The times., 1899-06-25
SUNDAY. JUNE %, 1889.
i. 1t Enrontery or obturenes-.


The remarkable spectacle of effrontery,
ger is presenting to the country, is so
replete with humorous suggestion as to be
nearly impossible of serious consideration.
His latest performance, in making an al
lance with the Hon. Potato Pingree, and
announcing himself as a candidate for the
United States Senate on a platform of op-
position TO trusts and the election of Fed
eral Senators by a direct vote of the peo-
pie, will not fail TO impress the Ameri-
can people as both brazen and comical
OF all living creatures Alger is the last
one who should indulge in any invidious
remarks concerning trusts. For years he
has been identified with the Northwestern
timber trust, and a more oppressive or
obnoxious monopoly does not curse the
nation today. Governor Pingree seems no
more able to see the humor of Alger's po-
sition than that worthy himself. Refer
ring TO the Secretary's alleged prospects he
says:
] assured him that he could not run on a more
popular platform, and that if he did 80 he would
receive not only the support OF immense ma
= Jority of the people of this State, but the ap-
prosai OF the people of the entire nation. want
10 say that hope all my friends will lose no oT-
porunity from this time on TO impress upon the
people Of the State that this is TO be their fight
il will be the people against money machine
against corruption in politics and against ''iudi-
cious combinations otherwise known as trusts.
If We concede that Mr.. Mcmillan is
STEPPED TO the eyes in trust wickedness il
is notorious that he never could and never
will hold candle to his rival In that re-
spect, and if he may be supposed. in COM
parison with the person OF Charlottesville,
dangerously to represent money ma
chine and corruption in politics" the re-
suit should be 10 make Mr.. Mcmillan feel
rather angelic than otherwise.
Mr.. Alger declares that he favors the
election of Senators by a.direct vote OF the
people. 1t is a surprisingly queer PROPOSE
tion upon which TO base his own candidacy;
because few things in this vale of tears
are as certain as thai Russell A. Alger
could not muster corporals guard of
voters for himself in a popular election
either in Michigan or elsewhere, whatever
may be the truth as to his possible fnan-
cial influence upon Legislature
1t is early for general political predic-
tions. though less so than usual in his case
In any event, We will venture the prophecy
that Alger will neither soon nor ever see
the inside of the United States Senate
as a member of the body. unless in the pos
sible contingency of an ad interim appoint
ment Even then the Governor who should
so offend the decent opinion of the State
and country would be made quickly to
realize that he had committed political
suicide.
There is an apparent obtuseness about
Mr.. Alger in reference to public opinion
with regard TO his personality and history,
that is truly inconceivable. Most men cir
cumstanced as he has been would be only
too glad to be left in total obscurity In
dividuals of sensitive nature. in q like
case might have been tempted to leave
the country or change their names. But
he acts as If he though; the pointed re-
marks and references of the independent
press only brightness added to the nimbus
of a great and sanity character; and as
If they did not reflect and represent a
universal national verdict of highly un-
complimentary character.