Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-07-25

The resignation Of Secretary Alger
had been anticipated, but not so soon.
Il was thought probable that he would
hold on until the beginning OF the next
year. Ii had been intimated that he
wished TO complete his annual report
and have the writing OF the official his
tory OF military operations during the
year. He has asserted repeatedly that
he would not retire under fire. That,
however, sometimes becomes the only
prudent course. The secretary has re-
tired under fire, after all. He Is not
bomb-proof, although he has shown re-
markable tenacity In sticking TO an ex-
posed position raked on all sides by the
most terrific fusilade OF criticism that q
public mau has experienced In recent
times. He resigns an office 10 which he
IL not adapted and to which he should
never have been appointed aud probably
would not have been appointed had the
course OF events been foreseen. The
country had been nt peace for many
years, and In the winter Of 1897 peace
seemed likely to continue. With our
small standing army the war portfolio,
while not sinecure, was OF minor I'm
portance among the government depart
ments. Had this hslcyon state OF things
continued, there would have been no
cause of complaint against MIR. Alger
and he would doubtless have retired at
the expiration Of his term with record
as good as the average Of his Immediate
predecessors and In the enjoyment Of
public respect. But the turn OF events
In Cuba, capped by the destruction OF
the Maine, radically changed the situa-
ton and hurried the country into war.
To whatever degree he may have been
a victim OF system and OF conditions
for which he was not 10 blame, Mr..
Alger soon proved unequal TO the
emergency. He lacked the energy, fore
sight, administrative ability and re-
sourcefulness that mark the great war
minister. Almost from the start his
administration hiss abounded In plumbers
and scandals. Justly or not, he rs the
head of the military department was
held responsible for the Encouragement
Of the medical, supply and Transports
ton bureaus, the assembling OF badly
provided troops 10 unssnitary camps,
there TO become the prey OF filth dis
eases, the confusion and delay at Tampa,
the suffering Of the soldiers on the
transports, the lack OF needed supplies
and attendance In Cuba, the Montauk
scandals, the beef scandals, and others.
As II these were not enough, he must
needs finally involve himself In politi-
cal ENHANCEMENT concerning the Michi-
gan Senatorsbip. The latter was indeed
Of small moment, so far as relates to the
public, compared with the others, but II
was very serious blunder for Mr..
Alger. His alliance with Governor Pin
gree, an svowed opponent Of the sd-
ministration, In q contest against an adj
Senator, had the effect OF
putting him In an attitude OF antagonism
TO the administration Of which he was .
part. II he did not perceive this he was
blind indeed. Although he hsstened to
break of the alliance as soon ~ he found
how It was working, yet the mischief
was done. The Michigan business was
the last straw. It put him out Of har-
mony with his official surroundings and
doubtless hastened his retirement. The
probability is that Secretary Ayers
resignation means the close Of his public
career. -Portlsnd Advertiser.