The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-07-21

WASHINGTON. July 3.-No definite In
formation was obtainable tonight as to
the presidents selection for a successor
10 een. Russell A Alger as secretary of
war This may be due to the fact that n
tender Of the once Is under consideration
by the gentleman chosen. There Is n de-
sire on the part OF the president that
Gen, Alger's successor shall be a lawver
of attainment and high standing IN h,s
profession because of the colonial and 9TH
er questions involving legal constructions
constantly arising In the war department
now that the army Is administering af-
fairs In the islands reiinquished by Spain
1t Is felt advisable from political point
of view that the new man should come
from New York, which has been without
representation In the cabinet since Secre-
tary Bliss resigned The gentleman whose
name has been under most careful con-
siderasion as meeting these professional
and geographical requirements Is Eiihu
Il. Root. but whether he has been com
municated with on the subject cannot be
learned definitely. though there Is appar-
emily good ground for the belief that he
has been.
The talk that Attorney General GrigSs
would be shifted from the department of
Justice 10 the war department was put
down very effectively tonight by the at
torney general himself. who returned tn
the city this evening and who. when In
quired OF on the subject. made II plain
that hts wishes were that he should not
be considered IN the connection.
Senator Thurston. of Nebraska. called at
the White House during the day and urged
the promotion az Assistant Secretary Mek-
,eiohn Nearly every general who figured
I'm the recent war has been mentioned as
possibility. that Of Gen. james III. Wilson
being ab0u. the mos. prominent in this
class.
AIger Calls on the President.
Aiger Will relsnquish the war portfolio
before August J. He called upon President
Mckinley a. the White House this morn
ing shortly before noon anf was with him
few minutes, When he left nc appeared
70 re in excellent spirits. HIS face was
wreathea with smiles. as he expressed to
several newspaper men who gathered
abeus him his appreciation Of their gaot.
wishes
''You ftsi relieved OF grea. hur3sn-'
ons Of them suggested.
yes do" replied the secretary.
thereafter wig oa!y have my own surdeH
10 carry"
The secretary sad that he woais re-
iinqu3sh h's portfolio soon as the pend
ing routine matters of she department were
cleared up and ASSISTANT Secretary MessIe-
gohn. to whom the war office is IN b.
sgrnee ever pending tire Hppointmsa, az
Gen Aiger's successor. ss ready 20 assume
charge Assistant Secretary Aesklejosa
wired his chief ~ wgS5a be hack on sat
Erdsy.
II saaa retire before August" said the
SECRETARY.
Gen Aiger sasG he would 80 bark to
Michigan. asd fer IRE present. a; ie1s'. d.
vote his tine 20 hss Sesisn- He sA.d ~
knew aosfalrg abo2t his successor.
ASKED as 10 whether ks wassd press ns
serasoraai candidacy. ths secretary repiiee:
- cannes fess now.e'
The Letter of Rests nat ten.
The soitowiag - S@eretary Algcr's lestsr
os resignation aa9 me presidents reply "a
81:
1agy n 1ssa
gsr- beg 20 tsFssr - ron sxsy se xssa-