Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-07-22

TRUSTS INFLUENCED M'KLN-
LEY.
DETROIT, Mich, July Ex-Governor
Pingree to-day handed the Associated
Press a prepared, signed interview, CIV
ing what tine Governor asserts to be
facts which are absolutely reliable.
bearing upon the relations between Gen.
Alger and President Mckinley. with
which the public are not familiar"
At the outset, the Governor says: Il
have no hesitation in saying that the
course pursued by the President. in
this matter, is little less than cowardly.
1t is to say the least, very unmanly."
Gov. Pingree said his information did
not come from Gen. Alger, but from
zone whose knowledge of the facts can
not be disputed
Proceeding, he says that repeatedly
since the eastern newspapers began
their attack upon Secretary Alger, the
Secretary informed tine President that
if these press comments embarrassed
the administration in the slightest de-
gree, he would resign at once, but the
President as often protested emphati-
cally that he had utmost confidence in
Secretary Alger and his conduct of the
war department and that the country
could not afford to lose his services.
The Governor says that at the time
his alleged alliance" with Gen. Alger
was announced. and before his disa-
vowal of interviews criticising the Pres
ident had reached Washington, Gen.
Alger told the President that upon the
Presidents slightest intimation he
would resign, but the President refused
to entertain the idea for a moment.
AS to the alleged alliance" being any
reason for asking for Gen. Ayers res
fore my announcement that l would
support Gen. Alger for the Senate, Sec
rotary of State Hay. on June 2 last
requested Vice President Hobart to in
innate to Gen. Alger that his resigna-
ton would be acceptable to the Presi-
dent, and would relieve him from the
embarrassing attacks of the press upon
the conduct of the war Mr.. Hobart
very properly declined to be party to
such an unmanly, not to say cowardly,
proceeding, and expressed his opinion
IN terms decidedly vigorous.
After this, Gen. Alger, entirely igno-
rant of this miserable conspiracy, sew
eral times offered to end the attacks by
submitting his resignation, but still the
President did not have the courage TO
express himself to his Secretary. Gen.
Alger finally did hand his resignation
to the President to take effect jan
uary g
THE President dared not face the Gen
eral in a manly way and ask him to re-
tire and give his reasons for making the
request He finally accomplished by indi-
rection what he dared no do in an open
and frank manner himself"
Gov Pingree states that Mr. Hobart was
finally prevailed upon by Attorney General
Griggs to convey TO the Secretary that his
resignation was desired, and gave my AL
legged alliance with the Secretary as the
pretext'
Commenting upon the whole matter, the
Governor says that Gen. Ayers sacrifice
was compelled by New York politicians
backed by the ''unscrupulous and heartloss
press He predicts that it will be learned
"that the President himself has been re-
sponsible for whatever mistakes have been
made in conducting the war
He adds: Il am told on the very best
authority that Gen. Alger made very few
appointments of officers during the war
and that the commissions were issued al
most entirely on the orders of the Pres
ident'
The Governor alleges that the more re-
cent attacks upon Alger in the East were
caused by his frank declaration of OPPOSE
ton to trusts, and he adds that there IS
decided odor of trusts around the pres
ent administration, with Mark Hanna as
the acknowledged 'Kingmaker' -
In conclusion the Governor calls upon
Michigan people and newspapers to pro-
test against the injustice done the States
foremost representative in public life 1t
is conjectured here that Brig Gen Henry
NJ. Duffield gave some of the foregoing in
formation. but the General declines to be
interviewed
Chase S. Osborn, State railroad commits
sioner, who is reputed to be Gen. Ayers
representative in preparing for the Sena-
torial campaign. spent several hours last
night at the Governors residence. sup
posedly to assist in the preparing of the
Governors statement
WILL PAY TWICE A MONTH