The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-21
.ALGER LIKE A SUNBURS7
FEELS AN IMMENSE WEIGHT
LIFTED FROM HIS SHOULDERS.
WILL BEAR HIS OWN BURDENS ONLY NOW
His Letter Of Resignation. Still Dumb. Names
Of Horace Porter and Secretary Meik-
eliohn Mentioned in Connection
With War Portfolio


will reinquish the war portfolio before
August 1st.s He called upon President
Mckinley ut the White House this morn
ing shortly before noon and was with
him for IA few minutes. When he left he
appeared to be in excellent spirits. His
face was wrcathed with smiles as he ex-
pressed to several newspaper men who
gathered about him his appreciation OF
their good wishes.
You feel relieved of a great burden!
one of them suggested.
Yes, L do replied the Secretary.
thereafter | will only have my own
burden to carry"
The Secretary said that he would he
Enquish his portfolio as soon as the
pending routine matters of the depart
ment were cleared up and Assistant Sec
retary Meikeljohn TO whom the War
Office is to be turned over pending the
appointment Of General Alger's success
or, lis ready to assume charge. Mr..
Mcikeljohn wired this morning that he
would be back on Saturday.
IL shall retire before August 1st.'
said the Secretary General Alger said
he would 90 back to Alichigan and 70;
to his health. The, Secretary said he
knew nothing about his successor. Ask
ed rs to whether he would press his
Senatorial candidacy, the Secretary re-
Piled:
Il cannot tell now.
The following is Secretary Alger's let
reply to It.
''July 10. 1899.
Sir: / beg to tender to YOU my re-
signation of the office of Secretary of
War to take effect at such time in the
future as you may decide the affairs of
this Department will permit.
I'm terminating my official connection
with your Administration / wish for
your continuous health and the highest
measure of success in carrying out the
great work entrusted to YOU.
Il have the honor to be, very respect
fully,
Your obedicnt servant,
'R. A. ALGER.
ITO the President
The President replied:
Executive Mansion. Washington, July
Goth, 1899.
Hon. II. \. Mger. Secretary of War.
Dear Sir: You resignation of the Of
fee OF Secretary War under date of
July 10Th is accepted to take effect the
first of August. 1899
I'm thus severing the official relation
which has continued for more than two
years. desire to thank you for the
faithful service You have rendered the
country at Il most exacting period and to
wish you a long and happy life.
With assurances of high regard and
esteem.
Il am, yours sincerely.
'WM. M'KINLEY"
Secretary Alger maintained the same
reticence today that he adopted yester-
day after the resignation had been pre-
sented. He would make no statement.
and every inquiry was met With the de-
claration that this same silence would
he preserved SO long as he was member
Of the Cabinet.
The most absorbing and generally dis.
cussed topic here today was the choice
of successor to Secretary Alger. Many
names We're mentioned in the speculation,
hut it can be stated with authority that
us yet the President has made no selec-
ton. Both Secretary Long and Post
master General Smith who were with the
President for a short time expressed the
belief that no member of the Cabinet
would care to be shifted to the War De
partment Among the names most prom
inently mentioned was that of General
Horace Porter. Ambassador to France
Senator Thurston, of Nebraska, called
ut the White House during the day and
urged the promotion of Assistant Sec
retary Meikeljohn, Nearly every general
who figured in the recent war has been
mentioned as Il possibility. Gen
eral James III. Wilson being about the
most prominent i'm that class.
A strong belief expressed in certain cir
cles is that the successor of Mr. Alger
will come from New York. In this
connection the name of Mr.. Elihu Root
has been suggested. A high Admins
tration official said today that the next
Secretary of War Will mot only be a
New Yorker, but lawyer as we'll The
for this statement was in con
with the President today. and
he stated that while ii may be said that
as yet the selection has not been finally
passed upon. New York. now without
has the strongest claim
for recognition. The belief gained ground
This afternoon that Mr.. Root will be ten.
lered the portfolio