The record-union., 1899-07-21
Says Ne VIII Feel Relieved Of the Burden
as Head Of the War Department.
Wishes to Relinquish the Portfolio
az Soon as the Routine Duties of
the Department Are Cleared UP
Assistant Secretary Meikle-
John Wired to Return to Wash
ington and Assume the Duties
Until a New Secretary is APP
pointed.


Alger will relinquish the War portfolio
before August 1st. He called upon
President Mckinley at the White House
this morning shortly before noon and
was with him a few minutes When
he left he appeared to be in excellent
spirits. His face was Wreathed with
smiles as he expressed to several news
paper men who gathered about him his
appreciation of their good wishes.
You feel relieved of a great burden?'
one of them suggested.
Yes, l do,' replied the Secretary.
Hereafter 1 will only have my own
burden to carry.
The Secretary said that he would re-
linquish his portfolio as soon as the
pending routine matters of the depart
ment were cleared up and Assistant
Secretary Meiklejohn, to whom the War
Office is to be turned over pending the
appointment of General Alger's success
sor, is ready to assume charge. Assist
ant Secretary Meiklejohn wired this
morning that he would be back on Sat
urday
II shall retire before August" said
the Secretary. General Alger said he
would go back to Michigan and for the
present at least devote his time to his
health He said he knew nothing about
his successor. Asked as to whether he
would press his Senatorial candidacy,
the Secretary replied, Il cannot tell
now"
Postmaster General Smith saw the
President to-day AS he left the White
House he gave an emphatic denial to
the suggestion of his possible transfer
to the War Office.
Il have troubles enough of my own, "
he said, smiling.
Secretary Alger was an hour late in
reaching his office this morning. He
spent that hour in going over his pri-
vate correspondence at his residence.
There were more than the usual num-
Der of kilograms Every member of
the Secretary's family outside of Wash
ingtop wired approval of his action of
yesterday, and although the Secretary
himself did not exhibit any of the 9TH
ers, there is reason to believe they in
cluded messages from some persons
very prominent in political life.
When Secretary Alger arrived at his
ference with Adjhtant General Cofbin
and Major Hopkins. Senator Fairbanks
also called. He was taken into the pri-
vate office and half an hour was spent
in conference.
WASHINGTON, July 20.-Secretary
Alger has received from the President
a letter accepting his resignation, to
take effect August 1st. The letter was
brought to the department by Mr.. Cor
telyou, acting private secretary to the
President The Secretary did not make
its terms public but read it to few
intimate friends.
THE SECRETARY'S LETTER.
WASHINGTON, July 20.-The follow
ing is Secretary Ayers letter of reSig-
nation and the Presidents reply to it:
July 49, 1899.
"Sir: / beg to tender you my resigna-
ton of the office of Secretary of War,
to take effect at such time in the near
future as you may decide the affairs OF
this department will permit.
I'm terminating my official connection
with your administration, / wish for
your continued health and the highest
measure of success in carrying out the
great work entrusted to you.
Il have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant,
'.R- A. ALGER.
ITO the President.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
"EXECUTIVE MANSION,
July 20, 1899.
"Hon. r. A. Alger, Secretary of War
Your resignation of the office of Secre-
W. 1o,- xIofe Of T,1lx
accepted to take effect the 1st of Aug
ust, 1899.
In thus severing the official relation
which has continued for more than two
wears. / desire to thank you for the
faithful service you have rendered the
country at a most exacting period anc
to wish you a long and happy life
With assurances of high regard and es
TEEN, I am, your sincerely,
..WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
SPECULATION AS TO THE sue.
CESSOR.
WASHINGTON, July 20.-The mos'
absorbing and generally discussed topic
bara to-day was the choice of a sue
cessor to Secretary Alger. Many names
were mentioned in the speculation, but
# can be stated with authority that a:
vet the President has made no selec
tion.. Both Secretary Long and Post
master General Smith. who We're witt
the President for a short time, express
ed the belief that no member OF tn'
Cabinet would care to be shifted to tn'
War Department.
Among the many names most prom
inently mentioned was that of Genera
Horace Porter. ambassador to France
Senator Thurston of Nebraska calico
at the White House during the day ant
urged the promotion of Assistant Sec
retary Meiklejohn. Nearly every Gen
eral who figured in the recent war ha'
been mentioned as a possibility, that O
General James H. Wilson being abou
the most prominent in this class.
A strong belief. expressed in certain
circles, is that the successor of Mr.. AL
ger will come from New York. In this
connection the name of Elihu Root has
been suggested.
A high Administration official sait
J to-day that the next Secretary of Wa
will not only be New Yorker, but