The evening times., 1899-03-28
AIger MilI Go.

The revival of the rumor of Secretary
Ayers retirement is based on several con-
] siderations and appears to be we'll ground
| ed. IL is noted that both Eagan and Algel
found il eXpedient to leave the country be-
fore the return of the Court of Enquiry
! from Chicago. where evidence of the rela-
tions of the higher officials of the War De-
partment with the purchase of canned beef
! was collected. 1t is noted, too, that if Sec
! retary Alger proposed to retire or felt he
! could no longer resist the pressure. he
would take advantage of his last days of
authority to look over the field of Cuban
/ investment, where there are great oppor-
4 tunities TO capital, especially when backed
by influence.
Another reason for accepting the rumor
is that the Thomasville gathering of the
Mckinley syndicate would naturally exam
inc all the weak places in the Mckinley
Administration and determine what steps
should be taken TO strengthen them. What
ever may be the Presidents reasons for his
long federation of the official who is the
chief source of the worst scandals of his
term, it is obvious that the practical poll
s AANidAS ~ lAO nav = dSSuDlGu CUuLTOl Ol HIS III
! terests in the coming campaign must con-
! clude that il would be wanton folly to con-
tinue the burden of Alger and Algerism.
! Aside from that, there is little in the rec
! ord of the Administration to counteract
/ the effects OF war well fought and the
/ fruits of victories we'll preserved. There
I is no possible argument that could induce
ha tO RI
! tion of Alger. 1t would be a rash def
/ ance OF the popular sentiment that could
do only harm.
That Secretary AIger is not disposed TO
resign is evident enough. He is without
! any sacrificial tendency and is deaf to all
arguments relating 10 the loyalty Cabi-
net officer is supposed to owe to his chief.
! Il has been known to everybody that Sec
retary Alger could have removed a serious
! bar 10 the highest popularity of the Presi-
! dent by his resignation, but he has taken
! account only of his personal interests He
would rather enjoy The honors and opp0r-
! tunities of his office 10 the end of his term
than 10 insure the denomination and even
the reelection of President Mckinley. lie
has watered his little Presidential plant for
hopeless years and seemed TO feel that he
was fairly on the way to the goal when his
/ C. \. r. influence and his enormous cam
Daign contribution secured his selection foE
a Cabinet office. To voluntarily resign
position in which he has exercised degree
Of power beyond all his previous experience
is more than he could force himself 10 do.
Now. however. comes the pressure of
those who have taken full charge of the
Presidents political interests Mr. Nc
kinney has been wise enough in the past
TO give power of attorney to his cam
paign managers and it is hardly likely that
he will interfere with their schemes TO get
rid of the chief obstacle in the way of his
triumphant denomination. That there will
be no let up on the pressure until AIger
succumbs there is every reason to believe.
There are many things that indicate Sec
retary Alger's understanding of the sit
uation and his fear that he must go.