The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-28
ALGER TO BE THE SACRIFICE.
HIS RETIREMENT FROM CABINET
CONSIDERED CERTAIN.

Republicans Say Sentiment Is Such
That He Must GOWN lie a Severe
Blow 10 the secretary-Bacon MAX
ing "A Fight ON sheIby-Chapman
wants TO Succeed Scott--More
Money 60 be Appropriated for the
OcmuIgee.
Washington Feb. 27.-(speciaD. .--"Secre-
tary Alger's retirement from the cabinet Is
only question Of time"
This significant remark was made to-day
at the capitol by one of Secretary Alger's
nearest and most trusted personal and po-
Iitical friend
For many months there have been fire
quent rumors OF Alger's retirement from
the cabinet but up to the present time
there seems to have been but little founda-
ton for the periodical repnrts TO the DIS
advantage of the present Secretary of
War.
Without betraying confidence am JUS
tilted in stating that the friends Of Secre-
tary Alger now realize that there is a
strong pressure from within the ranks of
Alger out of the cabinet
Il fear he will have TO CO." said the Sec
retary's friend. Until recently II seemed
as though the persistent attacks upon Sec
retary Alger were inspired by a few sensa-
tional newspapers. Now, 1t has gone be-
yond the newspapers. and has been taken
up by some Of the most influential men,
har ~ he
that the good OF the party demands the
sacrifice of Alger. With such pressure
behind the President, Il Is doubtful wheth-
er he will be able to withstand It, for the
President was deeply Impressed by the I'M
fortunate incident IN connection with his
recent trip TO Boston, when the Secretary
of War was Kissed on the public streets.
at will be a terrible blow to Cen Alger,
and doubt whether he viii survive the
modification six months.
Voices Their Sentiment.
This friend of Secretary Algcr only
voices the sentiment of number of in
fuential administration Republicans,
who discuss the subject sub
rosa. A strong administration
senator said to-day that he has heard con-
siderable talk during the past week about
forcing Alger out of the cabinet.
1T is very unfortunate" said he, "that
these army scandals should have arisen,
but II had 40 be, and Aieer seems 10 be the
scape-goat for all the mistakes that oe-
Cured during the war with Spain. / be-
lieve him innocent. and / would be IN
favor OF standing by him to the end, but
public sentiment seems to have settled
upon him as the victim for The sacrifice,
and | suppose he will have 10 pay the pen
atty in the name of the Republican party"
Bacon Working Against shelby.
The nomination of Judge Shelby was
called up In the Judiciary committee this
morning, and Senator Bacon again OBJ
iected to its immediate consideration with
out going into details.
Senator Bacon said he felt It extremely
important, in view of the great RESPONSE
bility of the Office, that all who desired
should be given an opportunity to be
heard on the question of confirmation, and
added that all he desired was that there
should be as thorough an investigation as
possible.
Senator Bacon is in receipt of several
important letters bearing upon this mat
ter, the contents of which, as he explain
ed, he would not dvulge to
anybody until he had satisfied
himself as 10 the character and RESPONSE
bilIty of the writer's. If an investigation
on his part led him TO believe that the
writer's of those letters were not worthy
of credence he would very promptly destroy
them without showing their contents to
anybody. II, on the other hand, they do
come from reliable sources, a more thor
ough investigation win be absolutely nee
essary, as Senator Bacon explained to his
fellow members on the committee.
II il were not so near the close of the
session ne would insist that there should
be at least a months delay in order to
make the fullest possible investigation into
the qualifications and character of the man
selected for this very important judicial
office, the highest Office in six states. As
Il is he does not know whether the APP
pointment win be confirmed at this ses-
sion or not Certain 1t is, however, that
the power to prevent confirmation is abso-
lutely in his hands.
Chapman After Good Job.
Col w. II. Chapman, Internal revenue
agent now stationed at Atlanta, is here
with the strongest possible backing for
the position Of assistant commissioner Of
internal revenue. There is a vacancy be-
cause Of the appointment of former AS
slstant Commissioner Wilson to the head
of the department in place OF Commis-
sioner Scott, who has been elected senator
from West Virginia.
There Is no man in the revenue service
with a better record than Col. Chapman,
and II Is the belief OF his friends here that
he has a good chance Of winning, although
II has been published that another man Is
slated for the place. Col. Chapman has
the strongest kind OF Endorsements from
many prominent men, among them Gov
Gambler. Judges Pardee. Newman, Speer
and Bruce, Marshals Barnes OF Georgia
and Bryan Of Alabama, the United States
officials, and the officers OF the United
States courts, the teading Southern Repub-
licans, including such men as Senator
Pritchard and the members Of the Repub-
llcan committees Of Georgia. Virginia
Florida and other states, where his long
service in the internal revenue department
is known. These are all strong requests
for his appointment
Money for the OcmuIgee.
The only possible change in the river
and harbor items relating TO Georgia will
be the restoration OF the paragraph about
the Ocmulgee river to $4,000, as 1t passed
the House The Senate committee cur