The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-21
ALGER RETIRES ON AUG. |.
BIS RESIGNITIoN Is ACCEPTED BH
THE PRECEDENT.

Jns Cty-Gon. AlKor Sntu TO 30 fre-
pairing n Statement Defending His Adj
ninistration of the War Department.
WAsHINoToN. July 20.-President Mckinley
to-day accepted the resignation Of Secretary
Alger. to take effect Aug. l. and the Secretary's
formal retirement from the Cabinet will be
marked by q prepared statement to be given to
the press at that time. in which, his friends
say. he will defend his administration Of the
War Department In the war with Spain and
will tell the story how the tender OF his resig-
nation was brought about The Secretary's
letter Of resignation and the Presidents ac-
ceptance were made public this afternoon.
Secretary Ayers letter follows:
WASHINGTON, July 10. 1900.
Il beg to tender to YOU my resignation
OF the Office OF Secretary OF War. to take
effect at such time in the near future
as you may decide the affairs OF this
department will permit. In terminating
my official connection with your Admin
istration wish for you continued health and
the highest measure OF success in carrying on
the great work intrusted to you. 1 have the
honor to be. very respectfully. your obedient
servant. r. A. ALGER.
e To the President"
This is the Presidents response:
EXECUTIVE MANSION
WASHINGTON. July 20. 1890. !
" Hon. Il. A. Aoer. Secretary Of War.
DEAR SIR: Your resignation OF the office Of
Secretary Of War under date OF July 10 is ac-
cepted. to take effect on the LIST OF August.
1900. In thus severing the official rela-
ton which has continued for more than
two years. l desire to thank you for the
faithful service you have rendered the country
at most exacting period and to wish you a
long and happy life. With assurances Of high
regard and esteem. am. most sincerely.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
Secretary Alger declines to discuss his resig-
nation while he remains a member OF the
Presidents official family. 1t 10 said that the
statement which he is preparing will be quite
lonG. and will fully review all the charges made
against his conduct Of the War DEPARTMENT.
close friends 4, shared BY, Gen; ,Alger It Is
criticism OF the method pursued in bringing
Ms fs Ss not S,v bs
resignation Will take effect
from Assistant Secretary q war Meiklsjohn.
sas sn' Mle se hst hast hsd tsn
ton ssorsa & Ne feso s said T ehat
you'd - reach Washington on SATURDAY night
weekk, for drSndmeNre. Canada. for visit
there, Hs Till remain ,Ei,h tis son ,gntiI
to-day aud it was arranged between them that
the resignation should take effect on the date
tmd oed n I'll. ssS Sr
the letter q sece rsasss q Secretary Aissr.
ta5y AYERS successor: Cabinet oirisefs are
@nd but TIE sun F.poPssq has baes
sSa MdRRssy G pGrs to hS FGo 9
evidently DESTROYS Of Obtaining lawyer OF
ness man and Of ths acf ha. e sn
mated the e, names OF prominent military men
to the War poTtolo there Is reason s to Believe
that neXt to Mr.. Root, Gen Francis V, Greene
Of New York stands the best chance Of selec-
candidate Of the New York Republican organ
The name OF Attorney General GligEs is still
prominently mentioned. and the fact that Mr..
GriGgS is expected to return to Washington
tonight or tomorrow. presumably at the
story that he will be transferred from the
the @ se"F that the Pr~s REs
would like. 70 see, Mr.. Root become memb Der
# Mr. Root cares to enter the Cabinet at ali he
would be better satisfied with the Attorney
1t was learned late tonight that the Presi-
,.ent had determined to offer the War porto
lilo to Ehu Root. but desires to consult the
formal tender. Mr.. Root has not been
BY pss not the
nppiested with him 'A BY te %ss e The
va insosSsa by Nf: Pjp.t iSr shs ~:
GREENE Gre At to the Cabne 80 seePetsry Age
ceptable to Mr. Plat and the New York organ
Ia %ss rule
that the new Secretary OF War should be q
lawyer.
day early next week To. m orrow Gov t" T f.
sSss s,Is Beach
pointed to succeed GEN. Aiger as Secretary Of
M wish to + sa
there will be peace in the Philippines that when
Congress meets again there ,will be no Philip
tary OF War will be to lay the foundation under
military projection Of a system Of civil govern
will Of necessity be done under the military
the PreSldent DelleVeB that the man VINO must
do 1t should be young, vigorous man and a
lawyer. He is anxious. according 10 those
get the services Of man Of national
reputation in the law. 10 whom the entire work
of laying the foundation OF the civil govern
ments on the islands can be intrusted In the
formation of these governments many legal
questions will arise and they must be thor
oughly understood by the Secretary OF War in
order that the work may be done expeditlously
| and without Misunderstanding.
The New York Republicans have been led to
believe that the President will not appoint as
| Secretary any man except lawyer. They be-
lieve, that man like Elihu Root, for example,
would be appointed by the President In q mir :
ute. Washington dispatches yesterday said that
Mr. Roots name was being mentioned there as
say say that he would hardly be likely to accept
The friends OF Gen Francis V. Greene hone
that he will be appointed. He himself will not
| discuss IT,
Gen. Charles H. T., Coils called on Senator
Platt al his office. 40 Broadway, yeste rday and
had a talk. Gen. Coils said atterward that he
would not decline the sScretaryship II it were
offered to him.