The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-06

snArrIE. SUNDAY, AUGUST ..



The Pos4-InaeiliSencer has frequently
'GscIared shat criticism 81 Secretary Al
ger was criticism Of the national adj
nnlnistration. and that no fault could
Justly be found With. the administration
Of the war department that ala not In
Heater Ct less degree involve the presi-
lent, The late war WIS conducted by
the president. who Il COMMANDMENT
chief ~ she lad and naval forces OF
tn United States. The war department
was merely the agency through vhieh
the policy Of the administration was
enforced ana theedetails Of managsment
arranged. II President Mckinley had
through any mischancc engaged the
services Of an incompetent secretary Of
~, ~ xAs MI ebvlbaf duty tosrecttfy
the error and appoint some person en-
fsifsasssH snafseds Faisurs % make .
change IL either declaration that he II
entirely satisfied or that hs. h willing 10
assume the responsibility for the mis-
takes his subordinate may make. 1t
v known that the president was con-
WINGED that Gen. -AiEer had been need
lessly maiiEned. and he said % to many
persons. The foolish Pingree-A iger al.
lance. while perhaps not altogether the
cause. was certainly the occasion for
his withdrawal from the cabinet. It is
indubitable that Mckinley was aware
of the great political danger OF keeping
Alger in ofncc. and that he was re-
Heyed TO md this plausible opportunity
20 get rid Of him. But he could not.
and did not. base his request on the
ground ef the popular clamcr against
the secretary and hts alleged maiad-
minissrat!on Of the War portfolio.
Mckinley found himself In much the
same position an Lincoln toward seere-
tary Of War Cameron. The Pennsyi.
vansA politician had been invited to
seat In the cabinet over the vigorous
protest Of many Republicans. He did
not act In harmony with Lincoln. who
finally In January. 1859. named him min
lister 20 Russia. Three months later the
house Of representatives passed the fol-
lowing resolution:
'sResniyea That Simon Cameron. late sec-
rotary OF war. by investing Alexander cum
mings with tha centre. uf large sums OF
tho public nancy and authority 20 pur-
chase military sapesies without restriction.
without requiring frcm him any guaranty
for tho faithful performance os his duties.
when the services az competent pubic Of
ncers we're available. and by Involving the
government In vast number Of contracts
with persons not iegitlnasely engaged In
the business pertaining 60 the suffice; mat
tar OF such contracts, especially In the psr-
chs>e az aru.s for fstur. delivery. has
aotpsei policy highly Injurious 10 she
public service. and deserves the eensare Of
tire house.
Tits resolution brought forth an ex-
traordinary response from President
Lincoln After recitiag the elrcum-
stances under which he himself had IS
sued certain orders attributed 10 Mr..
Cameron, he said:
Congress viii see that should hs want
Ing equally IN cansiar and Ia tastsee II
should leave the eensaTe expressed in rAls
resosutkn TO rest exclusively or chiefly ap~
On Mr. Cameron. The same sentiment IS
NnaHssreassy saseFtainsa by sas heads 81 ire
deparsmrnts wAa participated IN the pro-
eevssings which the house az representa-
ssves has s~msaresf. II b aae 10 Mr.. Cam
= eren 60 cav shss ai;asaga ne fully ap-
proved the proceedings. they were no;
nsesesf rc~ Hskgsesea fsy himself. ard that
nas csir the president. ssit all sae ether
heals % departments we're at least eSsasaiy
responsible WITH Ain fa- whatever err@r.
wverg 81 sssss, was committed In tse rresn.
tssss
Tbs rssss.Inteilsgeneer viii rot sax-
xest thai there IL any occasion Tor sim
Tar generosity ana cansor or the Part
% President Msnintey