Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-20
TO RETIRE AUGUST |
Secretary Alger's Resignation Form
ally Accepted.
Mr.. MEIKLEJOHN RETURNS SATURDAY
ReIievedat Not Having Others Bur-
dens to Bear.
VISITED THE PRESIDENT

While it has not been definitely decided, it
is probable that Secretary Alger will relin-
quish his duty early next week, perhaps
Monday. The Secretary was an hour late
in reaching his office this morning. He
spent that hour in going over his private
correspondence at his residence with Mr..
Mason, his private secretary. There were
more than the usual number of kilograms
this morning. Every member of the Secre-
tary's family outside of Washington wired
approval of his action of yesterday. and,
although the Secretary himself did not ex
hibit any of them, there is reason to believe
they included messages from some persons
very prominent in political life. expressing
their view upon his resignation.
When Secretary Alger arrived at his office
he entered Immediately into conference
with Adjutant General Corbin and Major
Hopkins. Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania
was among the callers, but his visit related
purely to departmental matters Senator
Fairbanks, just returned from Alaska, also
called. He received a larger share OF the
Secretary's attention than any of the 9TH
ers, was taken into his private office and
half an hour was spent in conference.
During the morning a telegram came
from Assistant Secretary MeikleJohn. The
Secretary had been pursuing him by wire
since yesterday afternoon. He was wan
dering in the wilds of Wisconsin and the
last address he had given was Wayauwega,
where he was to remain till the Goth, today.
But he had broken his schedule, for the
telegraph people, after much delay, had
finally succeeded in locating him at New
London, Wis The Secretary had telegraph
ed him the fact of his resignation and asked
him TO return to Washington at his earliest
convenience.
Mr.. Meiklejohn's reply was that he would
reach here Saturday night. This enabled
Secretary Alger to begin arrangements to
relinQuiSh the department next Monday.
During the morning Major Pruden, assist
ant private secretary to the President.
called at the department to see the Secre-
tary, and the impression prevailed that he
had brought with him the Presidents let
ter of acceptance to Secretary Ayers resig-
nation This turned out to be error, for
the major came on purely personal bust
ness
At the White House.
He called upon President Mckinley at
the White House this morning shortly be
fore noon and was with him for a 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 appreciation of their good wishes
You feel relieved of a great BURDEN"
one Of them suggested
Yes, / do replied the Secretary. Here
after / Will only have my own burden t.
carry"
The Secretary said that he would relE-
QuiSh his portfolio as soon as the pending
cleared up. and Assistant Secretary Meikle-
john. to whom the war Office is to be turn
ed over pending the appointment of Gen
Ayers SUCCESSOR is ready TO assume charge.
Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn wired this
morning that he would be back Saturday
Il shall retire before August L. said the
Secretary.
On his way to the White House and after
reaching there Secretary AIger met many
friends. who expressed regret at his retire
ment from the cabinet.
Secretary Alger said that he knew moth
ing of who might succeed him.
The Secretary vas asked if he intended to
go TO Michigan and enter into the seHatoriai
campaign That is a long way on he
said My health is to be my first consid-
GRAFTON now. l shall try 10 restore that"
The Secretary does not look like a well
man.
Secretary AIger stated that he has not
decided whether he will continue in the
senatorial race. but it is said to be certai,.
that he will remain in the race if his
health will permit.
Awaiting the Presidents Action.
Up to 1 o'clock the President had not ad-
vised Secretary Alger of the acceptance O.:
his resignation. 1t was taken from this by
those closely associated with the Secretary
that the President was turning over the
matter before making a final response, and
while there seemed to be no doubt enter
tanned that the Presidents acceptance
would be forthcoming very soon, yet 50
long as this formality remained to be per
formed the matter was considered Open
and. to some extent, in doubt The Secre-
tary letter Of resignation was not mad
public either at the White House or
through the Secretary, the purpose being
10 withhold this until the Presidents re
sponse permitted the correspondence to he
given in complete form. 1t is hardly
probable however, that the text of the
communication will add very much to whar
is already known.
Maintained His Reticence
Secretary Alger maintained the same reti-
cence today that he adopted yesterdav "
after the resignation had been presented
He would make no statement. and every
inquiry was met with the declaration that
this same silence would be preserved "a
long as he was member of the cabinet
When his connection with official life
ceases. the Secretary's friends say that he
Will then be at liberty to make statement
which Will relieve him from the cloud un-
der which he feels he has been placed
Summoned to the white Uouxe.
Secretary Alge- returned to the War De-
partment from his home DIT 2:3O O'Clock this
afternoon. and shortly after went over to
the White House IN response to a telephone
message that the President desired TO see
him 1t was understood that the Presi-
dent had prepared letter accepting Sec
retary Ayers resignation and desired TO
hand II 10 him In person. Secretary Alger
will relinquish cOntIol OF affairs of the
War Department the return of Assist
ant Secretary Meiklejohn, who is due here
Saturday night.
Resignation Accepted.
Secretary Alger received this afternoon
from The President a letter accepting his
resignation. TO take effect August l.
The letter was brought to the War De-
paruGent by Mr.. CorteiyOu, acting secre-
tary for the President. The secretary did
not make its terms public, but read 1t TO a
few intimate friends.
Customs Receipts at IIoiIo.
Intelligence received by the War Depart