The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1898-09-23
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON. D. c., September 10Th.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Is Mr. Mckinley prepar-
ing to throw Secretary Alger overheard?
Many persons think so. Secretary Alger
is the only member of the Cabinet who
was not specially summoned to Washing
ton to participate in the extended consid-
Grafton and discussion of the instructions
given to the American Peace Commission
ers previous to their departure for Paris.
1t is asserted that this public snub was ad-
ministered to Alger as a hint that his
resignation of the War Portfolio would
be acceptable to the administration. An
other reason given for not having Alger
in Washington just now is that Mr.. Nc
Kinley wished the other members of the
Cabinet to feel free in expressing them
selves about the intended investigation of
the War Department, which would have
been impossible with the Secretary of War
present. Mr.. Mckinley is said to be fully
convinced now that the investigation will
result in finding Alger guilty of some of
the gravest charges that have been made
against him, and to be fully determined to
do nothing to shield Alger. Some say
that he has been brought to this state of
mind by evidence laid before him by mill
tary men: others that it is the result of the
existing panic among the republican man
ayers over the outlook for democratic sue
cess in the Congressional campaign, and
insistence that SO netting be done at once
to counteract the wave of indignation that
is sweeping over the country as result
of the knowledge of the unnecessary hard
ships 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 officers asked to
testify shall tell everything they know
about the mismanagemento of the war, the
truth may be got at, Notwithstanding the
commissions lack of legal authority to
compel witnesses to testify.
1t is said that General Schotields refusal
to serve as member of the investi eating
commission resulted in stormy scene be-
tween him and Mr. Mckinley. 1t is GER
tain that when General Schofield left the
White House, after he had finally and
positively declined to serve on the Com
mission, the old gentleman was in tow
ering passion.
There is much speculation in Washing
ton concerning the nature of the instruc
tons given our Peace Commissioners, and
the belief is growing that the instructions
were not specific, further than to demand
possession of the island of Luzon, and
that everything else was left to be deter
mined by circumstances, after the com
mission meets and there is an opportunity
to learn the attitude of the Spanish COM
missioners. In any event, it is certain
that Mr. Mckinley does not intend, if he
can prevent it, that the position of the ad-
ministration shall become known until
after the Congressional election. II he
was certain as he claims to be that the
policy of the administration would be in
dorsed by the people, he would only be
too glad to announce that policy before
the Congressional election.
Senator Quay came over to Washington
to pull few administration wires that he
hopes will aid him in his fight for reelec-
ton. He admits that the present is the
strongest fight ever pat up against him,
and leaves it to be inferred that he is far
from being certain of winning. His oppo-
nents have been smart enough not to name
a candidate against him and to adopt the
general motto of "Anybody to beat Quay,
leaving the question of who shall be the
candidate to be settled after an antiQuay
legislature has been elected The admin
istration is, as matter of rule, clping
Quay to a certain extent, but Mr.. Mckin-
ley wou' int do any worrying if Quay
was beaten, provided, of course, that his
successor was Wanamaker or some other
republican, Quay has made Mr.. Mckin-
ley feel his power too often to be cordially
1ik ed nv him