The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-08-02
ALGER HAS RESIGNED.
Decided to Retire on the Advice Of
Vice-President Hobart.
HIS RESIGNATION IS ACCEPTED.

The Arrangement For General Alger's Re-
tirement Said to Have Been Made by
tho vice-Presideut-HlsA Alliance With
Pingree Dlstasteful to the Friends OF
tho President, So 1t is Said.
WASHINGTON, D. G. Special. Secretary
Alger has resigned Internationally. Hs
has placed his written resignation in the
hands OF the President. The resignation
was accepted.
There has been much clrcumlocution to
reach this result. The President did not
ask Secretary Alger for his resignation
direct. Secretary Alger had an intlmation
from the President that he would not ask
for 1t. This intimation came while the
Secretary was, as he expressed it, under
fire."
Several days ago the President received
the views OF the other members Of the Cab
met regarding tho situation which had been
created by Secretary Alger's announcement
Of his active candidacy for the Senate. His
so-called alliance with Governor Plngres
was annoying. The heagitatlon occastoned by
this political development made the situa-
ton worse. A strong sentiment was ex.
pressed by the Presidents friends and om-
cial advisers that Alger should wlthdraS.
He took the ground, however, that tha
Secretary might be trusted to reach con-
cluslon for himself. The President be-
lleved that General Alger would either re-
pudiate his Michigan alliance or resign at
once. Secretary Alger's sense OF propriety
was not stirred into any active demonstra-
tion. The pressure became stronger on
tho President to act.
Then Acknowledgement Grlggs was In.
trusted with q mission. Knowing that
good relations existed between Vice-Presi-
dent Hobart and Alger. the Attorney Cen
eral was sent to Vice-President Hobart to
tell him OF the feeling in the Cabinet.
Mr.. Hobart was informed that General
Alger's continuance at the head orthe War
Department was painful embarrassme
The President would not ask for the Secre-
tary's resignation, but II 1t could be OBJ
tanned by Hobart 1t would be relief. The
Vice President acted promptly. He tele-
graphed to the Secretary an invitation to
visit Long Branch on important business. 1t
did not take Alger long to catch the DRIFT OF
the business on which he had been sum-
moned. He considered the hint equal to
direct request from his chief. He told Vice.
President Hobart so, and he announced
that Immediately on bis return to Washing
ton he would place his resignation in the
hands OF Mr.. Mckinley. The Secretary, on
his arrival, called at the White House.
At the interview with the President Sec
retary Alger asked some pointed ques-
tions. He was left in no uncertainty re-
garding the Presidents convictions.
While Secretary Alger Is not talking, 1t
Is understcod that he feels much chagrln
over the manner 10 which he has bsen
ousted. His friends declare that he has
said all along he would resign the instant
the President asked him, Not receiving
such a request, he felt that his fight
against the attacks upon the War Depart
ment was indorsed by the Chief Executive.
The Presidents treatment OF Secretary
Alger had been more than courteous prior
to this time. Even when he offered his
resignation It was friendly In the assur-
ance OF personal regard.
Secretary Alger's departure from the
Cabinet will leave In 1t only three OF those
members who entered 1t at the beginning
Of the Administration, namely, Messrs.
Gage, Long and Wilson. The number OF
changes that have occurred In the two
and half years OF its life has been very
| unusual.
SIX Cabinet officers In all have resigned
| their portfolios, either to retire to private
| LIE or to accept other positions OF honor
and trust at the hands OF the President.
These include Secretaries OF State Sher-
man, who went out because, OF Ill health
and advanced aye, and Day, who accepted
= United States Judg geship; Attorney-Gen-
sral McKenna, who accepted position on
.he Supreme Court benc OF the United
Sta tes; Postmaster General Curry, who re-
!Ir ed because OF Ill health, and Secretary
Bliss, OF the Interior Department, who re-
turned to New York and resumed active
,ounec ion with business affairs.