The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-21
ALCER FEELS RELIEVED
Will Bave Only His Own Bur-
dens to Garry.
HE QUITS BEFORE AUGUST
Wreathed in Smiles After an Interview
With the President-An impress
sion That Porter Will Sue
coed to the Portfolio

washington, July 2U.-No definite in
formation was obtained tonight as to
the presidents selection for a success
sor to General Russell A. Alger as sec
rotary of war. This may be due to the
fact that tender of the office is under
consideration by the gentleman chosen.
There is desire on the part of the
president that General Ayers success
sor shall be lawyer of attainment and
high standing in his profession, be-
cause of the colonial and other ques-
tions involving legal constructions con-
stantly arising in the war department
now that the army is administering af-
fairs in the islands relnquished by
Spain. 1t is felt advisable from a po-
litical point of view that the new man
should come from New York, which
has been without representation in the
cabinet since Secretary Bliss resigned
The gentleman whose name has been
under most careful consideration as
meeting these professional and geo.
graphical requirements is Elihu B.
Root, but whether he has been COM
municated with on the subject cannot
be learned definitely.
The talk that Attorney General
Griggs would be shifted from the de-
partment of justice to the war depart
ment was put down very effectively
! tonight by the attorney general him
self, who returned to the city this even
ing, and who, when inquired of on the
subject, made it plain that his wishes
were that he should not be considered
in this connection.
Secretary Alger will relinquish the
war portfolio before August l.
Kinley at the white house this
morning shortly before noon and was
with him few minutes. When he left
he appeared to be in excellent spirits.
His face was wreathed with smiles as
he expressed to several newspaper men
who gathered about him his apprecia-
ton of their good wishes.
You feel relieved of great burden?"
one OF them suggested.
Yes, / do" replied the secretary
Hereafter l will only have my own
burden to carry"
The secretary said that he would re-
linquish his portfolio as soon as the
pending routine matters of the depart
ment were cleared up and Assistant
Secretary Meikeljohn, to whom the
office is to be turned over pending the
appointment of General Alger's success
sor, is ready to assume charge.
Assistant Secretary Meikeljohn wired
this morning he would be back on Sat
urday
Il shall retire before August" said
the secretary.
General Alger said he would go back
to Michigan and for the present, at
least, devote his time to his health. He
said he knew nothing about his sue
cessor. Asked as to whether he would
press his senatorial candidacy the Sec
rotary replied:
Il cannot tell now"
Postmaster General Smith saw the
president to-day. AS he left the white
house, he gave an emphatic denial to
the suggestion of his possible transfer
to the war office. Il have troubles
enough of my own" he said smiling.
Secretary Alger was an hour late in
reaching his office this morning. He
spent that hour in going over his pri-
waite correspondence at his residence.
There were more than the usual number
of kilograms.
lily outside of Washington wired ap-
prevail Of his action of yesterday and
although the secretary himself did not
on to believe they included messages
political life.
When Secretary Alger arrived at his
office he entered Immediately into con-
ference with Adjutant General Corbin
and Major Hopkins. Senator Fairbanks
also called. He was taken into the
private Office and half an hour was
in, ropfarapre