The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-20
WAS SOMETHTNGOF SURPRISE
AS IT was surmised That he
Would not Relinquish OF.
flee Until Jan. /.
CONFERENCE With HOBART
Is Supposed to Have Induced
Alger to Take Action..PrO.
babie Reasons.

WASHINGTON, July ls.-secretary
Alger to-day rendered to the President
his resignation OF the war portfolio.
The resignation viii become effective
August !. though 1t was rendered "at
the pleasure OF the President"
Gossip has begun already as to his
successor. but is entirely speculative.
for notwithstanding the reports that
Mr.. Alger would not long continue at
the head OF the war department his
actual resignation came suddenly and
unexpectedly. That It would come by
the end of the year was generally be-
lieved, but so little was 1t expected at
this time that some Of the cabinet ofi-
Gers when the news FIRST became public
were inclined to regard the announce
nent as premature, the announcement
that It was actually in hand coming to
them in the nature Of surprise.
Formal acceptance Of the resignation
had not been made by the President up
TO late hour tonight, but win be in
letter written within the next day or
two. No official statement as to the
cause Of the resignation was procur-
able either from the President or from
Secretary Alger. neither OF whom would
talk on the subject. Nor was the letter
Of resignation obtainable at this time.
For tho present nothing will be made
known c.acially concerning the sever
anee Of the official relations between
the President and his war minister, but
later on the official correspondence clos
ing the Iatter's career as chief of the
war department doubtless viii be given
to the press.
Resignation Foreshadowed.
The belief had prevailed in Washing
ton for some time that Secretary Alger
would resign from the cabinet, but the
date generally set for 1t was towards
the close Of the year after he had sub
mltted his annual report. In which he
intended to sum up what had been ac-
complished during his brief but event
full direction of the waT department.
Its tender then had been regarded as
almost foregone conclusion in view of
Mr.. Alger's announcement about
month ago that he hal concluded to en-
ter into competition for the vacancy in
the United States senate TO be caused
by the expiration Of the term of sena-
tor Mcmillan, a strong supporter of the
administration, and that he had enlist
ed In his active support Governor PIN
gree, 70 whom had been attributed free
criticisms Of the policy that was sup
posed to be cherished by the President
towards the FIllplnos. There have been
many explanations and deniRls Of the
facts in that case, but in the end the
Impression was conveyed that the re-
suit Of the Michigan visit Of the secre-
tary had been TO change the relations
between the President and himself to
such a degree as to make a restoration
OF their former status impossible and
to render the connection Of the two as
part of the same official family unde-
Blrable.
Conference with Hobart.
At one time since then there was
Rround for the belief that a rupture
might be avoided, but this belief ceased
TO be held when the news spread that
Vice President Hobart and Secretary
AlEer were in conference at Norman
hurst. II was largely at least as a re-
suit OF this conference that Secretary
Aiger decided to leave the cabinet at
this time. There has been no disclos-
ure Of what passed by the seaside. but
Il is significant that the return OF the
secretary to Washington was followed
by prompt action. He arrived in Wash
inEton last night. too late 70 make any
oficIal calls. Almost before the execu-
tive departments were opened for busi-
ness this morning he called at the
white house and visited the President
in his ofIiee. announced that he had con-
eluded to resign his office. What pass
ed on that point between himself and
the President is only a matter OF sur
mise. for neither have anything TO sny
on this point.
MI MNAhleluult lLlc uEhlHlhHL btNAt-
tary OF war, IS at present supposed to
be in Wisconsin. whittier he went two
weeks ago 10 make a personal inspec-
ton Of the Fox river Improvement. He
has been notified OF what has happened
and Is expected 10 return 10 Washing
ton to assume charge OF the war de-
partment until such time as the Presi-
dent shall name permanent secretary,
Probably that win be by the end Of tho
present month and by the first Of Au-
gust Secretary AiEer will be at liberty
to lay down his task.
Aiger Broken Down.
He 10 much wearied BY the weight Of
responsibility he has borne Tor nearly
two years and half; he has aged
many years In the opinion af his per
son0l friends had is IN nord Of rest Hl
proposes to depart Tor The northwest
ana spcnd some time In the lumber
camps belonging to him and then pay a
visit to his children. This win occupy
bta ffy,s unftt wall along into next fall