The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-07-21
RESIGNATION OF ALGER.
Stated that He Would Retire Before the
First Of August.
HAS BEEN RELIEVED OF A GREAT BURDEN
Elihu Root of New York VIII
Dc His Successor.

Washington. July ?o,--Secretary Alger
VIII relinquish the war port folio before
August /. He called upon President Nc
Kinley at the White House this morning
shortly before noon and was with him
for few minutes. Whom he left he APP
peared to be In excellent spirits. His face
was wreathed with smiles as he expressed
10 several newspaper men who gathered
about him his appreciation OF their good
wishes.
you feel relieved of great burdeny"
one OF them suggested.
Eyes, l do" replied the secretary.
Hereafter | will only have my own
burden TO carry"
The secretary said that he would re-
linauish his portfolio as soon as the
routine matters OF the department were
cleared up aud Assistant Secretary Meikle-
john, TO whom the war office is to be
turned ever pending the appointment OF
General Ayers successor. is ready to as
sumo charge.
Assistant Secretary Mclkleiohn wired
this morning that he would be back on
Saturday. Il shall retire before August
j. said the secretary. He said he would
so back TO Michigan, and for the present
at least devote his attention to his health
He said he knew nothing about his sue.
cessor. Asked as to whether he would
press his senatorial candidacy. the score
tary replied II can not tell now"
Postmaster General Smith saw the pres
!dent today as he left the. White House
He gave an emphatic denial to the sug
gestion of his possible transfer to the war
Office. Il have troubles enough OF my
own" he said. smiling.
secretary Alger was an hour late In
reaching his Office this morning He spent
that hour In going over his private corro-
spondence AT his residence. There were
more than tho usual number of kilograms
Every member of the secretary's family
outside of Washington wired approval of
his action. but the secretary himself did
not exhibit any of these kilograms or any
correspondence.
When Secretary Alger arrived at his Of
flee he Immediately entered into confer
ence with Adjutant General Corbn and
Major Hopkins, Senator Fairbanks also
called. He was taken into the private
office and half an hour was spent in con
ference
The following is Secretary Ayers letter
of resignation and the presidents reply to
It:
July 10, 1S99--Sir: | beg to tender to
you my resignation of the office OF secre-
tary OF war, TO take effect at such time
In the near future as you may decide the
affairs of this department Will permit
In terminating my official connection
with your administration ! wish for your
continuous health and the highest measure
of success in carrying out the great work
entrusted to you.
~ have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant.
"R. A. Alger"
ITO the President"
The president replied;
Hon. h. A. Alger. Secretary of War.
Executive Mansion July 20--Dear Sir.
Your resignation OF the office of secrc-
tary of war under date of July 10 is ac-
cepted, to take effect the first of August
1899
In thus seYerlng the official relations
which have continued for more than tive
years desire to thank you for the faithful
service you have rendered the country a
a most exciting period, and to wish you
long and happy life
with assurances of high regard AM
esteem. ] am yours sincerely,
William Mckinley"
The belief is gaining ground in well in
formed circles that Eiihu Root of New
York viii be rendered the secretarysbip
of war.