The times., 1899-04-16
GENERAL WASHINGTON
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

NEWS AlSO OOSSff.
Aiger Wils>stick.-The first announce
ment Secretargialger authorized upon his
return ffonf his trip to the West Indies
was that he would not resign from the
Cabinet, and-never had any thought OF
doing so. There was a confident ring in
Mr.. Alger's6voice. He spoke as a man
might who was dead sure of his ground.
He will not resign and he is confident. ap-
parently, that Mr.. Mckinley Will not dare
apply the toe of his boot to him and kick
him out. Unfortunately. there is good rea-
son to believe that Mr.. Alger understands
Mr.. Mckinley and the influences that con-
troll his Administration so well that ne
is practically master of the situation. Fos
the time being he is bigger man that
Hanna or even the President. One eXpla-
nation is that Alger knows tco much to be
safely turned down now against his viii.
There is very little sentiment in the make
up of Russell A. Alger. His business tram
ing has taught him that bargain once en-
tered into must be carried out. His pres
ent position in the Cabinet did not come to
him by accident, as is well known. Mr..
Alger carried out the conditions of the ar
rangement so far as he was concerned,
and he now naturally expects the Admins
leading Republican yesterday, lis not
particularly concerned as to the ultimate
fate Of the Republican party Mr.. Mckin-
ley's reelection, for instance. does not
interest him one-half as much as his own
individual prospects. Mr.. Mckinley can
only rid himself and his Administration OF
Ager by using a club. Nothing short OF
that will make the slightest impression
upon him."
The Volunteer SOldicrs.-The demand
of the Governor of South Dakota for the
immediate return of the South Dakota
Volunteer Regiment, now in the Philip
pines, to this country is not likely to re-
ceive serious attention by the Administra-
ton. The request of the South Dakota ex-
ecutive will probably be ignored, as the
Government does not recognize the right
of the Governor of any State to control
the movements of the soldiers from his
State after they have entered the service
of the United States. The Administration
holds that it must be the sole judge OF
what should be done in the premises; that
it has absolute discretion regarding the
mastering out of the volunteers and can
hold them until such time as it thinks best
to let them 60. The highest military and
legal authorities maintain that the Presi-
dent cannot be forced to order the yolun-
teer regiments in the Philippines or else
where to be mustered out before he is
prepared to do SO. The point raised by the
Governor of South Dakota. however is
likely to give the Administration some
trouble, and 1t may result in Fastening the
issuing of the call for the $4,000 provi-
sional volunteers authorized by the last
Congress. The. Administration. 1t is said.
did not intend to call for this additional
force for some little time yet, but in view
of the anxiety of the volunteers in the
Philippines to come home and be mustered
out, it is believed that the President will
direct the issuing of the call for the extra
50. 900 men in order to meet any possible
contingencies that may arise.
Mr.. Quny's Fight.-Former Senator
| Quay is apparently up against hard
game to borrow an expression from the
sporting fraternity. The judge who has
been trying his case has ruled against him
at almost every point, and the prediction
was made by politicians In Washington
yesterday that. Mr.. Quay would be playing
in great luck it he escaped conviction and
going to JAIL The impression obtains that
Quay's rule in the Keystone State is
broken. whatever happens. He is not like
ly to be any longer an important factor in
the politics of the State.
The Legislature at Harrisburg will ad-
journ on April 20. There is not even re-
mote chance that Mr.. Quay will win out.
All that his friends are working for now
is to prevent the election of any one to
the Senatorship, and they are not san
guine of being able to accomplish thzt
much The Quay forces are evidently bad
ly ratified, and the events of the next few
days at Harrisburg may bring about a
termination of the senatorial deadlock
and the final defeat of Mr.. Quay.
The National Conventions. - San
Francisco is making an energetic bid for
both of the national political conventions
| next year. 1t has been the ambition of the
| residents of the metropolis of the Pacific
| Coast for a good many years to have the
honor of entertaining at least one national
convention. They have kindly offered to
| pay the expenses of all the delegates and
alternates from the time they leave their
homes until their return provided the con-
| vention is held in their city. They have
| also stipulated not to restrict the conven-
| tion delegates and their friends in any
thing. Free champagne and free every
| thing will be the order of the day. How
ever. it is not considered likely that San
| Francisco will capture either the Repub-
| llcan or democratic National Conventions
next year. The time that would be con-
sumed in going TO the convention and get
ting back If it should be held in San Fran
cisco is the most serious objection in the
minds of the political leaders to going to
| the Pacific Coast city. II would mean an
! absence from home of at least three weeks
to the majority of the delegates and their
| friends.
| The indications are that both national
conventions next year will be held in Chi
| cagO