The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-21
PINGREE SAYS
IT'S COWARDLY.
Michigan Governor Stands Up
for His Ally, Alger.
Declares Presidents Course
Has Been UnmanIy.
HE OFFERED TO QUIT.
Says Secretary PrOfFered Res
ignatiOn Time and Again.
That Mckinley Wouldn't Hear
of His Going.
MADE USE OF HOBART
To do What He Didn't Dare to
do Himself.
Governor Calls on People and
Press to Rally.
Says Secretary PrOffered Res
ignation Time and Again.
That Mckinley Wouldn't Hear
of His Going.
MADE USE OF HOBART
To do What He Didn't Dare to
do Himself.
Governor Calls on People and
Press to Rally.

Detroit, July Ex-Governor Pingree
today handed to the Associated Press
a prepared signed interview. giving
what the governor asserts to be facts
which are absolutely reliable, bearing
upon the relations between General
Alger and President Mckinley with
which the public is not familiar
At the outset the governor says: Il
have no hesitation in saying that the
course pursued by the president in this
matter is little less than cowardly. 1t
IS to say the least, very unmanly."
Governor Pingree said his informa-
tion did not come from Gen. AIger but
from one whose knowledge of the facts
can not be disputed.
Proceeding, he says that repeatedly
since the eastern newspapers began
their attack upon Secretary Alger the
secretary informed the president that
If these press comments embarraS SSed
the administra tiOn in the slightest de-
gree, he would resign at once, but the
president as often protested emphaticaI-
" that he had the utmost confidence in
Secretary Alger and his conduct of the
war department ana that the country
could not afford to lose his services.
The governor says that at the time
his alleged alliance with Gen. Alger
was announced and before his disavOw-
al of interviews criticising the president
had reached Washington, Gen. Alger
told the president that upon the presi-
dents slightest intimatiOn, he would
resign, but the president refused to en-
tertain the idea for a moment.
As to the alliance being any reason
for asking for Secretary Alger's resig-
nation, Governor Pingree says: Long
before my announcement that I would
support Secretary Alger for the senate,
Secretary Hay on June 3. requested
Vice President Hobart to intimate to
Gen. Alger that his resignation would
be acceptable to the president and
would relieve him from the embarrass-
ang attacks of the press upon the con-
duct of the war. Mr.. Hobart very pro-
perly declined to be party to such an
unmanly, not to say cOwardly proceed
ing, and expressed his opinion in terms
decidedly vigorous
After that Gen. AIger entirely ig-
nOrant Of this misera bic conspiracy
several times offered to end the attacks
by submitting his resignation. but still
the president did not have the courage
10 express himself 70 his secretary.
Gen. Alger finally did hand his resig-
nation to the president to take effect
January %.
The president dared not faceth gen
eral in a manly way and ask him to re-
tire and give his reasons for making
the request. He finally accomplished
by 1ndirectiOn what he dared not do in
an open and frank manner himself''
Gov Pingree states that Mr. Hobart
was finally prevailed upon by AttOr-
ney General Griggs TO convey to the
secretary that his resignat tiOn was de-
sired and gave my alleged alliance
with the secretary as q preteXt -
Commenting upon the whole matter
the governor says that Gen. Alger's s
sacrifice" was compelled by demands
Of New York politicians. backed by the
''unscrUpulOus and heartless press" He