Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-03


WAR, BUT SAYS THE ATTACK
ON THE WAR DEPARTMENT
HAS A PURPOSE.
DETROIT, Mich, July 2-Governor
Pingree tonight despatched a letter TO
Secretary Alger, brought u by criti-
cisms of the Secretary and the numer-
Gus comments recently published con-
corning the agreement made by the
Governor to support Secretary Alger in
his campaign for the United States
Senatorship. The letter is as follows:
My Dear General:
Il subscribe to a clipping bureau and
I have, within the past few days been
receiving large numbers of clippings
from newspapers published in every
part of the country, containing what
purports to be an interview with me
in which criticisms of the present adj
ministration are put in my mouth. !
am astonished at the circulation and
credence which this alleged interview
has received. I would not take cog
niZance of it were it not for the fact
that it seems to have been so widely
circulated, and also for the reason that
there are many people who have yet
to learn that what is termed political
news and opinion are as unreliable,
inaccurate and prejudiced as the news
paper mans ingenuity and cunning can
make them.
1T did not seem to me necessary to
deny the interview. / would not give
it my thought whatever were it not for
the fact that it made the basis of a
petty and NEAR spirited attack upon
you, which is but a natural product OF
small calibre intellects.
THE interview to which l have re-
ferred is a pure fabrication. There is
not a single sentence in it which was
spoken by me. 1t is the invention of
a reporter who may or may not have
been acting upon instructions from
his chief.
Il have at different times expressed
my opinion of the necessity for the
war in the Philippines, / have, in
common with thousands of others in
the country, disapproved of it and have
had no hesitation in giving my views
whenever | have been asked for them,
l voted for Mckinley and | have had
no cause whatever TO regret it. If he
is a candidate again | will take pleasure
in giving him my support.
Il am well satisfied that the attack
upon the War Department is nothing
but a cunningly conceived plot to Gre
ate a vacancy to be filled by a New
York politician. Already the New York
newspapers are discussing the distri-
button of the patronage of the depart
ment. The other papers in the country
have simply repeated what the New
York newspapers have said. In so far
as the alleged alliance with you is
concerned, | can freely and frankly say
that none has been made. AS you are
already aware, | simply proffered you
my support in your candidacy for
United States senator, and only want
ed to know whether you were in favor
of an amendment to the constitution
of the United States permitting the
election of United States senators by a
direct vote OF the people. l was glad
to be advised by you that you favored
the restriction of trusts but neither Of
these things was made the condition
of my support. In common with thou
sands of other Michigan people, l mere
ly offered to assist you.
IF anything l have profted by il
politically, because the American peo,
pie detest cowardly methods of fight
ing.
The language which is attributed
to me in the false interview in which
am made TO criticise and abuse the adj
ministration should have condemned
the interview as a fabrication at once
But even 0 absurd is the statement
made by the press that | am an ayow.
ed candidate for the Republican nom
nation for President al the next ma.
tional convention; that you have
made an alliance with them, and tina
therefore you have practically de.
clared your opposition TO President Nc.
Kinley and should retire from his cab
met. OF course such a statement /:
too silly to be entitled t serious atten.
ton 1t is sufficient to say to you tina
/ have not and never did entertain thu
remotest intention OF becoming a can.
diaate for the Presidency. The story
is only another invention of Michigan
newspapers.
"Regretting If the u~nwarrantable lib.
critics taken with my name have
caused you any embarrassment. / am
yours very sincerely.
~HAZEN s. PINGREE."
The Weather.