New-York tribune., 1899-07-21
ALGER RETIRES NEXT WEEK
NO SUCCESSOR YET SELECTED BY THE
PRESIDENT.
APPOINTMENT NOT LIKELY TO BE MADE
BEFORE AUGUST MANY NAMES MEN
TONED FOR THE PLACE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TnIBUSE.l

BEFORE AUGUST 1-MANY NAMES MEN
TONED FOR THE PLACE
IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUsE1
Washington July 2O.-The President to-day
definitely designated August l as the date OF
General Algers retirement from the war De-
partment. In this he only carried out the VerDai
promise he made to the Secretary OF war yes
terday. The Secretary. however viii not re-
main in Washington throughout the lnteTVdl
before the end of the month. Assistant oecre-
tary Meiklejohn has been discovered at NEW
London. Waupaca County. WIS. and telegraphs
that he will reach Washington Saturday night
Secretary Alger expects to turn over the re-
Eronsibilities OF the office to Mr.. MeikieJohn
quickly, and will go away early next week. re-
turning If absolutely necessary. only for day
when his successor is prepared to qualify.
THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
The correspondence between the President and
General Ager made public by the latter
this afternoon Immediately on receipt OF the
Executives acceptance. TIE notes are snort
but their brevity. as explained by high Oh
fetal, perhaps due to the fact that 'he
weather is too hot TO write long letters sec
retary Alger's note. which apparently ala not
bear the official letterhead Of the War Depart
ment was as follows:
July 10, 1899.
Sir: beg to tender you my resignation OF tne
office of Secretary Of War. to take effect az such
time in the near future as you may declue 'he
affairs OF this Department will permit 49,
In terminating my official connection WIN
your Administration, I wish for you conthueu
health and the highest measure or success Ill
carrying on the great work intrusted to you.
I have the honor to be- very Respectfully, your
obedient servant r. A. ALGblS
The President.
This was delivered at the White House by
Secretary Alger himself yesterday morning.
PRESIDENT M'KINLEYs REPLY.
The Presidents reply. which was handed 10
the Secretary in his office at the War Depart
ment at O'Clock this afternoon by the acting
secretary to the President. Mr.. Cortelyou, was
as follows:
Executive Mansion.
Washington. July 20, 1871.
Hon. R. A Alger Secretary OF war
Dear Sir: Your resignation Of the office OF sec
retary Of War under date Of July ID is accepted
to take effect August /, 1S99 49,,
In thus severlng the official relation whch
has continued for more than two years desire
to thank you for the faithful service you nav
rendered the country at most exacting perloo
and to wish you a long and happy IRE
With assurances Of high regard ana esteem
am yours sincerely WILLIAM MhlNhEi'
CABINET POSSIBILITIES.
Speculation over the succession was rampant
throughout Washington to-day but the opinions
of those who would have most weight were dr-
fcult TO secure One Cabinet officer went so far
as to say that he believed the President mad
scarcely considered the matter yet. This mem
Der Of the official family, however, corrected
himself by saying thpt he was sure no decision
had been reached and he admitted that some
time ago the President had canvassed the field
pretty thoroughly. At any rate. he thought the
announcement Of the new Secretary of War or
any other change in the Cabinet would hardly
be made before the first Of August
The list Of those mentioned" to-day assumed
tremendous Dimensions An afternoon news
paper gathered from various sources the fol-
lowing array: Attorney General Griggs. Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn. General Leonard Wood,
General Francis V. Greene, General James n.
Wilson. Adjutant General Corbin. General Fftz-
hugh Lee. General Harrison Grey Otis, General
Horace Porter Governor Roosevelt, Elihu Root,
Ex-Governor Merriam, Director Of the Census;
Representative Hull Of Iowa; Representative
Grosvenor. Of Oho Senator Sewell, OF New
Jersey: Senator Hawley. OF Connecticut; some
Pacific Coast man, some Western man, some
Southern man. some Platt man. Most Of these
cred and nearly all of them as Cabinet posi-
bilities are manfestly out Of the question. The
favorite idea Of those whose judgment is gem
orally respected contemplates the selection Of
a good Western lawyer to fill the vacancy caused
by the Attorney Generals transfer to the War
Department. in case that should occur. General
James H. Wilson, OF Delaware. now command
ing the Department OF Matanzas and Santa
Clara is favored throughout the Army for the
vacancy.
a HARD TASK FOR THE NEW MAN.
It IS coming to be generally recognized that
It will be difficult TO induce a desirable man to
accept the War portfolio, because the work of
the next Secretary must be mainly confined to
the reform Of the Department. To enter upon
this task the new man must possess sufficient
will power to maintain himself Independent OF
the bureaucracy. The reorganization which has
become almost imperative cannot be attained
without the cordial assistance of Congress.
where the bureaus are strongly intrenched.
He will find his duties all the more trying from
having had General Alger as his predecessor,
and while having Alger's experience to deter
him. he will also enjoy Algers sympathy II
he hopes TO satisfy the country and strengthen
the Administration, he will need extraordinary
force and bravery. for however desrous he may
be of clearing out the vicious system now in
operation he may well hesitate to engage in a
life and death struggle with the staff. 1t is GER
tain that he will have to choose between this
and being a mere fgurehead.
ELIHU ROOTS NAME CONSIDERED.
THE PRESIDENT SAID TO WANT A LAWYER