The times., 1899-04-17
MONDAY. APRIL II, 1899.
The Triumph of AIserism.


There is reason to believe the Adj
ministration has decided that come what
HAY Secretary Aiger is 10 remain in the
Cabinet. The reasons are many. but not
intended for public discussion. Among
them is not the Presidents belief in the
efficiency of mis- Secretary of War. 1t is
outside the range Of possibility that there
ehculd be any difference of opinion be-
tween the people and the President as 10
The incompetency. neglect, and contempt
for the interests of the public service III
Ihe administration CT this department dur
ing the war with Spain. The President has
had the same evidence that the psople have
had, and no other, and it is incredible that
there should not be the same verdict.
From the virtual suspension of General
Niles and the selection OF an incompetent
commander for the CUBAN expedition,
which visited needless suffering. disease,
and death on the soldiers, and from the
neglect of all the reasonable needs of the
army in the American camps, which pro-
duced the most cruel results. TO the pur-
chase OF meat unfit for food. without inves-
ugatioa and in defiance CT distince warn
ings. II was cne long abuse.
The people. regardless of political par
iisanship, kave been forced by the over
whslming evidence against the War De
partment to find Secretary Alger lacking
in the simplest requirements of an eff
cient head That and the inexcusable war
on General Miles. together with the ap-
rointment of the inexperienced and trifing
sons of politicians TO important army po-
siticns over the heads OF tried officers. have
caused rational scandals of unparalleled
magnitude. The fayors shown 10 personal
business associates have been at dear
cost TO The soldiers. 1t is ineonceivable,
therefore that IL the President were il pos
session Of information that would aeqult
Secretary Alger OF the responsibility for
that which has aroused an intense indig
nation. he would withhold il from the
country Hence, the inference is that ihe
President can have no more confidence in
The efficiency of his War Secretary than
other sensible men who have read the evil
dence and have seen the results.
The appeal for the retirement OF Sec
retary Alger has been made by Republi-
can newspapers Of influence as measure
OF justice to the party. The New York
Tribune" has been especially earnest in
representing that the cause of good gov
ernment. the sentiment OF the people. JUS
iiee TO our soldiers. living and dead. and
the welfare of the Republican party all
require that he shall no longer hold the
place he has been so unable to fill with
.,-1f4 ~ ts,a Aa,,ipfc-ratfnr In SnagL
ing plainly on this subject. Mr. WhiteIaw
Reid has shown himself to be a loyal
American. a faithful Republican. and a
man OF courage. He has put aside all self
ish considerations, risked the loss of the
support OF blind or INSCRIPTIONS partisans
and risked his own political ambitions. to
warn the President OF the dangers TO which
he subjects the party by retaining Secre-
iary Alger in the Cabinet. II is inevitable
that the men who control the party or
ganization and in whose hands the Pres
ident has placed himself. will attempt to
punish Republican who dares 10 speak
for what Is right and just to his party
when il is in opposition to their selfish
schemes and interests. Mr.. Reid had full
knowledge of this in advance. He knew
that in principle there is no difference be-
tween Aguinaldo, who cuts of heads for
unpalatable advice and Senator Hanna un-
der the same provocation.
How far the President himself is to
blame for the unfit appointments in the
war is not a matter of Importance now.
II he shall decide to defy public sentiment
and reject the advice OF sincere Republi-
cans. the President will become respon-
sibie for all the War Department scan
daIs and the brutal frankness and dull
sensibilities of his advisers. 1t Is a mat
ter OF sorrow 10 the patriots who have
applauded his many brave and good acts
that he should fail below his best in a
matter about which the country feels so
deeply.