The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-07-21

come. Among the names which have
been mentioned from time to time
when talk of Secretary Alger's forth
coming resignation has been rife were
those of General Horace Porter OF New
York, now am bassador to France, Gov
ernor Roosevelt of New York, General
Harrison Gray Otis and Assistant Sec
retary Meiklejohn. The name of Cen
eral Corbin had been mentioned in con-
nection with an ad interim appoint
ment, pending the selection of a per-
manent occupant of the office. This
gossip also included questions of To-
callty, and the opinion was expressed
in some well posted quarters that the
selection would he made from the west.
AS to the report that General Corbin
would be secretary ad interim, an officer
close to the general said there was no
basis for the report; that the president
had never contemplated naming Gen.
eral Corbin ad interim, and that If such
an appointment were rendered it would
not be accepted. There was some talk
also that General Corbin might be given
the portfolio permanently, although this
was regarded as improbable, even among
General Corbin's friends. There would
be precedent for such course, however,
as in the case of General Schofield's 8
cabinet service.
The president went for a drive with
his niece, Miss Duncan, late in the
afternoon handling the reins himself.
In the evening Secretary Hay, accom-
panied by Senator Fairbanks of Indiana,
back from an inspection of the Alaskan
boundary seat OIL difficulty, came over
for a talk Secretary Hitchcock and
Comptroller Dawes called socially for a
few minutes. There was no evidence
of cabinet conference, and no sugges.
tion of anything in that line. There
was nothing to give out for publication,
it was said.
Some of the cabinet officers, when
again seen, said that they had felt that
the resignation was likely to come at
any time, but that they were so sur
prised at the published announcement
that it was actually in hand that they
were at first inclined to regard it as
premature.
Adjutant General Corbin, while not
wishing to discuss any OF the facts con-
nected with the resignation, expressed
his personal regret at the turn of affairs.
He said:
Il feel great sympathy and great re-
spect for the secretary. History will
show that if he has erred it has been on
the side of the soldier, on the side of those
who were fighting the battles. No man
in that position has ever had more at
heart the interests of the soldiers, their
comfort and their welfare. Time and
again he has said to us that everything
must yield before the requirements of
the men in the field, and if the funds
were lacking he would pay for it him.
self. He will leave the department
with the respect and esteem of every
one IN it,
The transfer of Attorney General
Griggs from the department of justice
to the war department was suggested
by those who were figuring on Secre-
tary Alger's successor. 1t was urged
that the largely increased legal ques-
tions which was constantly coming be-
fore the war department. as a conse-
quence Of our new possessions make it
desirable that It's executive officer
should be man of legal attainments
and experience. In this connection the
name Of Hon. Elhu Root, the we'll
known New York lawyer, was men-
toned. General James II. Wilson of
Delaware, now in the volunteer estab-
lishment and governor of the province
of MatanZas, Cuba, was also spoken Of
General Wilson was well known sol
dier in the civil war, and since had
been prominently identified with bust
ness enGerprises.