The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-23
MICHIGAN S%ENATORSHIP.
SECRETARY ALGER SAYS THAT HE
rs IN THE RACE TO STAY..

Not Likely to Retire from the Cabinet on
Account of His Candidacy-The Admins
istration Is Not Involved In the Friction
ExistinR Between Mcmillan and AlRer.
WASHINGTON. May pit cannot be learned
from Secretary Alger or anybody else that the
Senatorial situation in Michigan involves in
any way the relationship between the Presi-
dent and the Secretary OF War. The friction Is
all between Senator Mcmillan and Gen. Alger
and the situation Is this: A year or two ago
Senator Mcmillan permitted his determine
lion to retire from the Senate In 1901 to be-
come known in a semi-oflcial way. Then
Pingree doomed into prominence and tried to
defeat the reelection OF Senator McMillan's
colleague. Mr.. Burrows. At the same time
Pingree.and Alger. who had long been political
enemies. became very friendly. and the Gov
ernor frequently visited the Secretary OF War
In Washington. apparently being on the friend
Hest terms. IL looked like an Alger- pingree
combination to defeat Burrows and send Pin
gree to the Senate. Mcmillan. Pingree's Bit
terest and most powerful political oppone ant
in Michigan. and the object OF PinRree's espe-
cial enmity. thereupon came out for Burrows
and aided in his reelection. After that the
Michigan Republicans who control the party
machinery seemed to discover that to keen
PinRree out OF the Senate Mcmillan must re-
verse his decision to retire. and for the past
ak months II has been generally understood in
Washington and in Michigan that the Senator
would stand for reelection. Secretary Alger.
who. 1t appears. was tho real candidate and
not Pingree. would not believe that Mcmillan
had changed his mind. although on every hand
could be seen evidence that he had.
"Why.'tEe Secretary would always say. Nc
MILAN told me himself that he would retire and
give his influence for my election as his sue
nnoa0r To he haI JnnilAJ 80 ~n~,t. L.. ~
Senate. he would have told me. II. however.
he does seek another term. he will find me in
the field against him."
As time passed. Mr. Alcer became impressed
with the fact that he had been laboring under
a misapprehension. and. to bring matters to a
head. he, telegraphed to Mcmillan last week.
asking him point blank il he was a candidate
Tor the senate, and Mr. Mcmillan promptly
Secretary Alger apparently has no intention
Ing his candidacy for the Senate. The Legisia-
ture will not be elected until the fall OF 1900.
ct snd M ths new y. i Sspn'o Fl pr tss% MIL M FIX Rss,n aux. sP;
get It. but those. in WASHINGTON who are we'll
relations between the President and the Sac
rotary Of War do not believe that the Secretary
will. b" retired under fire. At one time. a few
ing to Senator McMilian's appointment as Sec
sstaEy Of War; his place II the Senate to be
however. and 30 the plan, which undoubtedly
dent and the Secretary OF War. was abandoned.
1t 10 not at all likely now that Gen. Alger will
leave the Cabinet unless he does so volunta.
rily for the purpose Ct furtherlng his own po-
litical plans.
Secretary Alger said this evening that when
he announced his candidacy for the vacancy
created bv the expiration OF Senator McMil-
JAMS term he went into the race to stay, and
did not intend to change It. The Secretary
did not care to say anything further other
than that he expected to have a conference
with Senator Mcmillan. at which they would
! talk over Alger's claim that Senator Mcmillan
had promised him not to be a candidate his
time.