The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1898-08-20
ALGER AND ROOSEVELT.

1t has been disgrace to the United
States, that during time when in
competency could be so plainly shown,
that it has at the head of the war de-
partment one vino is capable of show
ing so little fitness for the position he
holds, and one who Is capable of dis
playing his pettishness to such a
marked extent. The recent tiff be-
tween Secretary of War Alger and Col.
Roosevelt, when viewed from an un-
biased standpoint displayed the incom-
potency and childishness of one and
the competency of the other. On
this subject the Chicago Record says:
Col. Theodore Roosevelt is deserv-
edly one of the popular heroes of the
war. The first volunteer cavalry regi-
ment, known as the rough riders,
which he commands, Is one of the very
best In the service, and has shown it.
self in battle to be splendidly effective.
1t is natural for the commanding officer
of regiment to think that his is
public nor members of otherregiments
will seriously object to any command
ing officer claiming superiority for his
men. Any colonel of good regiment
might we'll be pardoned for making
such claim. In personal and ir-
formal letter to Secretary Alger with
reference to the movement against
Porto Rico, Colonel Roosevelt ex-
pressed the hope that the rough riders
would be among those to go, and said
they were as good as any regulars and
better than any other volunteers. He
said 1900 of his men-Colonel Roose-
velt now commands brigade of dis
mounted cavalry-who have the very
best equipment and arms, would be
worth 10000 National Guards ''armed
with black-Dowder, Springfelds or
other archaic weapons" which are
the kind that most of the state troops
carry.
Roosevelt ought to be proud OF his |
own men-men certainly better armed |
than are the other volunteer regi-
ments. Evidently Roosevelt did not
intend to cast slur on the courage or
other soldierly qualities of the fine
volunteer regiments, for he based his
claim to superiority on the excellent
equipment of his men. But Alger saw
in the letter chance to rebuke and
humiliate Roosevelt. He wrote a
curt reply enjolning Roosevelt not to
make inviduous comparisons, and tell
ing him that 'the rough riders are no
better than other volunteers" Then
he gave both letters to the public.
After the extraordinary service
which Colonel Roosevelt has rendered
it was'a piece of pettiness for Secretary
Alger thus to take advantage of his
first opportunity to rebuke and humili-
ate him publicly, putting false con-
struction on an impulsive remark to
try to make him an object of dislike to
the other volunteers. This was not
noble on the part of the secretary of
war. One is tempted to believe that
the act was prompted by feeling of
spite toward Roosevelt. Alger had
given the order that the troops at
Santiago should be removed to San
Luis instead OF being brought home.
It was principally due to Roosevelt
hat this order was shown to be a
yrevious blunder. Secretary Alger
loes not like to have around him men
who have the courage to call attention
10 his incompetence. But he cannot
conceal his incompetence from the
public. 1t is not Roosevelt's fault !
hat the volunteers whom he does not
command are badly armed. That is
Alger;s fault. Roosevelt is superb
older. Alger's is a peevish old
woman.