The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-25

Hon. Russell A. Alger, Secretary OF
War. has rendered his resignation, to take
effect at the pleasure Of the President.
il will be accepted. and he will retire from
Office by the end Of the month.
His decision to resign was reached dur
Ing his stay over Sunday at Long Branch,
the guest Of Vice President Hobart. He
returned Tuesday night, and at O'Clock
Thursday morning visited the White
House, when he made known his intention
TO resign. He remained but few min
utes. but later In the day had another con-
ference with the President and formally
submitted his resignation. No statement
was given TO the press regarding the Sec
retary's action. At the White House the
only information obtainable was the con-
firmation OF the report that the resgna-
zion had been rendered The Secretary
himself firmly declined to be interviewed
or make any statement for publication.
Being still a member of the Cabinet, he
felt that he could not with propriety dis
cuss the matter. II he has anything to
say on the subject IL is understood that
he will defer II until his resignation has
taken effect.
Repeatedly Offered to Resign.
Secretary Alger from the momen: the
systematic attack was begun upon him
by newspapers of the country, has been
ready TO tender his resignation whenever
il was the pleasure of the President to
receive IL. But Mr.. Mckinley earnestly
and repeatedly expressed his entire con-
f1dence in the Secretary, as well as his
approval of his conduct of the War De-
partment, and would not listen TO ary
suggestion of his retirement. These facts
are well known in Washington. After the
Secretary had been exoneratad of pub
lished charges by two commissions-one
civil and the other military--and the
President had given his approval to the
findings, the attacks upon the Secretary
were suspended for a time, only II lie
renewed with vigOr when Gen. AIger an
nounced his candidacy for the United
States Senate. The meeting between
Gen. Alger and Gov. Pingree at Detroit,
a month or so ago, followed by the report
that they had entered into a combination
10 defeat Senator Mcmillan, brought poll
tics into the situation, and was the signal
for a fierce attack by the Secretary's enc
mics all along the line.
Opposition Within the Cabinet.
At this juncture which was during the
Presidents stay in Massachusetts,, at
least one member of the Cabinet became
party TO the assaults upon the Secretary
by inspiring newspaper articles comment
ing upon his course in reference to the
Senatorship and by assuring representa-
tives of the press that the President, upon
his return from the North, would at once
peremptorily demand the Secre:ary's res
ignation. Coming from a memOer ot the
Cabinet, this nformation-seemingly au-
thoritative, but given out wholly without
the sanction or knowledge OF the Pres.-
dent-was quite naturally seized upon
eagerly by the newspapers hostile to Gen.
Alger. A persistent effort Was made, in
spite Of denials, TO show that he had been
dislOyal TO the President in casting his
lot with an enemy of the administration.
Some bitter personal feeling was engen-
dered in consequence of these Officially
inspired newspaper articles. and the
President found an unpleasant state Of
affairs in his Official family upon his re-
turn from the North. But even then, Il is
known that he assured Secretary Alger
that he understood the facts, and again
declined to entertain the suggestion cf
his retirement.
Meanwhile Senator Burrews visited the
White House and the opposition 10 Sec
Teiary Alger within the Cabinet was
active. 1t became an open secret that
Secretary Gage believed that the ad-
uinistration's best interests would be
suhserved by Secretary Ayers resigna-
ton. AS the days passed the impression
became general that the result of the
Michigan visit OF the Secretary had been
20 change the relations between the Pres
iient and himself 10 such a degree as "a
make a restoration OF their former status
impossible. Nevertheless there was nc
direct sign from the President that he
desired Gen. Alser's resignation.
His Visit Ia Long Branch.
II was largely, at least. the result OF
the conference between Vice President
Hobart and SECRETARY Alger II Norman.
hurst that Secretary Algar decided to
leave the Cabinet a. this time. At this
conference there were present, besides
Secretary Alger, his military aide and
close. personal, and political friend and
adviser, Maj. Hopkins; Gen. Duffield, OF
Michigan, and perhaps some other per
sons or person who also felt deep In
terest In the future OF the Secretary
There has been 10 disclosure OF what
passed by the seaside, but II Is significant
that the return Of the Secretary 20 Wash.
irgton WAS followed by prompt action
lie arrived in Washington Tuesday night
too late 10 make any oficiSl calls. Almos'
before the executive departments Wer,
opened for business yesterday morning
De called al the White House ana, visit
ing the President in his office, announce
that he had concluded 10 resign from tn,
Cabinet. What passed on that poin; be
tween himself and the President is only
matter Of surnjse, tor neither has any
IN IN