Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-07-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
fFrofn orr Rep4,lar Corraspondant.
WASHINGTON, july 10, 1S9

WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1899.
The Alger- Piugree muddle has been
thickened by Ayers positive denial that
he had made a deal with Pingree and
saying that Pingree had merely offered to
support his candidacy for the Senate be;
cause of his dislike for Mcmillan. Later Alger
denied that This sort OF thing is re-
garded by some as Educating the truth of
the story told in washington a few days
ago alleging thu Mr.. Mckinley intended
TO support Alge4 and oppose Senator Nc
MILAN. but others-many others-regard it
as nothing more than frantic efforts of
Alger to retain his hold upon the war
portfolio. The best informed men in
political circles regard break in Mr.. Nc
Kinley's Cabinet as inevitable. 1t may
not be Alger, however, who will 60 out.
1t is well known that the relations between
Secretaries Gage and Alger, never very
cordial, have almost reached the lighting
stage, and not believed that all of Mr..
McKinley's admitted knack of modification
can succeed in keeping two men so antag-
onistic to each other, in his official family.
Secretary Gage would have resigned last
Winter if the powerful financial interests
he represents had not insisted on his re.
naming in the Cabinet. He has never
entirely forgiven Mr. Mckinley for not
recommending the financial legislation be
advised in his annual report. instead of
merely commencing the report to the
consideration of Congress. Mr.. Gage con-
slider himself the only financier and regards
Mr.. Mckinley and the other members of
the Cabinet as timid amateurs. Mr.. Nc
Kinley wishes Secretary Gage to remain in
the Cabinet until after the Presidential
election, anyway, because he knows that if
he retlres before then, it will bring about
material reduction in the Republican CAM
paign fund.
The highest rank held during the civil
war by Hon. D. B. Henderson was Col.
But ever since his election as Speaker Of
the House became a certainty. he has been
constantly referred to as General and
when he came to Washington several days
ago, on a patronage round up trip, which, by
the way, was one of the most successful
made BY any individual under the present
administration, he found that all of the
officials from Mr.. Mckinley down, recog
nized his promotion also that some of the
members of the House were ready to give
him q divine title, if he would only agree
to give them the committee assignments
they hankered after. Col. Henderson
surprised those who thought him made of
sterner stuff, by exhibiting his soreness,
because ex- Car Reed had not congratulate
ed him on the success of his Speakership
campaign.
General Joe Wheeler. who will sail from
San Francisco for Manila on the 10th inst.
says he will not resign his seat in Congress,
because he expects to be back by Decem-
Der.
Here's brand new phase of the expan-
sion question. Bishop Grant, Of the A. M
E. church, (colored), is in Washington
advocating the annexation of Liberia by
the q. S. He told Mr.. Mckinley that
since we had expanded into Asia. we might
as well also take slice of Africa, but
somehow the Liberia idea dosn't seem to
enthuse the expansionists. They think
it all right to annex the saddle colored
man, but draw the line on the black man.
That Hon. John r. Mclean was being
pushed forward by his friends as a candi-
date for the Democratic nomination for
Governor of Ohio, has been apparent for
several weeks, but it was not positively
known whether it was being done with or
without Mr.. McLean's consent. until he
authorized the publication Of the following
statement as to his position: / have not
sought the nomination and do not regard
myself as entitled to demand it; but /
haye friends who have urged my name in
this connection, and l am by no means
Indifferent. On the contrary, would
regard the nomination as a very high
honor, and if it is rendered me, of course,
| will accept, and regard myself as obi
gated to make the strongest fight | can for
the party. | do not think any Ohio Demo-
crat could afford to refuse such a distinc-
ton Mr.. Mclean thinks existing con-
dItions in Ohio gives the Democrats the
best chance they have had for some time,
to elect Governor, and no man has better
facilities than he has through the numer-
ons correspondents of his paper, The Gin
cinuati Inquirer, TO know the exact con-
ditioDs in every part of the State. A Demo
cratic victory in Ohio this year, would
make corking good starter for the Presi-
dental campaign.
Representative Epes, of Pa, heartily
endorses the suggestion, made in q Wash
IUgtoB paper, that Senator Martin be made
Chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, if Senator Jones' health should
prevent his retaining the position. Said
AIR. Epes: Without disparagemeut to any
man ! want to say that Senator Martin has
pre-emlnent qualifications tor the place
lie is one of the wisest managers in the
whole field of American politics to-day,
and if he can be prevailed upon to act as
National Chairman, the party will have
the benefit of an experienced and sagacious
counselor who can be depended upon the
make no mistake in the momentous cam
paigu before u.s."
Governor Roosevelt is now posing as a
military expert. He say that Mr. McKin-
ley sent for him to consult him in that
capacity concerning the officers and
organization of the new regiments which
are TO be Immediately recruited for the
Philippines. 1t is more likely that
Roosevelt's errand in Washington was a
political one of some sort.