The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1899-08-19
WASHINGTON LETTER.
YELLOW FEVER REPORTS GROSSLY
EXAGGERATED.
"There is Only One Alger" Ex-
presses a Gratifying Fact.

The reports of the daily press
throughout the country as to the
epidemic of yellow fever at the
National Soldiers Home at
Hampton, Va, have proven to
be grossly exaggerated. OWING
to the prompt and energetic
measures taken by the authori-
ties the disease appears to be full
ly under control, and an epidemic
character really at no time pre-
vailed. Official report to Surgeon
General Wyman reported no new
cases, and # the favorable tenn.
perature prevails, the now pend
ing cases are expected to run a.
satisfactory course. So far there
have been fortytwo cases, eleven
of them resulting in death. The
situation at the Home and i'm
mediate vicinity is considered
satisfactory. The exaggerated
reports cast so recklessly abroad
are much to be regretted.
1t appears probable from de-
velopments during the past few
days in the war department that
Secretary Root has in contem-
plation an army of quite 40 600
men for the Philippines. While
Mr.. Root has been at the head of
the department only a brief time,
the trend Of his efforts. has been,
it is alleged, wholly in the direc-
ton of an increase in the availa-
BILE forces in the east. The be-
lief is growing in army circles
that Secretary Root has in mind
plan practically matured to
make Gen. Otis available force
at least 10000 men. The num-
Der of enlistments in the new
volunteer army have now reach
ed total Of 9,063. Secretary
Root has made a favorable inn
ptession III official circles here.
What especially impressed the
officers who welcomed their new
chief, was the business like man
ner in which he went about things.
1t was noticed. however, that
the new secretary has no present
intention of 'downing Corbin"
as some persons have urged him
TO do. At the same time it APP
pears that Gen. Miles is to receive
every consideration. There can
be, however, no change in the
department personnel. The heads
of the bureaus cannot be dis
turbed by any secretary, unless
by assent of the president and
congress. The incompetent must
continue to block progress until
old age removes them to the re-
tired list. 1t is the system that
needs revising and Secretary
Root understands the situation.
''There is only one Alger"
was displayed on two immense
banners at the reception given to
ex-Secretary Alger upon his re-
turn to Detroit. This inscrip-
ton stated the situation in a nut
shell. IL there had been more in
the past eighteen months, it is
painful to imagine what would
have become of the country. One
Alger demoralized the army +,
several of them would have skak-
en- the foundations of the govern
ment and reduced the country to
a chaos. The people outside OF
Detroit regard the existence OF
'sonly one Alger'' as a merciful
dispensation of providence. This
republic has to carry many bur-
dens, heavily weighed as it is,
it has still managed to keep above
water. With the tribe of official
Algers increased, however, its
burden would become greater
than it could sustain. There is
national rejoicing over the fact,
that there is 'sonly one Alger. -
Now that he has retired to private
life, let US hope his species will
become extinct as a factor o.
American government. The re.
ception accorded to Gen. Alger
in Detroit was also remarkable
for the utterances of Gov. Pin.
gree. The governor has beer
acting as mouth piece of Gen,
Alger and saying what the lattel
thinks but refrains from uttering
Through Pingree : 3 receptive ans
agile mouth he can anatheniz,
Mr.. Mckinley and hold him q
in contempt. Gen. Alger vii
find Gov. Pingree = valuable
medium for expressing his viewl
OF the Who have relssated hin
70 tht dullnSss Of > provincial ex