The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-25
AlGR'S Resignation
Letter to the President
and the Reply.
BOTH COLDLY FORMAL

The Secretary sul Reucessa N TO Cause
OF His Observation-Disclosures Great
Relief NJ BEING Free From Responsi.
s~ility-Gossip a. 60 His sueeessor-The
Preadens Cables His Thasks 60 the
Soldiers In the Philippines for servs
inx over Their Tfmc.
Washington, July e0.-Secretary Al
ger Will relinquish the war portfolio
before August LIST. He called upon
President Mckinley at the White Gus
this morning. shortly before noon and
was with him for a Few minutes. When
he left he appeared to be in excellent
spirits. His face was wreathed with
smiles as he expressed to several news
men who gathered about him
Ibis appreciation Of their good wishes
You feel relieved OF a great burden?"
n OF them suggested.
Yes, l do" replied the secretary.
Hereafter / will only have my own
burden to carry"
The secretary Ia that he would re-
linQuish his portfolio as soon as the
pending routine matters of the depart
ment were cleared VI and Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn. to whom the war
Office is to be turned over pending the
appointment OF General Ayers sue
cessor. is ready TO assume charge. Gr.
Meikletohn wired this morning that he
would be back on Saturday.
Il shall retire before August lst,"
said the secretary. General Alger said
h. x-a,,ll ~ hnAI 80 AG.,s~an ANl Co..
the present at least devo his atten-
ton TO his health. The secretary said
he knew nothing about his successor.
Asked as to whether he would press his
senatorial candidacy. the secretary re-
piled: Il cannot tell now"
ALGER'S LETTER AND THE PRES
iDENTS REPLY.
The following is Secretary Ayers let
ter of resignation and the presidents
reply, to-wit:
July 10. 1899.
I Sir: L beg to tender to you by res
ignation of the office OF secretary OF
war, to take effect at such time in the
near future as you may decide the az
: fairs Of this department will permit.
I'm terminating my official connec-
tons with your administration I wish
for you continuous health and the high
est measure of success in carrying out
the great work entrusted to you
L have the honor to be.
Very respectfully.
Your obedient servant.
r. A. ALGER-"
ITO the President"
The president replied as follows:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, July 20, 1899.
Hon r. A. Alger, Secretary OF War:
Dear Sir: o resignation OF the Of
flee of secretary of war, under late OF
Tllu 10Th 10 nnnanfna 20 AnLA nTaaNe
the 1st of August. 1899.
In thus ~severing the official relation
which has continued for more than two
years, l desire to thank you for the
faithful service you have rendered this
country at a most exacting period, and
to wish you a long and happy life.
with assurances Of high regard and
esteem,
Il am yours sincerely.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY."
ALGER RETICENT.
Secretary Alger maintained the same
reticence today that he adopted yes
terday after the resignation had been
presented. He would make no state
ment and every inquiry was met with
the declaration hat this same silence
would be preserved so long as he was
a member Of the cabinet.
GOSSIP AS TO HIS SUCCESSOR.
Inc most aDSorDlnS ana generally
discussed topic here today was the
choice of a successor to Secretary Al
ger. Many names were mentioned in
the speculation, blu it al be stated
with authority that as yet the presi-
dent has made no selection. Both Sec
rotary Long and Postmaster General
Smith, who were with the president for
a short time, expressed the belief that
no member of the abine would are
to be shifted to the war department.
| Among the names most prominently
mentioned was that of General Horace
Porter, ambassador to France. Sena-
tor Thurston, of Nebraska, called at the
White house during the day and urged
the promotion OF Assistant Secretary
Meiklejohn. Nearly every general who
figured in the recent war has been
mentioned as q possibility, that of
General James III. Wilson being about
the most prominent in that class.
A strong belief expressed In certain
| circles Is that the successor Of Mr.. Al
| ger will come from New York. In this
connection the name Of Mr.. Elihu Root
has been suggested. A high admiutstra>
ton official said today that the next
secretary of war Will no only be a New
Yorker, but a lawyer as well. The au-
thority for this statement was In CON-
sultation with the president today and
he stated that while IL may be said
that as yet the selection has not been
finally passed upon New York, now
without representation, has the strong
est claim for recognition The belief
gained ground this afternoon that Mr..
Root will be rendered the portfolio.
f., MKINLEY'S THANKS TO THE SOL
! DIERS.
The war department today made pub
lie a telegram from the president to
General Otis, thanking the men in the
Philippines for their patriotism in re-
naming in service after the ratification
Of the treaty OF peace. The message
is as follows:
Executive Mansion,
Washington. July /. 1899
Otis, Manila:
The president desires to express in
the most public manner his appreciation
Of the lorty patriotism shown by the
volunteers n regulars of the Eighth
army corps in performing willing SER
VICE through severe campaigns q
battles against the insurgents In Luz
ION when, under the terms Of their
enlistment, they would ave been en-
rIrleA1 m thar di=1harra rn0r tho rr@S