The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-26
Will Not Hold Office Until
the First of August.

Washington. July 90 Secretary
Alger will relinquish the war porto
lilo before August lst. He called
upon President Mckinley at the
White House this morning shortly be
fore noon and was with him for few
minutes. When he left he appeared
TO be in excellent spirits. His face
was wrea!hed with smiles as be
expressed to several newspaper men
who gathered about him his apprecia
ton of their good wishes
''You feel relieved of great bur-
deo ?1' one of them suggested.
Eyes. / do,'; replied the secretary
thereafter I will only have my own
burden to carry
The secretary said that he would
reIinquish his portfolio as soon as the
pending routine matters of the
department were cleared up, and
Assistant Secretary Meikejohn, to
whom The war Office is to be turned
over pending tie appointment of
Gen AIger's successor, is ready to
assume charge. Mr.. Meikejohn
wired this morning that he would be
back on Saturday.
ssT shall retire before August 1st. "
said the secretary, Gen Alger said
he would 90 back 10 Michigan and
for the present at least devote his
attention to his health The secre.
tary said he knew nothing about his
successor Asked as to whether he
would press his senatorial candidacy.
the secretary replied 81 cannot tell
now"
The following is Secretary Alger's
letter of resignation and the presi-
dents reply 10 it:
July 19, 1899.
To the President
Sir: I 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 connec
ton with your administration !! wish
for you continuous health and the
highest measure Of success in carry
ing out the great work entrusted to
you.
have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
R A. Alger.
The president replied
Executive Mansion,
Washington, July 20. 1899
Hon. R A. A'ger, Secretary of
War
Dear Sir: Your resignation of the
Office of secretary Of war under date
of July 10Th, is accepted, to take
effect the first OF August. 1899.
In thus se7ering the official rela
ton which has contioaed for more
than two years, ] desire to thank
you for the faithful service you have
rendered the country at most exact
ing period and to wish you a long
and happy life
With assurances OF high regard
and esteem,
| am yours sincerely,
VIM. Mckinley.
Secretary Alger maintained the
same reticence today that he adopted
Yesterday after the resignation had
been presented He would make no
statement, and every inquiry was
met with the declaration that this
same silence would be preserved go
long as he was member of the
cabinet
The most absorbing and generally
discussed topic bere today was the
choice of successor to Secretary
Alger. Many names were mentioned
in the speculation, but it can be
stated with authority that as yet the
president has made no selection
Both Secretary Long aod Postmaster
General Smith, who were with the
president for short time, expressed
the belief that no member cf the
cabinet would care to be shifted to
the war department. Among the
names most prominently mentioned
was that of Gen. Horace Porter,
ambassador to France. Senator
Thurston of Nebaska called at the
White House during the day and
urged the promotion Of Assistant
Secretary Meikeljohn. Nearly every
general who figured in the recent
war has been mentioned as posi-
bility, that of Gen. James Il Wilson
being about the most prominent II
that class