The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-08-17
WASHINGTON.

From our Regular Correspondent.

N"N iSPoi'o VI luC ualIy press
throughout the country as to epidemic
of yellow fever at the National Sold
ier's Home at Hampton, Va, have
proven to be grossly exaggerated.
Owing to the prompt and energetic
measures taken by the authorities the
disease appears to be fully under con-
troll, and an epidemic character really
at no time prevailed. Official report
to Surgeon General Wyman reports
no new cases, and if the favorable
temperature prevails, the now pend
ing cases are expected to run a salts.
factory course. So far there have
been az cases, eleven of them result
ing in death. The situation at the
Home and immediate vicinity is con-
sidered satisfactory. The exaggerat-
ed reports cast so recklessly abroad
are much to be regretted.
1t appears probable from develop
ments during the past few days in the
War Department that Secretary Root
has in contemplation an army of quite
10000 men for the Philippines. While
Mr.. Root has been at the head of the
department only brief time, the
trend of his efforts has been, it is al
legged, wholly in the direction of an in
crease in the available forces in the
East. The belief is growing in army
circles that Secretary Root has in
mind plan practically matured to
make Gen. Otis available force at
least 10000 men. The number of
enlistments in the new volunteer army
have now reached a total of o,o63.
Secretary Root has made favorable
impression in official circles here.
What especially impressed the officers
who welcomed their new chief, was
the business-like manner in which he
went about things. 1t was noticed,
however, that the new Secretary has
no present intention of "downing Cot
bin" as some persons have urged him
10 do. At the same time it appears
that Gen. Miles is to receive every
consideration. There can be, how
ever, no change in the department
personnel. The heads of the bureaus
cannot be disturbed by any Secretary,
unless by assent of the President and
Congress. The incompetent must
continue to block progress until old
age removes them to the retired list.
1t is the system that needs revising
and secretary Root understands the
situation.
"There is only one Alger" was dis
playel on two immense banners at the
reception given to Ex-Secretary Alger
upon his return to Detroit. This in,
scription stated the situation in nut
shell. If there had been more in the
past eighteen months, it is painful tc
imagine what would have become O.
the country. One Alger demoralizet
the army, several of them would have
shaken the foundations of the Govern
ment and reduced the country to {
state of chaos. The people outside O
Detroit regard the existence OF "only
one Alger" as a merciful dispensatior
of Providence. This Republic has to
carry many burdens, heavily weighed
as it is, it has still managed to keel
above water. With the tribe of officia
Algers increased, however, its burder
would become greater than it coul(
sustain. There is national re
joicing over the fact, that there i
"only one Alger." Now that he ma
retired to private life, let us hope hi
species will become extinct as facto
of American government. The re
ception accorded to Gen. Alger il
Detroit was also remarkable for tn
utterances of Gov. Pingree. Th
Governor has been acting as mouth
piece of Gen. Alger and saying wha
the latter thinks but refrains from, ut
tering. Through Plngree's receptiv
and agile mouth he can anathemiz
Mr.. Mckinley and hold him up i
contempt, Gen. Alger will find Gov
Pingree valuable medium for e'
pressing his views of those who hav
relegated him to the dullness of
provincial existence at Detroit, afte
allowing him to taste the joys of o
fetal power at Washington. Mr.. A
ger will have an excellent opportunit
to get seven" with the adminstratio
who made a scapegOat of him. III