The St. Johns herald., 1898-10-01
Some News Notes From al1e Va.
 tiOnaI Capital
From Our Regular Correspondent.
Washington, Sept. 18th, 1895

Washington, Sept. 13th, 1898
 Is Mir, Mckinley preparing to throw Secretary Alger overheard? Many per sons think so. Secretary Alger is the only member of the Cabinet who wa: not specially summoned to Washington to participate in the extended consider ation and discussion of the instructions given to the American Peace Commits sioners previous to their departure for Paris. It IS asserted that this publici snub was administered to Alger as a hint that his resignation of the War Portfolio would be acceptable to the ad- miuistratlon. Another reason given foI not having Alger in Washington just now is f1at MT. Mckinley wished the other members of the Cabinet to feel free in expressing themselves about the
 intended investigation, of tie War De- partment, which would have been inn possible with the Secretary of War pre- sent. Mir. Mckinley is said to be fully convinced now that the investigation will result in finding Alger guilty ol some of the gravest charges that have been made against him, and to be fully determined to do nothing to sheild Alger. Some say that he has been brought to :his state of mind by evidence laid be- fore him by military men; others that it is tbe result of the existing pane among the republican managers over the outlook for democratic success in the Congressional campaign, and their insistence that something must be done at once 10 counteract the wave of indig- nation that is sweeping over Inc coun- try as aresult of the knowledge of the unnecessary hardships and deaths among the volunteers. If Mr Mckinley will really try to assist the Investigating commission, which will shortly get to work, by officially stating his wish that all army afiicers asked to testify shall tell everything they know about the mismanagement of the war, the truth lnay be got at, notwithstanding the commissions lack of legal authority to compel witnesses to testify:
 It is said that Gen. Scofeld's refusal to serve as a member of the investigat- ing commission resulted in a stormy scene between him and Mir. Mckinley. It is certain that wen Gen. Scofeld left the White House, after he had finally and positively decided to serve on the Commission, the oldsgentleman was in towering passion.
 There is much speculation in Wash ington concerning the nature of the in- structions given our peace Commission CTS, and the belief is growing that the instructions were not specified, further than to demand possession ofthe island of Luzon, and that everything else was left to be determined by circumstances, after the commission meets, and there is and opportunity to learn the attitude of the Spanish commissioners. In any event, it is certain that Mir. Mckinley does not intend, if he can prevent it, that the position of the administration shall become known until after the Con- gressional election If he was certain as he claims to be that the policy of the administration would be indorse by the people, he would only be to glad to an- nounce that policy before the Congress sional election.
 senator Quay came oyer to Washing .o. -3 put fsn administration wires that ne hopes will aid him in his fight for reelection. He admits that the present is the strongest fight ever put up against him, and leaves it to be inferred that he is far from being certain of win ming His opponents have been smart enough not to name candidate against him and to adopt the general motto Of Any body to beat Quay" leaving the question of who shall be the canidate to be settled after an anti-Quay legislature has been elected The administration is, as matter of rule, helping Quay to a certain extent, but Mr Mckinley wouldn't do any worrying if Quay was beaten. provided, of course, that his successor was Wanamaker or some other republican. Quay has made MT. Me Kinley feel his power too often to be cordially licked by him.
 That the competition between the big shipyards of the country IS largely ima- mary, when it comes to bidding for the construction of ships for the govern ment, was demonstrated as usual when the bids were opened for the construc- ton of three battIe-ships, the Maine, the Ohio. and the Missouri. Contracts have been g ven at practically the same fig ures to the Union Iron Works, San Francisco, Wn. Cramp { Sons, and he