The times., 1899-06-27
Alcerinn Reflections.

1t viii be observed that, so lar, senator
Mcmillan has had very little to say in re-
gard to the new political situation in his
adopted State, produced by the sensational
Alger- Pingree beef and potato alliance.
Nearly all of the talking is being done By
his '-matchless'' rival. We do not, how
ever. infer from this that Mr.. Mcmillan
is entirely without views on the subject,
or that he will not be found to possess
ability to express them, in some way sat
isfaetory to himself and his friends, at
the appropriate time. But, as he is not
garrulous person, it may be that he will
not indulge much in newspaper interviews,
nor waste his breath in useless rhetoric.
Judging from his past. it is much more
probable that he will act rather than
crate, and in this there may be a danger
which Mr.. Alger should by no means ig
more.
A gentleman of Mr. McMillan's wealth,
influence, and experience would not be
without means and agents to seek out and
prod the weak places in the Algerian ar
NOR and it is possible that the War Sec
retary may become first advised of the
arduous nature of his self-imposed task
by sensation of pain, followed by morti
ication. in some sore spot.
The material or construction of a par
ticular platform will not always help its
beneficiary to safety. We have known of
people who stood upon platforms Illus
trating the highest conceptions of the car
penter's art. who nevertheless, almost i'm
mediately fell through them and broke
their neeks. or were asphyxiated. Politi-
caIIy speaking. We think the one occupied
antitrust plank may be regarded with
contentment by the audience and the coro-
ner's jury, because of its decay and GER
tainty to break under a much lighter
weight; but the widest flight of imagina-
ton would not lead anybody to think it
sound. Alger, as the enemy of trusts, is
about as reasonable a possibility as would
be Alger in the role of an enemy of Eagan
and the carrion contractors,
We doubt if there be any better standing
room on his other plank When an indi-
viduaI who could not entertain the re-
motest hope of office at the hands of any
community OF American voters, small or
great, has the assurance to come out as
the champion of popular senatorial elee-
tions. he simply exposes himself to the con-
tempmoHs merriment of the press and
people; and that sort of thing does rot
usually conduce to political success.
We are glad, however, that Mr.. Alger is,
proyidentially. obtuse enough not to realize
| these things; delighted that he should de-
! termine to stick to his place in the Cabinet,
and thus afford his long suffering chief
another opportunity TO appreciate the bur
den of such presence. If he were Low
TO retire the developments which neces-
sariIy will be incidental TO his struggle for
the Michigan Senatorship, in all probability
would not be visible for months to come
As it is, the prospect is most promising
for the investigation and ventilation of GER
tain matters. some of record and others
not yet enshrined in history, but all relating
to things which the American people are
eager to have exploited, analyzed, and ulti-
mateIy disinfected, if that be within the
power of science-and of justice.