteri
faiIeG to meet it. Indeed, if President Nc
| kinley will only heed the voice of the people
he will dismiss General Alger, and with hlr
every head OF bureau who may share WIT
! AIger the failure to make the War Depart
ment capable and honest. 1t was said no
long ago that the President was consultln
authoritative men from all parts of the countr
as to the best policy to pursue in reference
the Philippines. Let him accept the OPINION
found in the newspapers of the country as t
the shortcomings of Alger and the War De
partment, and even at this late day do Jushc
10 our soldiers, regulars and volunteers, b
sending Alger to Spain or anywhere else, an
rcplace him, if no civilian can be found abl
to cope with the reorganization of the army
| by General Schofeld, or General McCook c
General Forsyth. all retired officers, ready an
able to serve their country, or by Colon'
Roosevelt whose appointment to be Secretal
of War would atone for Alger and help tn
country to recover from his awful mistakes.