The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-14
INVIOLABLE CONTRACTS

The New York Times devotes column
to a scathing review of Alger's conduct
of the war department, official and extra
official, and asks: "How long will the
president continue to stand this national
disgrace and danger?"
Judging from the endurance of the ex
ecutive, as evidenced in the case of Sher-
man-whom he kept at the head of
the state department long after his men
tai and physical incapacity had notori-
ously imperiled national interests-we
have no hesitancy in fixing the date as
March 4, 1901,
~ Alger. say what you will of him, is
no more misfit than was Sherman, and
yet the latter was retained, not only
beyond the limit of national safety, as
but after the peril was understood and
appreciated by the whole country.
The president is not obtuse. He was
doubtless the first to recognize Sher-
mans unfitness, and to want to be well
rid of him. Sherman gave nobody more
bad nights than the president. But he
was a contract minister and Mr.. McKin-
ley is an honorable man. He had agreed
with Sherman, prior to his inauguration,
to make him secretary of state, and he
senate to Mr.. Hanna, in satisfaction Of
another campaign obligation. the presi-
dent was in duty bound to retain him
as long as. liberation was possible. And
he did it. Aye, he did more. He re-
tanned Sherman long after it was possible
to display even outward respect for him.
He retained him long after it was posi-
BILE to recognize him as the head of the
state department, long after our own
ministers and consuls had ceased to adj
dress communications to him as secre-
tary. Both Woodford and Lee, probably
inspired from the White House. recog-
nized only Judge Day in the communica-
tons which they sent to the state depart
ment just before the declaration of war.
How long will the president retain AIger?
The Times only voices the query that is
on the lips of nearly everybody. 1t will
depend entirely upon the nature of the
contract between the two men, for it is
inconceivable that such a man as Alger
should have been placed at the head of
the department of war, even in a time
OF profound peace. except in payment Of
debt. What the obligation is or was,
we may not so easily answer. But that
the appointment was in satisfaction of
q political obligation, few men doubt. 1t
is creditable to the presidents mental
equipment to recognize it as such. 1t
would be a libel upon his intelligence to
assume that he recognized in Alger
single quality recommending him for the
position. The papers of the country, of
every shade of political belief. demand
his removal. Not one dares to defend the.
man or his course. Not one pleads his
cause. He stands today the most uni
versally discredited man in public life
There are absolutely none so poor to
do him reverence. But they will appeal
in vain for his scalp. Despite the clamor,
Alger will remain until it shall suit his
purposes to withdraw. His retirement
will be voluntary. He may, after a time.
decide that prudence is the better part
of valor, and seek some pretext for step
ping down. But he will not be driven
from place. He does not have to submit
to such indignity. He will not retire
In the face of the enemy. He is colossal
fnQ14 and a gigantic failure, but he is
the presidents failure, and must be pro-
.