Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-20
NOTABLES GATHER ON JEKYL
Presidential Party Will Take Quarters Near
Speaker Reeds Lodging.
DISTINGUISHED PARTY WILL MEET mENLEY
Many Current Regarding the
Meeting of Chief Executive and
House MISUNDERSTANDING
Alger May Resign.

Jhhfb SDAND, via Brunswlck, ia,
March 19.--on the surface this has been a
balmy, southern coast Sunday in this ideal
resort Of millionaires. But there is an UNI
dercurrent of preparation for the ensuing
week and of political speculation as to
what the week will bring forth, that serves
TO put those closely interested upon the
t~enter-hooks. Speaker Reeds presence, his
smiling complacency, the visit Of the presi-
dent with his campaign maker. Senator
Hanna, Vice President Hobart. ex-Secretary
Day and other notable personages tomorrow
form the basis for the speculations.
1t Is also expected that Secretary Alger
will arrive tomorrow or Tuesday and that
adds to the guessing. There are those who
believe that one of the important points to
be decided at this conference of the pow
ers Is whether or not Alger shall retire from
the cabinet. A rumor current here tonight
Is to the effect that the secretary's resig-
nation has been prepared and that during
the current week the president and his ad-
visers will determine whether or not It
shall be accepted.
Nest Of the discussion, however. centers
upon the approaching meeting Of Speaker
Reed and the president. speaker Reed is
taking life easy and there appears no trace
on his countenance of the approaching
visit Of the chief executive. He knows that
he was on Jekyl first and that the evidence
is all in his favor as to the administration
coming to him. Whatever may have been
the wireworking to accomplish this end.
the situation is anything but unfavorable to
the speaker. He took a spin over the island
Uis morning with apparent delight.
Quarters for the President.
President Mckinley and party will occupy
the Frederick Baker cottage. This is To-
Gated on the north side of the Jekyl club
house and is about 200 yards distant from
the Sans Souci apartment house wherein
Speaker Reed is domiciled as the guest of
John G. Moore of New York Meantime ar
engagements have been made to give the
president and party a warm and hospitable
reception. Upon the arrival of the president
at Brunswick he will be met by Mayor At
kinson and the leading citizens and meta
phorically given the keys of the city.
There was talk of a special steamer to
bring him to Jekyl, but the arrangements
now are that he will com on the regular
line steamer, Governor Stafford. A dis
~tinguished party will meet the president
at the Jekyl dock. 1t will consist in part
of Thomas Nelson Page, the novelist; Rob-
ert Howell Russell, the artist; H. w. Can
non, president of the Fourth National bank
New York; General Hayes of New York;
Joseph %Stickney, the coal mine magnate;
Joseph Pulitzer Of the New York World;
James A. Scrymser, president of the Central
& South American railroad; H. K. Porter
Of P%ittsburg; w. b. Isham, president Of the
Bank Of the Metropolis of New York, and
Robert G. Pruyn Of the Commercial bank
of Albany, N. Y.
Strict instructions have been given that
no newspaper men be allowed on Jekyl
island during the presidents stay. 1t is
understood to be- Mr.. Bliss desire that no
newspaper men come down as the president
is supposed to be simply out for rest and
recreation.
Alger Going outh..
WASHINGTON, March 1s.-Secretary AL
ger returned to Washington tonight from
his brief visit to Boston and Montreal. The
secretary said he expected to leave Savan-
nah, Ca, Thursday for a trip to Cuba on
the regular trip of the transport ingalls,.
He has never been to Cuba and takes the
trip to familiarize himself with the con-
ditions there and to get a brief respite
from official duties in Washington.
Major Hopkins, his military aide; Victor
l.. Mason, his private secretary, and several
ether persons will accompany him. Whether
he would go further than Havana the Sec
rotary would not say tonight, but indicated
that that would depend entirely upon circum-
stances.
The secretary said, in answer to the direct
question, that he did not intend to go tc
Jekyl island, to which place the president
vice president, Senator Hanna and others are
booked for a visit during the present week.