The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-14
GENERAL p6LhYcAL
NOTES AND GOSSIP.



circles yesterday. Army officers stood
aghast at the nerve, displayed by Eagan
in his attack on his superior officer. Such
language has probably never before been
directed by subordinate against his SUI
perior in this or any other country. Cen
eral Eagan can have the satisfaction at
least CT having established new prece-
dent in military annals. 1t is not one,
however, that is likely to be followed.
The politicians continued to discuss the
probable political effect of the scandal.
They believe that it will require prompt
and energetic action on the part of the
President to avert disaster to his Admin
istration and the Republican party.
1t is assumed in most quarters that Gen.
eral Eagan consulted with Secretary Alger
before he delivered himself OF bis remark
able utterances. General Eagan has ap-
parently purposely invited court martial
of himself as an indirect way to bring
General Miles to book. Eagan. it is said,
relies upon the Alger War Department
ring to protect him at the court martial
and save him from dismissal from the SER
vice. of course If the court martial should
sustain General Eagan 1t would be n vir-
tual condemnation of General Miles and
render his longer continuance in the SER
vice impossible. But in the meantime the
President is likely to take hand. No one
was party to General Eagan's astonish
ing TRADE. He was probably as much
surprised at it as anyone in the coun-
try. What course the President will pur
sue beyond ordering a prompt court
martial of the commissary general is
matter of conjecture. Speaking on this
point one of the Presidents friends said
yesterday: Something more is required
from Mr.. Mckinley than the mere ordering
a q rti al tn, try-
He should relieve that officer of his office
forthwith and then turn his attention TO
Secretary Alger and the members of the
Alger ring in the War Department. I'm
less Mr.. Alger can prove conclusively that
he was not cognizaut of General Eagan's
attack before il was made the President
ought to demand his resignation from the
Cabinet. II seems to me that he should do
so anyway on general principles Alger
has brought more discredit on the NcKfn-
ley Administration than all the other
members OF his party put together. He Is
too heavy load for any Administration
to carry. Mr. Mckinley has allowed his
good nature to be imposed upon too iong
"a it is. There is NV no longer any ca tn
ly reason why he should permit Mr.. Alger
to continue in his Cabinet. Political and
personal considerations demand that Mr.
Alger be unloGded at once. The honor
and credit of the Administration is at
stake. to say nothing of the future OF the
Republican party. If Mr.. Mckinley does
not act promptly Congress will be likely
10 take the matter out of his hands"
Mr. EIiins and the West Virgins
senate Fighf---Senator Elkins it Is I'M
derstood, has gone TO Charleston, w. Va,
TO take hand in the West Virginia sena-
rnrial contest cana,nr r-Ii,i,e ir e,.r,,o.,5 10
be backing Commissioner of Internal Reve-
nue. n. b. Scott but the fact that Mr.
Elkinss fatheTin- Law. Henry c. Davis, is
one of the Democratic candidates, may
handicap his zeal for Mr. Scott some
what. Davis is said to control a certain
number of Democratic members of The
legislature absolutely and II Is said that
there are Republicans in the West Viz
einia legislature who have a very kindly
feeling for Mr.. Davis. When Mr. Elkins
was elected. two years ago. several Demo-
cratic members OF the legislature gener-
ously offered to vote for him. but Mr.
Elkins would not permit them to do So
He thanked them for the compliment. but
said that he preferred to be elected by
Republican votes IL possible. This incl
dent shows the good feeling that exists
in West Virginia between certain kinds
of Democrats and Republicans. 1t is said
that the same kindly spirit obtains in the
State today and that the final outsome
of the contest at Charleson is likely to be
the election of Henry G. Davis-probably
as an independent Democrat.
Roosevelt and the Ptntt Machine
There are indications that the tension be
tween Governor Roosevelt and the Plat
machine or Republican organization OF
the Empire State is getting very tight,
and is likely to snap almost any day. on,
of Governor Roosevelts latest acts has
been to appoint Col John " Partridge
of Brooklyn to be superintendent OF public
works in place Of George W. Aldridge.
This is one of the most important posi-
tons in the State, has an immense amount
of patronage and political power. The
scandal growing out Of Mr.. Aldridges
management of the office particularly in
the matter of the expenditure of $4,000, $50
for canal improvements, came very near
swapping Governor Roosevelt and his
party last Fall. Roosevelt pledged himself
10 appoint a good man to the head OF this
department and to prosecute all offenders
against the law The machine evidently
did not expect him to keep his word. The
members of the organization are disgust
ed II Is said. with the selection of Colonel
Partridge. The latter has never been an
organization Hdh' ana VIII ploDdD pay
no attention to political pulls. The cru
cial test of Governor Boosevelt's party
loyalty viii come, it is believed. when
certain political measures that are pending
in the legislature are sent to him for his
approval If Colonel Roosevelt throws the
organization down on these bills there will
be serious trouble right away.
Told in the senate cIonk-Room.-
1t is customary for senators when overcome
from their labors to retire to the cloak