Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-06-29
Alper as n Political Pooh Bah

Anger US IL I-OIlt1CaI IOOn-f1an,
The extent to which Gen. Alger as secre-
tary of war is figu ing in the admnistra-
ton of the affairs II the United States at
tht present time dofs not readily appear
unless one has given special attention to
the subject. To state the situation con-
cisey, he is not only conducting the war
department, which has charge of our mill
tary operations in the Philippines, but in
asmuch as Cuba and Porto Rico are still
under military form of government he
also has a close relation with the manage
ment of civil affairs in those islands. In
addition to his duties as military and ex-
cutive officer, he is also formulating pro-
gramme in advance for the republican par
~ of the great State which he represents.
The undertaking of these combined duties
would be regarded by most men as a large
contract, but the responsibility seems to
rest SO lightly upon the capacous should
ers of the secretary of war that he is al
ready seriously contemplating additional
burdens in connection with the race for the
United States senatorship in Michigan.
If Secretary Alger had exhibited the pos
session of sufficient ability, wisdom and
discretion for the performance of his
duties in an efficient and satisfactory man.
ner as executive head of the war depart
ment, the people would have no right to
complain of his assumption of additional
responsibilities so long as he continued
, to perform acceptable service. Cnfor-
tunately, however, Gen. Alger has not
pleased all of the people; his administra-
ton of the war department has not salts
fled one quarter of them, and the number
who are enthusiastic supporters of his
management of our wars of the past tf-
teen months form still smaller fractional
part of the great American unit.
Tho people of the United States are long
suffering at times and they would undoupt-
eddy overlook Ayers past delinquenoies,
if he should show any visible disposition
/ to reform. His most recent utterances
tend to indicate. however that he is an
immune as regards the contagious infIu-
ences of public sentiment. In spite of the
castigation received through the press and
otherwise. he continues to conduct the war
department to promote his individual inter-
ests and to crafty his personal animosties
rather than with an eye single to the well
fare of our people and the progress of our
nation.
In response to criticisms Of the conduct
of the war against the Filipinos with too
small a force Secretary Alger replies that
he will recommend to President Mckinley
. that a larger force be sent to the Philip
J pines about October /, a date over three
months distant. The secretary thus pro-
crastinates in spite of the fact that valua-
, BILE time is going to waste as regards the
crushing of the rebellion, ard he also ig-
, nores the rapid wasting away of our force
In the archipelago through losses from
, battle and disease and the expiration of
term of service of many volunteers.
/; A popular demand is arising for a change
of commanding generals in the Philippines
but Secretary Alger in response says he
, sees no reason why Gen. Miles should be
; sent TO take the place of Gen. Otis. lie in
sists that Gen. Otis has accomplished all
that could reasonably have been expected
of him, and the latter officer is eXtolled In
a manner indicating that the secretary OF
, war has no idea of changing existing con-
pines are concerned, He overlooks the
fact that either he or Gen. Otis are seri.
ously Kicking or else we must face the nee
essity Of waging varying and prolonged
campaign in the Far East.
r Whether Secretary AlgeV desires to post
2 pone action with reference to the Philip
pines in order to look after his politca
E fences cannot be stated definitely, but GER
9 tain it is that he is devoting large degre,
= of attention to his candidacy for the UniteI
/ States Senate IN connection with his pro
= tracted absence from Washington. He ha!
= also assumed in manner quite characters
tic to formulate some OF the issues for hi!
r party in Michigan in spite of the fact tina
o this duty is usually reserved for the STATE
t convention. He is to conduct his canvass
+ on a platform embodying an anti-trus
: plank and declaration in favor of tn,
= election Of United States senators by tn,
2 people, and other Michigan republicans cal
e go as they please
: The course pursued by Gen. Alger IL
n retaining his place in the cabinet whil
h antagonizing the people in various way
= and in anticipating the utterances of tn
y regularly constituted conventions canno
d fail to seriously handicap the administra
= ton at Washington. If he were not bin,
i to all save his own interests he would Sc
h the Inconsistency Of his further connection
l. with the war department, but he ha
II shown himself impervous to ideas Of con
Il sistency as we'll as public criticism. Presi
o dent Mckinley will plainly have no alter
j. native but to tackle the issue prompt
and courageously and relieve both the ad
l. ministration and the country Of a trouble
n some incubus.
COLLEGE SOCIETY DANCE.