The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-09-21

we'll, san, seben OF us Is TO Sherman,
an Ieben Is TO sale.'
History hath it that ''leben was TO-
Alger' when the agent concluded the
conversation.
The Alger instinct for money-making
shows itself in unlooked-for ways. A
month or two ago the daughter of the
some social figure. After the ceremonies
the newspaper correspondents visited
the Alger home for Information. Their
cards were sent to Mrs. Alger, who re-
turned them with the information that
her private secretary-Mrs. Alger has
one-possessed all the facts of this nota-
Bile society event, and was authorized to
disclose them. The private secretary Is
a blonde, round little woman, with a
commercial glitter in her otherwise soft
blue eye. She has the true Michigan
ability to win profit from unpromising
propositions. Her reply to the CORE
spondents was uniform.
Il have prepared typewriter reports
of the wedding" said this young woman,
''in order to avoid any errors. I have
them in two sizes, a short article con-
tanning the brief facts for 81, and a
more pretentious composition, with rhe-
torical embellishments, for S."
The correspondents settled I retain
one of the 81 variety as a pleasing SOU
venir. 1t is worth the price.
Secretary Alger is one of the strongest
men in the cabinet in point of influenc
He is so blandly insistent that President
Mckinley cannot withstand him. How
otherwise can the elevation of Shafter-
PecOs Bill Shafter-tO a generals posi-
ton be explained? Shafter is the most
remarkable combination of grossness
and incapacity that ever disfgured an
army establishment He is not only
rude in manner, but ignorant, and as to
morals is unspeakable. For years he
was senior colonel of the army, and for
his sins expected to die in that rank
His name was presented to succeeding
presidents for promotion, but succeeding
presidents recoiled. Away back, when
Shafter was in command at Fort Clark,
Texas, he assaulted a negro girl. The
girl became clamorous to the courts for
satisfaction Somehow and in some way
the matter was settled; that u.s. the GRIM
inal prosecution was prevented. But
the record still exists in the war depart
ment. Even Cleveland whose past is
not so clear as many a past one may
meet could not approve Skaters appli-
cation for promotion.
Yet this man was raised in grade by
President Mckinley! doubt if the
president knew his past. Shafter Is from
Michigan, and so is the secretary of war.
That accounts for the promotion and
for the selection of Shafter to command
the Santiago expedition. His history
making is knowH Never was there such
a lamentable exhibition of inability He
was put forward and preferred over
Miles, the preux chevalier of modern
times. Miles is every inch soldier,
Notwithstanding his fatal addiction to
the bath tub and his reprehensible habit
of wearing clean shirt daily. Alger put
Shafter, the unspeakable forward to win
the acknowledgements straps, which
are hanging upon the event of this war.
Miles, the senior major general and COM
mander of the army, was sidetracked
Years ago Miles spoke slightingly of
Alger as soldier. He had some reason
for doing so, for Alger's resignation was
accepted but Is short hours before the
charges of cowardice and desertion in
the face of the enemy to which Sheri-
dan, Merritt and one other had fixed
their names, reached the war Office. Al
ger never forgot the charges, nor for
gave the men who made them Shortly
after his installation as war chief, Mer-
rift called at his Office to make a formal
call.
How are you, general?" cried Alger,
with nervous hilarity, extending the joy
GUS hand. Those old charges are wiped
out now, aren't they?'
mot necessarily" replied the general,
overlooking the hand. So Merritt was
sent to the distant Philippines, and
Miles, who criticised. was made to do a
clerks duty at Washington, while Shat
ter was sent out to win glory This is
written some time in advance of the
date of publication. 1t need excite no
wonder if 1t appears in print subsequent
to the court-martial with which Shafter
Is threatened. That is the dimension of
the glory he has earned.
HtRRAH FOR CALIFORNIA.