Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-20
Visws of Some Leading Journals on
Alger's Retirement.
MICHIGAN PAPERS DEFEND him
London Press Regards It as Victory
for Pubic Opinion.
MANY SHADES OF EXPRESSION

asSailment so persistent, bitter and mallg-
nant as to amount to downright persecu-
ton. Secretary Alger has placed his resig-
nation in the hands of the President, sub
ject to action at Mr.. McKinley's pleasure.
Considering his administration of the war
Department, indicated by the reports of
the investigating committee and by the APP
prevail of the President, and insisting
strenuously that he would not retire While
under fire. General Alger has finally been
forced by the increasing clamOr of the
newspapers and certain administration Lead
ers at Washington to tender his resignation.
This action of the Secretary of War
ought TO give infinite satisfaction to the ma
lgners who have pursued him with savage
Intensity Without desiring to palliate in
the least the shortcomings, mistakes ana
misjudgments of the Secretary of War, and
without abating one jot or little of our
adherence of his introduction of the spoiis
system in the organization OF the Voiun-
teer army the Free Press deems it no more
than simple justice and accuracy to say
that General Ayers faults of omission ana
commission are not so numerous and gar
ing in comparison with the shortcomings
and failures of other members of the ad-
ministratiOn that he should be made to bear
all the reproaches and odium and disgrace
for official incompetency and faithlessness
in connection with the war
Others Equally Responsible.
plorable developments of the short CAM
paign. it was natural for the people TO
clamor for the visitation of chastisement
upon some one in authority. and for OBJ
vious reasons the Secretary of War became
the target for all the fierce imprecations
and insinuations. But 1t was not falr or
just even if it were natural. The Presl-
dent of the United States and AdJutant
General Corbfn were quite much the di-
recting spirits of the war as General Anger
and everything that the latter did was with
the approval of Mr.. Mckinley. The ap-
pointments recommended by the Secretary
of War upon social or political grounds, re-
quired presidential approval Ihe merit
principle. disregarded by General Alger, mas
likewise been violated by the President III
his latest civil service order. If the con-
siderationS that led to the selection OF Cen
eral Alger for the head of the war Depart
ment were unworthy ana productNe u
mischief. Mr.. Mckinley was every bit as
responsible as the man he honored- He
understood the nature and the capaDllilles
of the appointee he ratified his policies and
his recommendations for commissions De-
fore and throughout the war
A Question for the President.
at IS more of question for Mr.. Mckin-
lev 10 answer than appears on the surface
1T means more with relation to Mr.. Mck1n-
Iey's standing with Michigan republicans
than many administrationists nave seemed
TO appreciate There is a kindly feeling
for the Michigan man among the people of
his city and state, and they Will not con-
template with composure the process OF
crucifixion directed against one OF their
prominent and popular fellow-cttizens be-
cause some one must be called upon to SUI
fer shame. and anguish, and derision, and
persecution for practices, systems, policies
and blunders that President, or Con-
gress, a party is as much responsible Tor
as the scapegoat selected for sacrifice.
The republicans of Michigan may be
moved to ask why President Mckinley does
Z. h and Ey-i
congressman, who have failed to give the
nation sensible system of army organiza-
ton, and who have crowded their favor
ties into commissions, do not take their
share of the censure; and why the party
leaders that are forever seeking to extend
the spoils system do not assume their por
ton of the denunciation that is heaped
upon the Secretary of War.
THE sensational yellow newspaper, the
selfish adninistrationists, and the party
leaders who are very solcitous about
shielding the President from popular out
cries. have succeeded in bounding General
AIger into rendering his resignation. 1t is
in the hands of the President"
The Tribune's Opinion.
Following is the Tribunes editorial on
Secretary Ayers resignation:
'In rendering his resignation, to take eff
feet at the pleasure of the President Cen
eraI Algcr has displayed Il political shrewd-
ness which ii is not customary to expect of
him BY his action he has relieved him
self from the pressure imposed by that fac
ton which has constantly accused him of
embarrassing the administration. He pass
ed the responsibility onto the President
himself. If Mr.. Mckinley accepts the resig-
nation. as II Il mi-off1ciaily announced
that he will. he will create widespread SYM
pathy for the Secretary here in his own
state, which will be of great value to him
in his senatorial candidacy, and will also
give the generals friends pretext for re-
vealing all the facts concerning the Presi-
dents alleged personal responsibility for
z-g.ff -.lrr-
tary was cursed during the Spanish-Ameri-
can war.
"On the other hand, If the President had
taken the other course and declined to ac-
cept the resignation, he would have admin
istered 4 singing rebuke to those of his
supporters who have continually demanded
Ayers retirement and practically closed the
mouths of the iatter's chief critics, thus Civ
ing Gen. Alger vindication all the more
foFceful by reason Of the extraordinary
virulence of the assaults which have been
made upon him, At the same time the gen
eral would have apparently placed the adj
ministration under renewed obligations by
his graceful offer to step aside at a time
when certain elements loud in their profess
tatioDs Of devotion TO the President referred
to him as a milestone around the latter's
neck. Ii is difficult 10 see how the general
can lose anything by his move, whether his
offer Is accepted OF rejected.
Failure to Request It,
1T IL not certain, however that the resig-
j
will furnish relief from any embarrassment
which the administration may have felt
through his continuance in the cabinet As
matter OF fact, the President has had th.
matter in his own hands throughout All
he had TO do was 10 indicate desire for
Ayers retirement. and the thing was ac-
complished- His failure TO DO so indicates
that he lacked either the desire or the corr-
age TO express it. His position Is hardly
bettered by the present situation. Gen. AL
ger. in effect. placed himself in the hands
of the President. He has said to his enc
niles: To show you how false and mali
cious your charges have BEEN to prove that
the President still retains confidence in nv
fidelity and ability. I will leave it to him to
say whether / shall go stay
That is all he has done. An absolute
resignation, naming a date and giving
plausible reasons. would, indeed, have re-
heyed the President of any responsibility
and would doubtless have been welcomed
by him. As 1t is, he is relieved of nothing
while the Secretary has silenced the voice
of the New for& Sun and other papers and
persons who have been charging him with
clinging 10 his position after having be-