The evening times., 1899-07-11
L. the Latest Rumor True.

II tbe ltuBnoF
At last there seems some probability of
fact in the oft-repeated story that Mr. Nc
Kinley has screwed his courage up 10 the
sticking point of inviting Alger to leave
the Cabinet. In support of this supposition
these circumstances are arrayed:
All army appointments are made by the
President after conference with the Ad-
jutant General OF the Army.
OF the army appointments thus far made
in connection with the provisional army
Secretary Alger's recommendation has pre-
vailed in only one instance
Views of other members of the Cabinet
concerning the conduct of the war in the
Philippines are usually accepted by the
President in preference 10 those OF Secre-
tary Alger.
The Adjutant General of the Army is the
chief adviser OF the President in regard
TO ali matters connected with the Philip
pine war and with military matters gen
orally
Such circumstances are regarded as
proof that the President is now trying to
freeze his War Secretary out of office by
s
pride of the ordinary man. But Alger is
such an extraordinary man that it is by no
means certain tnat his pride is Of the quail
ity WniCn Tevolts at studied sights and
deliberate humiliation. de has known for
months tLat MS presence was unwelcome
TO most OF the members of the Presidents
official household. particularly to Secretary
Gage and Postmaster General Smith, but
his bearing or conduct has not been no.
ticeably affected by what 10 men of refined
feeling would be crushing embarrassment.
Members representing close States in the
Republican National Committees are
known TO have practically memorialized
Alger months ago 10 get out OF the Cabl-
net, but this appears TO have had no in
fluence on the relations between him ane
Mr. Mckinley. We must infer, therefore,
that the IiLgree incident is what caused
d sudden and radical change in the Presi-
dental mind concerning Alger. If this is
true. il is, Of course, as discreditable TO
Mr.. Mckinley as ii is TO Alger The es-
sential basis OF the agreement between
Pingree and Alger is economic and not
the Secretary's record in the War Office.
Among multitudinous mass of wild and
harebrained theories that made the wheels
go round in Pingree's brain there are some
that are practical and meritorious This is
particularly true of his contention for a
greed Of many trusts.
So far as we are able TO judge the real
character of the man by his record, we are
unable TO say whether or not Pingree is
sincere in this Observation-Disclosures if he
had the power and opportunity, he would
hedge about with an effective system of
restrictions the evil Vaccinations of trusts.
We are certain that Alger is not sincere,
because he is an illustrious example of the
beneficiaries of industrial combinations
which stifie competition and Cypress labor.
However, since il is his alliance with Pin
gree on this basis, and apparently only
that, which has caused the ire of Mr. Nc
Kinley, We do not see how it is possible
for the President, his Administration, or
his party to reap the desired benefit which
the reputation of Alger and Algerism is
expected by him TO create. Had the Presi-
dent dispensed with Algers services
months ago. when the War Department
was reeking with fresh odors OF filth and
corruption, and our soldiers in the field
were suffering from incompetence or
scoundrelism In the War Ogice, he would
have accomplished vast amount of good
for the nation, himself, and his party.
While his retirement from Office at this
juncture will relieve the machinery of the
War Office of a dead weight and infuse
new energy and intelligence into the Phil
ippine campaign, it cannot undo the wick
edness which Algerism has put into our
colonial administration. II will now re-
quire a veritable Hercules to clean the
Augean stables. Possibly Governor Roose-
welt with his youthful enthusiasm and
gaulting ambition, could do ii. Or, maybe,
Ambassador Choate would be willing to
make sacrifice of temperamental taste
by surrendering his commission to the
Court Of ST. James, and for the salvation
OF his friend, the President, undertake to
purge the War Department of Algerism
But these are not the only men who could
accomplish the work, though Mr.. McKin-
ley seems to have none others in contem-
plation al present
What doubtless concerns the President
most is the removal OF Alger, though we
regret to observe that he manifested no
serious concern on this point until Alger
made profession, however hypocritfcal it
may he, of opposition to the undue and