The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-26
lIcKinIey'S CoWardilce.
GOV. PIMGREE ROASTS
THE PRESIDENT, and
GIVES FACTS.
ALGER OFFERED 20 RESIG N
REPEATEDLY BUT McKIN-
LEY URGED HIal TO
REMAIN.

Detroit. Mich, july 2l-Go7. Pin
gree today handed the Associated Press
a prepared, sigued interview, giving
what the governor asserts to be facts
which are absolutely reliable, bearing
upon toe relations between Gen. Alger
and President Mckinley, with which
the public are not familiar"
At the outset the governor said Il
have 30 hesitation 10 saying that the
course pursued by the president 10 this
matter is little less than coward'y. It
lie, to say the least, very uumaoly y
Gov. Piogree said his information
did not come from Gen. Alger. but
from zone whose knowledge Of the facts
cannot be disputed
Proceeding, he says that repeatedly
since the eastern newspapers began
their attack upon Secretary Alger, the
secretary informed the president that
if these press comments embarrassed
the administration in the slightest
degree he would resign at once but
the president as often protested emphat-
ically that he had the utmost confidence 10
Secretary Algec and his co0dncs of the
war, aud that the country could DOT
afford to lose his services
The governor Gays at the time o!
MS "alleged alliance With Gen Alger
wss announced, and before his disa.
vowal of interviews crisicisiug the
president had reached Washington
Gen. Alger told the president that,
upon the presidents slightest iutima-
ton. be would resign; but the president
refused to entertain the idea for a
moment.
AS to the "alleged alliance" being
any reason for asking for Gen Alger's
resigcation, Gov. Piogree says:
"Long before my announcement that |
would support Gen. Alger for the
senate. Secretary of State Hay en-
June 2 las. requested Vice President
Hobart to intimate to Gen. Alger that
his resignation would be acceptable to
the president and would relieve him
fran the embarrassing attacks Of the
press upon the conduct Of the war.
Mr. Hobart very properly declined to
be party to such uumauly. Dot to say
co~ardly. proceeding, and expressed
his opipioa in terms decidedly vigor
Gus
"Aff,er that Gen Alger, entirely
ignorant of this miserable conspiracy,
several times offered to end the attacks
by submitting bis resignation, out still
the president did not have the courage
to express himself TO his secretary.
Gov. Alger finally did hand his resig-
nation to the president, to take effect
January 2.
"Tbe president dared not iace the
general in a manly way and ask bin to
retire and give his reasons for making
the request He frankly accomplished
by iodirection what be dared not do in
an open aud frauk manner himself.
Gov. Piogree states that Mr. Hobart
was foally prevailed upon BY Attorney
General Griggs to convoy to the score
tary that bis resignation vas desired,
and 'gave u alleged alliance with the
secretary as a pretexs u
Commenting on the whole matter,
the governor says that Gen AIger's
sacrifice was compelled by demands Of
New York politicians, backed by the
"unscropulous and heartless press.
He predicts that it will be learned
"that the president himself Will be re-
spoDsible for whatever mistakes have
been made ln conducting the var"
He adds Il am told on the very
best authority that Gen. Alger made
very few appointments of officers during
the war, and that the commissions we're
issued almost entirely upon toe ORDER of
the president
The governor asserts that the most
receot attacks upon Alger we're caused
5y his frank declaration Of opposition
to trusts, apd be ADDS that there is g
decided cdor os trusts around the pres
ent administration, with Mark Hanna
as the acknowledged king maker 2"
In conclusion, the governor calls
upon Michigan people aud newspapers
to protest agaioss the ipjrssice done the
States foremost representative 10 pub
iic life
It is co0jeotured here that Brig. Gen E.
Henry NJ Duf6sld gave scme of the
foregoing Information, but the general
declines to be Interviewed