Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-07-22
SATURDAY EVENING JULY %. 1899

THE PRESIDENT has made Alger re-
sign but gives him certificate OF char
ter, applauding his services in the War
Department. If this means anything
it is that the system and the abuses
Alger typifed are to stand and perhaps
to be enlarged and developed. Does
the removal OF Alger cure the evil
To answer this question we must pro-
pound others. How did Alger ever
come to be appointed Secretary OF WaI?
Was it to pay him for MS contributions
in the cam paign. OF 1896 and his fur
nishirg a hippodrom- composed OF
Howard, Sickles & 90 to laud McKiu-
lev and paying all the expense himself?
Or was it his great merit? Who snelved
Miles and Merritt and put up Skater,
mentally, morally, and physically dis
qualified by mountain OF fa', TO ne the
General of the Cuban expedition ? Wss
it Alger, or Mckinley, or Hanna VINO
contrved this piece of strategy VITO
was responsible for the mismanagement
at Tampa in sending of the expedition;
for the blockade OF cars at Tampa, the
failure 10 send the lighters needed 10
land the troops, artillery. food and hes
pital supplies? Was it Alger, Shatter,
or somebody behind both? Why did
all these fatal blupders occur? Who
fastened on the public service large
number of inexperienced and incompe-
tent officers, the sons and relatives OF
Senators, members OF the House, rich
mems sons, add editors, all OF whom had
"pullsn on the administration The
understanding at Washington was and
is that Secretary Alger had little or
nothing to do with these bad appoint
msnts, evidently made to purchase poll"
ticans and political support. 1t ives
stated that this whole business was
managed by the President and Adjn-
taut General CorbiD, and this has never
been denied. This does not, OF course,
excuse General Alger; for he ought 10
have protested against loading up the
service with inefficient officers. But
again, who was responsible for the TO-
efficiency and neglect of the medical
department and the transportation ser
vice? Did Alger employ set Of dis
honest men and worthless ships or did
some other influence fasten them On
the government? The browning in-
iquity of all, the poisoning Of the army
by enbalmed beef, and the beef cot
tractors. this frightfui slaughter OF
American soldiers who is to blame for
it-.Alger or Hanna? Did Alger want
these beef contractors to make money
at the cost Of the health of the soldiers,
or did Mr.. Hanna, chairman OF the re-
publican national committee in 1896,
dictate these beef contracts and sa!
that these contractors must be repaid
for the large contributions they made
to the republican campaign fund E? We
do not say that Alger was innocent,
but we suspect that other men were far
more guilty. How about the two
withdrawing Investigations? Who
got them up, Alger, Corbin, Mckinley
or somebody else? So much for the
past. The story is not fully told, and q
bought Congress will not investigate
it. As for the present costly and need
less war in the Philippines, it is safe 10
say that ex Secretary Day, the Presi
dent and Mark Hanna did more to
bring it about than the figure head Sec
rotary of War from Michigan, who has
been made the scapegost for a multi
tude of sins and uneIampled crimes
against humanity aud the honor of the |
American name. II Alger will only
tell half he knows about it all, the pee
pie will have much to think over.