The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-07-26
ALGER RESIGNS
WAR PORTFOLIO.
He Could Stand the Presi-
dents Pressure No Longer.

A!eer TODAY rendered to the president
his resignation of the var portfolio
The resignation will become effective
August Let. though it vas rendered cat
the pleasure of the president. J" Cos.
sip has begun already as to bis
successor. bot it is entirely speculative,
for Notwithstanding the reports that
MIR. Alger would not long continue at
the head OF the war department his
actual resignation came suddenly and
unexpectedly So little was it expect
ed at this time that some OF the cabinet
ofieers, when the rews first became
public, we're inclined to regard the
/, announcement as premature. Formal
acceptance of the resignation bad not
been made BY the president up to late
hour tonight, bot will be in letter to
be written within the nexs day or TWO
no official statement as to the cause of
the resignation was procurable either
from the president or from Secretary
Alger. neither of whom would talk on
the subject. Nor was the letter Of re-
signation obtainable a. this time. For
the present nothing will De made known
officially concerning the severance of
the oficial relations between the
president eana bis war minister, but
later on tbs correspondence closing the
iaster's career as chief Of the was
department doubtless will be given to
The press. The belief had prevailed 10
Washington for some time that Seere-
tary Alges would resign from the
cabinet, but the date generally set for
It vas toward the close of the year,
after he had submitted his annual
report, in which he Intended to SUN up
what had been accomplished during bis
brief but eventfal direction of the war
department. Its tender thea had been
regarded as almost foregone conolu-
sion in view of Alger's announcement
about month ago thas he had
concluded to enter into competition for
the vacancy 10 the United States senate
TO succeed Senator McMiliac, strong
supporter of the administration and that
be had enlisted 10 his active support Gov.
Plngree. to whom had been attributed
free criticisms Of the policy that was
supposed to be cherished by the presi-
dent toward the Fllipinos. There have
been many explanations aud denials Of
The facts In the case, but in the end
the impression was conveyed that the
result of the Michigan visit of the sec.
ye.ary had been to change the relations
between the president aud himself to
sach . degree as to make restoration
of their former status impossible and
TO render the connection of the two as
part of the same official family ande-
sirsble. At one time since then tGe'e
VAS ground fos the belief that rupture
might be avoided but this belief ceased
10 be held when the news spread that
Vice President Hobart and Secretary
Algsr were in conference at Norman
hurst. Il was largely at least as
resul. of this conference that Secretary
sAlger decided to leave she cabinet at
this time. At this conference there
were present beside Secretary Alger.
his military aide and close personsl and
political friend and adviser, Maj. Hop
kips, and perhaps some other persons Or
person Who also fels deep interest 10
the future OF the secretary
There has been 20 discies1rs OF what
,nassed By the seaside, but it is signi6
caas sha. the return Of sbs secretary to
Wasbio g,oo vas followed BY prompt
action he arrived 10 Washirg'o
last right too late to make acy ofholal
calls. almost before lbe executive
departments we're opened for business
this morning be calico It TIE White
House, aod visitiog the psesidees ID
his Office, ansocnced Sc. be had con
csnded 60 Fesigo his ofi,e What pass.
ed between himself aud tto president
is .sasser Of sagmise, sor cei'her bsye
snyssicg 10 say OF tha: poiOs Some
roa;ioe oas;aess pe.5aioiOg to toe war
department aas disposed Of between
the presidsos and the secretary and
shen Mr. Alger weot over TO has othse
and spent some time With Gso Wilson.
chief of engineers, AID Maj. Hopklcs,
locking toto The merits Of q controversy
which tad arisen over the cons'rnciiou
of drawbridge over uaViga5le stream
in Michigan Maj Hopkins had just
retarced from a persoual inspection of
the locality aod bad prepared report
90 the subject Several times they
were Interrupted by Adj Gen. corblD,
vho bad SOMA matters OF pressing cur
rent business requiring the personal
action of she secretary, to briog to bis
attention. This attended to, Secretary
Aleer wrote CO.. bis formal letter of
resignation a5d personality carried it
over 10 the White House. His call on