The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-04-20
Alnar and Whitalaw Reid.

The Washington, ID. O., Times says :;
1.-The Hon. Russell A. Alger is showing
his teeth He has reached the conclusion
that il is about time to strike back at
some of his critics He proposes 1t is
understood. to get square with certain
distinguished Republicans who have
been trying to force him ont OF the
Cabinet in order to avert disaster to the
Republican party.
Mr.. Alger has the reputation of being
vindictive to degree HIS grip upon
the President seems to he unshakable'
and gigantic Republican family quar-
rel appears almost inevitable II II
once gets fairly started there is no tel
ling where it may end in all probablli'
ty il will result in the election OF MI
BRYAN or some other Democrat in 1900
as Mr. McKinley's successor In the
White House.
The situation is one that gives con-
servative Republicans the gravest con-
Germ.
Il have never had any thought OF re-
signing from the Cabinet says Mr.
Alger. UNLESS my health breaks down
| shall serve out the remainder OF Mr.
McKinley's term and | am feeling pref
tv we'll thank you ~
The confident air with which Mr.
Alger made the above announcement
was even more convincing. tie spoke
with the tone Of a man who was per
fectly sure Of his ground and knew that
nothing that could happen could break
his hold on the President In view OF
what Mr.. Mckinley has already put up
with this is not so surprising as might
be imagined.
1t is stated the chief resentment Is
felt toward Editor Whitelaw Reid. o.
New York. Recently number OF
articles have been appearing in Mr.
Reds newspaper, the tribune
sayagely criticising Mr. Alger and the
War Department management. Mr.
Reid is held to be responsible Tor the
publication Of these attacks in his news
psper At any rate he has had suff-
cient time to apologize If the matter
cot into his paper inadvertently, II he
cared 10 do so. Mr. Alger and his
friends hold that Mr. Reid has been
guilty of the blacklist ingratitude that
he has received more favors and honors
of the Republican party than almost
any other Republican in the country
and il is unseemly, to say the least
for him to assail member of Mr.. Nc
Kinlev's Cabinet, and indirectly the
Administration itself Mr. Reid. they
say, need not expect TO obtain any
further favors at Mr.. Mckinley 5 hands
Il must say. said leading Repub'
lican last night, that | sympathlZe
with MI. Reid in the present instance
I have never been one of his warm adj
mirers but he is trying TO render the
Republican party a service by getting
Mr.. Alger out OF the Cabinet, and
cannot help wishing him God speed
What does it matter if Mr. Reid has
personal motive and hopes to get MI
Alger's lob himself? That is neither
here nor there Mr. Reid is evidently
satisfied that he would be an improve
ment on Mr.. Alger and | guess that
ne is about right.
If il is true as now seems likely
that the President intends to uphold
Aleer and necessarily all that he stands
for. am afraid that there Will De very
little show of our electing a Repuoh
can President next year. lam sstonish
ed that such a skillful politician as Mr..
Mckinley has proved himself to De
sbonld make the critical mistake OF
permitting Alger to remain in his Oacl-
net II almost leads one TO believe that
there is something sinister about Alger :
hold upon the President.
is it possible that Mr.. Mckinney
dare not force Mr. Alger to resign IL
wonld seem so but what is the cause
Of the Presid ent's timidity? You can
not keep the public from talking and
they will demand an explanation from
the White House.
Mr.. Mckinley has not been renomi'
mated vet. He should not lose sight oil
that fact. "