The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-07-21

WASHINGTON. July 9.-spccial-The
retirement of Russell a. Agcr was the
principal topic of discussion here to-day.
The conceusus of opinion seems TO be
that the Secretary OF War has been badly
treated. Not that be was compelled 10
resign. but the fact that an Of the weak
nessos Of the administration are placed
Co his credit
A sCAPE GOAT
Ii Is commonly regarded here as an ate
tempt OF the administration To- cover up
IT'S faults While Alger is not regarded
aq a particularly brilliant man. ii is point
cd out that each and every one Of his
acts have met with the approval of the
President. In fact Mckinley conducted
the whole war.
WAS A NECESSITY.
So weak has been the policy OF the Pres
ident that scape goat was absolutely ne
cessary Alger was made the victim and
his deposition was spoken OF on all sldes
to-day as "crucifcuon.'
To show that Mckinley sdid not regard
Alger as the cause OF the cutlery against
the management Of the War Department.
it is stated that the President never de-
sired u displace the Secretary until the
Alger-Pingree combine
A POLITICAL MOVE.
"The President IS playing politics said
Michigan Republican to-day. "and every
thing that he does is actuated from polit-
cal motives ] know absolutely that
Alger has had vt~y little TO do with max
ing any of the appointments. The army
contracts were also given out by the
President indirectly and this was done
with "a view of securing the support OF
the contractors in 1870.
when the press of tho country were
accusing the President Of whitewashng
Alger by means uf several investigating
boards. he was really covering mp his
own sins
A CHANGE or FRONT.
u was amusing 90 observe the sudden
change OF sentiment here to-day. Only
Yesterday morning Alger was being
abused and vilihed. This afternoon the
tide has changed in his favor and the
President is regarded as the true cause
of am the criticism which has driven
Alger from the cabinet.
FOR REMUNERATION.
Mckinley is making a desperate effort
10 De renominated In 1900 and TO that
end is using his Office 90 prevent any one
who is likely % be an aspraut for the
honor from gaining any distinction
Every appointment is made with an OBJ
jcct in view. IL s. generally regarded
that Attorney General Griggs or General
Horace Porter will be asked TO accept the
war portfolio.
Here again 81 IS pointed out that the
President is playing politics Griggs as
Attorney General. is well known 90 favor
trusts and his action in the carter case
has subjected him TO much criticism. TO
remove him from his present position
is said to Doe 20 play of the Presidents.
ln this manner Doe hopes 10 create the
impression that De is against trusts.
while mo the same time he viii please the
corporations and his action is thoroughly
understood by them If General Porter
is appointed this will give New York
state % place in the cabinet.
". A. Haywood was to-day appoited
postmaster at Hayes store Gloucester
county vice Julius Lounsberg. removed.
SELLING OLD VESSELS.
Bids were opened at the Navy Depart
ment yesterday for the sale OF several
vessels. now at the Norfolk navy yard.
ana which were purchased by the de-
partment az the beginning Of the war
with Spain. but which having been found
unsuitable for the service have been con-
oemned. First was the Governor Russell.
a wooden ferryboat. which was converted
into am auxiliary gunb0at She came from
Boston and the bidder for her was the
city of Boston. It's bid was $1,000 which
IS $1,000 less than the appraised value
FOR the East Boston also "a Boston
ferryboat Of wood. of 63l tons which had
been converted into am auxiliary gunboat.
Arthur j. Phillips. OF Portsmouth. Va.
nid &3Son The appraised value was
$4,000
Tne Vulcan. formerly the Chatham. Of
the Merchant and Miners Line. was con-
verted during the war into "a floating
machine shop. She is appraised at Slo0.-
90 For her Michael jenkins Of Balti-
more bid 5000 The Scip.o is "a 1000
ton Scotch steamer used as a collier
during the war Her appraised value
WAS s25e'' bHt Lewis Luckenbach Of
New York bid $-0o25 The Niagara. a
ward Line steamer. of 1921 tons. which
was appraised at 5000" was bid I'm by
r. r. Booth OF New York. at SIS $685.
The yacht Inquirer was Withdrawn from
thu sale