The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-19
Il Is Mlchlgin Now.

III Is miCHlB an NOW.
It used to be said Of Ohio that the
Buckeye state accumulated TO it's citi-
zens all the honors that were going
around in the political line Of distribu-
ton >Ohio stands up pretty well even
unto this day; but she has a big rival
now In Michigan since the advent of
Gen Alger as secretary Of war
The most interesting conundrum that
can be propounded is What kind OF
q thing Gen. Alger would have been
If there had been no war for him to
impress his sublime personality upon?"
Alger, as a quantity in politics. has
hitherto been interesting on account Of
his general picturesqueness, embody-
ing personal vanity, a low quality Of
political gall and a smirk OF his coun-
tenance which seemed to indicate that.
If the rest OF the world didn't know IT.
ne did. that he had an awful hold on
the Almighty as a creature OF destiny.
He has done much for Michigan,
Alger has And he has done II In the
Algerian fashion. Nobody can tell. but
himself or his cashier. how much he
has paid TO artists 10 picture him in
the forefront OF battle during the Civil
war. II a battle picture OF national
proportions was on the schedule to be
painted or engraved, Alger has always
been prominent as a candidate for con
spicuous Illustration In the scene.
whether he was there or not, and rev
enues 10 the artists for the considera-
ton paid to the gallant man from
Michigan We're always capable OF en-
largemcnt. He has been quite liberal
as self-advertiser. and. although not
particularly beautiful 10 look upon. his
pictures have usually been on the
market without cost TO the possessot
OF one Of these
During the progress of the recent in
vestgation by the Dodge commission.
which, by the way, might well be styl-
Ell the lodging commission. anything
that partook OF real genuine Algerian
eiiiontery on the part OF the party OF
the other part has not been welcome.
II was not the business OF the Dodge
commission 10 do much OF anything but
60 junket the country over and evade.
as far as possible, everything that
should tend TO reveal the truth I'm re-
gard to Algerism in the war depart
ment management.
ran against Gen. Breckinridge the
other day. He used to be Inspector
general of the army. Those who know
him thoroughly appreciate his devotion
10 duty. He had organized a bureau In
the war department of inestimable
value during times OF peace Its great
est usefulness ought TO have been dem
onstrated In times OF war. But under
4 hn f.r.
ridge was transferred: the machinery
OF his Office fell into absolute decay.
and one OF the most useful auxIfaries
20 the campaign in Cuba was practical
ly paralyzed A few days ago Gen.
Breckinridge was called to the witness
stand before the commission. and with
degree Of courage that is to be com
mended and admired he pumped into
Secretary Alger in most beautiful
fashion. and one which entities him TO
very distinct medal upon his breast
He told the commission IN plain words
what he thought Of the management Of
the war department under Gen. AIger
and his horde OF Michigan braves II
was made quite apparent. In his re-
marks. that Gen Breckinridge realiz-
ed the fact that nothing good could
come from any other sources than
Michigan. In the first place. Gen.
Sanger came from Michigan Then
there was Gen. Shafter who carried
over 500 pounds avolrdupois into the
army as a representative OF the Vol
VERNE state. 1t seems 10 appear. nv
the record. that Gen. Shafter held his
own. as far as animal weight was CON
cerned, throughout the campaign, and
that is about all he did hold. II is
generally conceded that Skaters vic
tory was won by the officers and men
under his command and absolutely
without his leadership. Stil he was a
representative OF Alger in the field. and
that was enough.
Then there WAS Col. Hecker. assist
ant quartermaster general Of the army
also contribution from Michigan. He
had not been much OF a man before
the war. and he didn't prove himseh
10 be much OF a man during the war
except that he was in close utilization
With Secretary Alger.
Then, again, there was Gen. Dufield
OF the volunteer force. an excellent
gentleman from Michigan. and in very
close political and personal Relationship
to the secretary OF war, Mr.. Alger He
IS represented as a sort OF stagnan'
force in the contest around Santa go
inasmuch as he failed 10 get very much
OF move on him.
The whole field presents. as one
views il in the light OF what has taker
place in the past six months. splen-
did picture OF Michigan endeavor un-
der the headship % Mr.. Alger. Ii il
not 10 be presumed that the hard shot:
which We're given 10 the war depart
nent through the testimony taken a