The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-23
RESTS WITH PRESIDENT.
Al Opportunity to vIndIcatc Secretary
AIeer.
NEWSPAPER COMMENT IN DETROIT
Wree Press Declares Michigan Men
eWill Not Contemplate with Com
posure Process Of Crucihxion."


will say. editorially, tomorrow:
After suffering the slngs and arrows
OF outrageous assailment for the past
year. assailment so persistent, bitter and
malignant as to amount to downright per-
socution, Secretary Alger has placed his
resignation In the hands OF the president,
subject to action at Mr.. McKinleys pleas
ure Considering his administration of the
war department. vindicated by the reports
OF the investigating committees and by
the approval Of the president. and insist
ing strenuously that he would not retire
while under fire, General Alger has finally
been forced by the increasing clamor of tina
newspapers and certain administration
.eaders at Washington to tender his resig-
cation.
This action OF the secretary Of war
ought to give infinite satisfaction to the
maligners who have pursued him with
savage Intensity. Without desiring to pal
late In the east the shortcomings, mis-
takes and mis- judgments of the secretary
of war, and without abating one jot or
little OF our adherence Of his Introduction
Of the spells system In the organization
of the volunteer army, the Free Press
deems It no more than simple justice and
accuracy to say that General Ayers faults
OF omission and commission are not so
numerous and glaring in comparison with
the shortcomings and failures OF other
members OF the administration that he
should be made to bear all the reproaches
and odium and disgrace for official in
competency and taithlessness in connection
with the war.
OTHERS EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE.
Stirred as they were by some OF the
deplorable developments OF the short cam
paign, 1t was natural for the people to
clamor for the visitation of chastisement
upon some one In authority, and for OBJ
vious reasons the secretary of war became
the target for all the fierce imprecations
and insinuatious But it was not fair or
Just, even IL 1t were natural. The presi-
dent OF the United States and Adjutant
General Corbin were quite as much the
directing spirits of the war as General
Alger, and everything that the latter did
was with the approval OF Mr.. Mckinley,
Tho appointments recommended by the
secretary of war, upon social or political
grounds required presidential approval.
The merit principle, disregarded by Cen
eral Alger, has likewise been violated by
tlt president in his latest civil service
order II the considerations that led to
the selection of General Alger for the head
of the war department were unworthy and
productive OF mischief. Mr.. Mckinley was
every bit as responsible as the man he
honored. He understood the nature and
the capabilities OF the appointee, he rati-
fed his policies and his recommendations
for commissions before and throughout
the war
A QUESTION FOR THE PRESIDENT
1T is more of question for Mr. Nc
Kinley to answer than appears on the
surface. II means more with relation to
Mr.. McKinleys standing with Michigan
republicans than many administrationists
have seemed TO appreciate. There is a
kindly feeling for the Michigan man
among the people of his city and State
and they will not contemplate with conn
posure the process of cruclfixion directed
against one OF their prominent and popular
fellow citizens because some one must be
called upon TO suffer shame, and anguish.
and derision, and persecution for practices,
systems, policies, and plumbers that a
president, or a congress, or a party is as
much responsible for as the scapegoat
selected for sacrifice.
THE republicans of Michigan may be
moved to ask why President Mckinley does
not take his share OF the blame; and why
congressman, who have failed to give the
Nation sensible system of army organiza.
ton, and who have crowded their favorltes
into commissions. do not take their share
Of the censure; and why the party lenders
that are forever seeking to extend tho
spoils system do not assume their portion
Of the denunclation that is heaped upon
the secretary of war.
''The sensational yellow newspapers, the
selfish Administrations. and the party
leaders who are very solicitous about
shielding the president from popular out
cries, have succeeded in bounding General
Alger into rendering his resignation. 1t Is
in the hands of the president
THE TR,BUNE's OPINION.
Following is the Tribune's editorial Oh
Secretary Alger's resignation;
"In rendering his resignation, to take
effect at the pleasure of the president.
General Alger has displayed a political
shrewdness which 1t Is not customary to
expect of him. By his action he has re-
lIeved himself from the pressure imposed
by that faction which has constantly ac-
cused him of embarrassing the administra-
tion. He passed the responsibility on 10
the president himself. II Mr.. Mckinley
accepts the resignation. as II is semi
create widespread sympathy for the secre-
tary here In his own State. which will b.
of great value to him In his senatorial can
didacy. and will also give the generals
friends pretext for revealing oil the facts
concerning the presidents alleged per-
sonal responsibility for many Of the mis-
takes Ter which the secretary was cursed
during the Spanish-Ameri war.
ION the other hand, II the president had
taken the other course and declined to
accept the resignation, he would have ad-
miuistered singing rebuke to those OF
his supporters who have continually de-
mauded Ayers retirement and practically
closed the mouths OF the latters chief
critics. thus giving General Alger vim
dication all the more forceful by reason OF
the extraordinary virulence Of the assaults
which have been made upon him. At the
same time the general would have APP
p&rently placed the administration under
removed obligations by his graceful offer
10 step aside 1t . time when certain ele-
neuts IouA In their protestations OF de-
yotion 70 NJ president referred to him as
! milestone around the latter's neck 1t is
Iifneuit 70 ~ how the general can lose
saythtug ~ III move. whether his offer Is
lccepted opifejected.
4; FAILURE TO REQUEST 1T.
y ssftN - n UAt rAvfaf however that fha