The times., 1899-07-23
The Potato Peril.

We wish to remind President Mckinley
that he need not mind the half-coDcealed
threats of Potato Pingree. Hawiey, For
aker and Proctor, always supposing that
his own conscience is clear in the matter of
Algers eviction from the Cabinet.
When Pingree accused him of cowardice
because he went all around Robin Hood 5
barn to get rid of his War Secretary. in
stead of telling the latter. like man, that
he did not like the way he parted his hair,
we must remember that Pingrees charac-
ter is below reproach, and that he may
have ulterior motives within him.
Pingree may think what he likes. AS a
matter of fact there never was a Drawer
thing in this world than Mckinley's
stanch protection of Alger and Algerism
for a whole year in the teeth of public
sentiment that ordinarily ought to have
lynched its objects. We have been COM
PEELED at times to criticise the President
severely We have never bssn called upon
to say that he did not stick TO his friends.
He is as close to Hanna and Kohlsaat as
he was the day when he accepted their
help to get the Presidency.
What may be behind the Algerian threat
to lift the veil that covers Eaganism, Car
terism, and a few things like that, we are
quite unable to state. There were many
things connected with the war that did not
look exactly right Soldiers were poisoned
by rotten beef. and some people made mil
lions out of Government contracts. In
general way the country has rather blamed
the War Department for allowing such
crimes to be committed; and the head of
the office has been held responsible. on ae-
count of his official position.
He is understood to say-and there is
10 doubt. his friends declare-that he is an
innocent victim. a scapegoat, and martyr,
and that the real offenders will be uncev-
cred by his published memoirs In the move
ment which is thus suggested, Pingree ap-
pears as the leader. 1t is not characteristic
of the potato man to allow a dear and
wealthy political partner to suffer under
the aspersions of people who, to say the
least, are as deep in the mud as he is in
the mire. Pingree is not the sort of
tuber to let Alger bear the blame of the
carrion contracts IL it was another who
manipulated them, Why should Mr.. AL
ger be crushed under the avalanche of pub
lie execration for the crimes Of the Spanish
war when, according to his adherents, he
did not and others did benefit by themI
We have always been afraid that, in re-
lieving himself OF the Alger incubus. Presi-
dent Mckinley would accredit to himself
certain troubles the nature Of which it
would be improper and disloyal to sug-
gest We know there are many things
which man in Alger's position might say
and which il would be as interesting for
the nation as it would be inconyenient for
the Administration to have published. But.
if the disavowed and discredited Cabinet
officer has them in his mind. the pine odoTs
of his native woods are likely to bring
them out. II that should fail. prod from
Pingree no doubt will be efIicacious. What
the press and the people are particularly
interested in is not so much Mr. Alger as
the truth Of the war scandals. They will
be perfectly willing TO accept him as
States evidence and nolle prosequi any
thing they may have intended to hold
against him in the past.