The times., 1899-01-18
GENERAL POLITICAL
NOTES AND GOSSIP.
The Passing of Russell Alexander

The Passing of Russell Alexander
aiGer.-The present winter has been par
ticularly fatal to great many statesmen.
The mortality in their ranks has been very
severe and at the present rate there Will
be scarcely any of the leaders of today in
evidence when the Presidential battle OF
1900 opens. Grip and pneumonia have
carried off a good many, but "embalmed
beef will apparently have number OF
victims to its credit ere the robins nest
again. Probably the most conspicuous case
furnished by embalmed beef is that of Sec
retary Alger. His early retirement from
the Cabinet is now regarded as foregone
conclusion. Even Algers close friends iast
night were willing to admit the truth OF
this statement. But for Eagan's break
Mr.. Alger would have probably held on for
some time, but in the Judgment OF Impair
tial observers Mr.. Alger should not hold
Eagan responsible for his downfall The
trouble has been with himself and his IN
capacity. Eagan has perhaps been the IN
nocent or intentional instrument of bring
ing matters to focus between the Presi-
dent and his Secretary OF War, but IL
Eagan had kept silent the chances are tnat
Mr.. Alger would not have remained in the
Cabinet for any length OF time. When
material and impedimenta are uncere-
moniously thrown overheard. Mr.. Alger,
unfortunately for himself, belonged to this
class. 1t has been apparent for some time
that the Administration did not intend TO
go into the Presidential campaign next
year handicapped by the presence of Mr..
Aiger in the Cabinet. Mr.. Mckinley S
kindly nature and his personal friendship
for Mr.. Alger prevented him from taking
haS fhnr NJ
believed. in MIR. McKinley's position, would
have taken steps to get rid of Alger long
ago. Down in his heart Mr.. Mckinley
must feel relieved that events have so
shaped themselves to force Mr. Alger out
of the Cabinet without being compelled 10
resort to disagreeable measures himself.
MIR. Mckinley's handling of the Alger-
Eagan case at the final roundup was per-
| fectly characteristic of the man. Mr..
| Alger disavowed and censured Eagan' 5
gross vulgarity and fragrant violation of
army regulations, but he insisted that the
| President should order a court of inquiry
| instead of a court martial. so that Gen
| eral Miles and others could be dragged
| into the case. The President listened to
the arguments, it is said presented by
Mr.. Aiger patiently. but intimated that he
I thought court martial was the proper
| thing. However" he said. we will sub
|
| decide" OF course, Mr.. Alger could not
object to this proposal but he probably
! knew in advance that a majority of the
| Cabinet would side with the President.
An opportunity. il is understood will be
| given Secretary Alger to retire to private
life gracefully if he be so inclined. He
will be permitted to name pressure ol
private business ill health" or any
thing except the real cause, as the reason
fnr rattr Cha braz innt Will
not quibble on that point so long as MI
| Alger takes his departure. "A sinister
ending OF great career" remarked {
! prominent Senator in commenting on tht
Blaine fasco at Minneapolis in 1892.
The snutiing cut of a tallow dip" sale
a Senator last night in speaking OF Ia,
passing of Alger
Mr. Nig"r's Succcss"r.-The unfeelin,
nature of the political world was showl
! last night by the fact that the maiorit
of politicians were specializing on VIII
| would probably succeed Mr.. Alger as Sec
| retary of War. While the drift of tai
seemed to favor the selection of a West
ern man. it was noted that sev
eral candidates will probably
| presented by the East. One q
them, at least, will come from tn
great Empire State of New York, whic
has never been backward in such matter.
When Secretary Bliss gives way to Etha
| Allen Hitchcock. of Missouri on Februar
l, or thereabouts, New York will be with
! out representative in the Cabinet for III
first time in the history Of the Republica
party. New York has always claimed
Cabinet place as matter of right. y
Administration, the people of that Com
monwealth have maintained. could eS
pect to succeed without a New York ma
sitting at tBe Presidents cour
ell table. This may account fc
the fact that the friends
Editor Whitelaw Reid have suggested hil
as an available man for Mr. Alger
shoes. Mr.. Reid has been available" fC
almost anything in sight from the begI
ming of Mr.. McKinleys Administration
But that is another story. It is not VI
Reid's fault that he is not now Secretar
of State. Ambassador TO England,
figuring in some prominent capacity as
member OF the Administration. Circun
stances and Senator Thomas G. Platt hay
been against him. Mr.. Reid's supporter
perceive in the present situation an OF
pOrtpnity to fill u long-felt want and ;
the same time avert the calamity of a
Administration trying TO peg along withol
a representative of New York in the Cal
met. There is apparently more trouble
store for Senator Plat. He will have
go to work 10 Kill of another Reid boon
The New York Senator has become qui
, expert in this sort OF thing but it is sa
that he had hoped to have respite for
few weeks at least.