The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-07-25
what ringree Save About MeKin!ey.

Gov. Pingree Of Michigan, has pre-
pared and signed statement giving
what the Governor asserts to be "facts
which are absolutely reliable, bearing
upon the relations between Gen. Alger
and President Mckinley, with which
the public are not familiar. "
The Governor says II have no hest
tation in saying that the course pur
sued by the President in this matter is
little less than cowardly. II is, to say
the least, very unmanly.
Gov. Pingree says his information
did not come from Gen. Alger, but from
zone whose knowledge If the facts
cannot be disputed "
Proceeding, he says that repeatedly
since the eastern newspapers began
their attack upon Secretary Alger, the
Secretary informed the President that
if these press comments embarrassed the
administration in the slightest degree.
he would resign at once. but the
President as often protested emphati-
cally that he had the utmost confidence
in Secretary Alger and his conduct Of
the War Department and that the
country could not afford to lose his ser.
vices
The Governor says that at the time his
alleged alliance" with Gen Alger was
announced aud before his disavowal
Of interviews crticising the President
reached Washington Gen. Alger told
the President that upon the slightest
intimation he would resign, bit the
President refused 10 entertain the idea
for q moment
CONCERNING THE ALLEGED ALLIANCE
As to 10 the alleged alliance be-
ing any reason for asking for Gen. Al.
gers resignation, Gov. Plngree says
Long before my announcement that |
would support Gen. Alger for the SEN
ate Secretary Of State Hay, on June ,
last requested Vice President Hobart
TO intimate to Gen. Alger that his res
ignati0n would be acceptable to the
President, and would relieve him from
the embarrassing attacks Of the press
upon the conduct Of the war Mr. Ho-
bart very properly declined to be a
party to such an unmanly, not to say
cowardly, proceeding, and expressed
his opinion in terms decidedly vigor-
ouss
"After that Gen Alger entirely IL
norant Of this miserable conspiracy,
several times offered TO end the attacks
by submitting his resignation, but still
the President did not have the courage
to express himself TO his Secretary,
General Alger finally did hand his reg
ignation to the President, 10 AXE effect
January 2
THE President dared not face the
General in manly way and ask him
to retire, and give his reasons for max
ing the request He finally accomplish.
ed by indlrection what he dared not do
in an open and frank manner himself. ~
Gov Pingree states that Mr. Hobart
was finally prevailed upon by Attorney
General Griggs to convey to the Secre-
tary that his resignation was desired.
and gave my alleged alliance with
the Secretary as "a pretext "
DEMANDED BY NEW YORK POLITICIANS.
Commenting upon the whole matter.
the Governor says that the Generals
sacrifice" was compelled by demands
Of New York politicians, backed by the
"unscrupulous and heartless press. " lie
predicts that it will be learned THAT
the President himself has been respon-
sible for whatever mistakes have been
made in conducting the war.
lie adds Il am told on the very best
authority that Gen. Alger made very
few appointments Of officers during the
war, and that the commissions were
issued almost entirely upon the orders
Of the President F"
The Governor alleges that the more
recent attacks upon Alger in the east
were caused by his frank declaration Of
opposition to trusts, and adds that
there is decided odor of trusts
around the present administration, with
Mark Hanna as the acknowledged
king maker "
In conclusion the Governor calls
upon Michigan people and newspapers
to protest against the injustice done
the States foremost representative in
public life.