Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-20

partmcnt he had a long conference
with AdJutant General Corbin, who af-
forwards announced the resignation.
Mr. Ayers plans for the future have
already been defined. Mr.. Meiklejohn,
the assistant secretary Of war, Is at
present supposed to be in Wisconsin.
He is expected to return to Washing
ton "a assume charge Of the war de-
partmcnt until such time as the Presi-
dent shall name a permanent success
sor.
Probably that will be BY the end Of
the present month ana by the first Of
August Secretary Alger Will be at lib
crty to lay down his task. He is much
Wearicd by the weight of responsibility
he has born for nearly two years and
half; ne has aged many years in the
opinion Of his personal friends and is
il Eeed Of rest. lie proposes to depart
for the Northwest ANA spend some time
iii tn lumber camps belonging to him
ana thcn pay visit to his children.
This VIII occupy his time until well
along into next fan.
About political matters the secretary
does not speak now. and it may be
fairly surmised that he then will be
ready. in view Of his already announc-
cd decision To take such part in the
Michigan senatorial contest as condi-
lions at the time will warrant.
The closest inquiry fails to elicit any
Information to the intentions of the
President respecting the appointment
Of successor to Mr.. Alger. Names
are mentioned, but they are only those
which have already been suggested in
the press without securing either con-
1rmation or denial from any well-in-
formed person. The members of the
cabinet We're all disinclined to talk
about The succession. though one did
remark that the President had made
no mention Of name to him, and he
believed that no decision had vet been
reached. He conveyed the impression
that no appointment would be made
Immediately. but that Mr. Meiklejohn
would be allowed to direct affairs FOR
some time to come.
Among those mentioned from time to
time in connection have been Gen.
Horace Porter of New York. now am
bassador to France; GOV. Roosevelt Of
New YORK; Gen. Harrison Gray Otis
ana Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn.
Gen. Corbin has been mentioned in
connection with an interim appoint
ment. The opinion has been expressed
in some well posted quarters that the
selection would be made from the
Nest. All this. however, is mere spec
ulatiOn. AS to the report that Gen.
Corbin would De secretary interim an
officer close to the general said there
was no basis for the report.
The news of the resignation caused
a buzz of comment. this evening. in all
public places. but at the White House
there was no evidence that any I'M
usual event had occurred.
AT about o'clock. Secretary Hay ac-
companied by Senator Fairbanks Of
Indiana. went to the White House for
tall, on the Alaskan boundary question.
Secretary Hitchcock and Comptroller
Dawes called socially. There was no
evidence Of a cabinet conference. There
was nothing to give out for publication,
it was said. An evening round Of the
cabinet officers still in town showed I'M
Willingness to talk Of the resignation.
Adiutant General Corbin, this even
ing, expressed his personal regret at
the turn of affairs. He said: Il feel
great sympathy and great respect for
the secretary. History Will show that
if he has erred. ii has been on the side
Of the soldier, of the side of those who
were fighting the battles. No man in
that position has ever had more at
heart the interests of the soldiers, the
comfort and their welfare. Time ard
again he has said to us that everything
must yield before the requirements Of
the men in the field and if the funds
were lacking he would pay for il him
self He will leave the department with
the respect and esteem of everyone in
it,"
Secretary Ayers departure from the
cabinet will leave in it only three of
those members who entered it at the
beginning of the administration, name
ly: Messrs. Gage. Long and Wilson. The
number Of changes that have occurred
in the two and half years OF its life
has been very unusual. Six cabinet
officers in all have resigned either to
retire to private life or to accept other
position at the hands of the President
The transfer Of Attorney General GrigGs
from the department of justice to the wa-
department has been suggested by those
who are figuring on Sec. Ayers success
scr. tonight. 1t is urged that the execu-
tive officer of the department should BE-
a man of legal attachments and expert
ence. In this same connection the name
of Hon. Elihu Root. the well-known New
York lawyer. is mentioned. Gen. James
ii. Wilson Of Delaware. now in the vol
unteer establishment ana governor Of
the province Of Matanzas, is also
spoken Of.