The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-07-03
He Says the Attacks on the War De-
partment Are Made in New York
to Cause Vacancy.
NO CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORT
SIMPLY OFFERED ASSISTANCE WITH
THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.
Neat Fling at Mcmillan and Burrows
wv. j. Bryan Says washing
ton Was All Right.

DETROIT. Mich, July 2.-Governor Pin
gree tonight sent letter to Secretary AL
rotary and the numerous comments recent
ly published concerning the agreement made
by the Governor to support Secretary Alger
in his campaign for the United States SEN
atorship. The letter is as follows:
my Dear General-I subscribe to a clip
ping bureau and have, within the past few
pings from newspapers published in every
part Of the country containing what pur-
ports to be an interview with me in which
criticisms of the present administration are
put in my mouth. ] am astonished at the
circulation and credence which this alleged
interview has received. ! would not take
cognizance of it were it not for the fact that
1t seems to have been SO widely circulated
and also for the reason that there are many
people who have yet to learn that what is
termed political news and opinion are as
unreliable, inaccurate and prejudiced as the
newspaper mans ingenuity and cunning
can make them.
at did not seem to me necessary to deny
the interview. 1 would not give it any
thought whatever, were 1t not for the fact
that it is made the basis of a petty and
mean spirited attack on you, which is, how
ever, but a natural product of small caliber
intellects. There Is not single sentence in
1t which was spoken by me. 1t is the inven-
ton of a reporter who may or may not have
been acting under instructions from his
chief.
81 have at different times expressed my
opinion of the necessity for the war in the
Philippines. / have, in common with thou
sands of others in the country, disapproved
of II and have had no hesitation In giving
my views whenever 1 have been asked for
them. 1 voted for Mckinley and have had
no cause whatever to regret 1t. If he is a
candidate again, will take pleasure in CIV
ing him my support.
'It has always seemed to me that the
criticism By New York newspapers of the
management Of the War Department has
amounted to a condemnation rot only Of
the president, but of the entire Cabinet. II
Is well known that no important step Is
taken without the concurrence or at least
the advice Of the President and the Cabinet
1 am we'll satisfied that the attack on the
War Department is nothing but cunningly
conceived plot to create a vacancy to be
filled by New York politician. Already
the New York newspapers are discussing the
distribution of the patronage of the de-
partment. The other papers in the country
have simply repeated what the New York
newspapers have said.
'Of course, Ii Is not surprising that Sena.
tor Mcmillan and his me too Senator Bur
rows have joined in the contemplate scheme
to discredit and defame the War Depart
ment.
In so far as the alleged alliance with you
is concerned, / can freely and frankly say
that none has been made. AS your are al
ready aware. 1 simple proffered you my
support in your candidacy for United States
senator. and only wanted TO know whether
you were in favor Of an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States permitting
the election OF United States senator's by di.
rect vote of the people. 1 was glad to be
advised by you that you favored the re-
striction of trusts but neither of these
things was made the condition of my sup.
port. In common with thousands of other
Michigan people. 1 merely offered to assist
you. II anything, 1 have profited by it pc.
litically, because the American people detes
cowardly methods of fighting.
The language which Is attributed to M
in the false interview, in which / am mad,
to critics. and abuse the administration
should have condemned the interview as ;
fabrication at once. But even more absur,
is the statement made by the press that
am an avowed candidate for the Republican
nomination for President at the next ma
tional convention; that you have made al
alliance with me, and that, therefore, yol
have practically declared your opposition
to President McKinley and should retir,
from his Cabinet.
''Of course such a statement is too sill,
to be entitled to serious attention 1t 4
sufficient 10 say 10 you that / have not anC
never did entertain the remotest intention
of becoming a candidate for the presidency
The story is only another invention OF Mich
igan newspapers.
Il think the time is not far distant whel
public opinion will compel newspapers to b
fair and decent in their treatment Of men Il
public life. Until 1t does l am conviucet
that the only course TO pursue is to ignor
their malicious attacks Attempts to cor
rect their reports only result in provokin;
a more liberal outpouring of editorial venom
After all. 1t is we'll to remember that
newspaper represents the opinion OF onl,
one man and that opinion Is usually in
huenced by every motive except desire &
do full justice. The time is not far distan
when the people will awake to this fact
and when they do there will be radica
change in the policy Of conducting the news
papers of the country, and especially in thei
treatment Of public men. Regretting II tn
hle Hherfias taken NTH M. rax,n