The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-07-26

president. The following is Secretary
Ayers letter of resignation and the
presidents reply to it:
July 49, 1S99.-Sir: l beg TO tender 10
you my resignation of the office of secre-
tary of war, to take effect at such time
in the near future as you may decide the
affairs of this department will permit.
"In terminating my official connection
with your administration, / wish for your
continuous health and the highest measure
of success in carrying out the great work
intrusted TO you.
81 have the honor to be, very respect
fully your obedient servant,
"R A. ALGER.
'To the President"
The president replied:
Executive Mansion, July 20, 1S99.-Hon.
r. A Alger, Secretary of War, Dear Sir:
Your resignation of the office of secretary
of war under date of July 10, is accepted,
TO take effect the 1st of August, 1899
I'm thus severing the official relation
which has continued for more than two
years, 1 desire to thank you for the faith
full service you have rendered the country
at a most eXacting period and TO wish you
a long and happy life.
with assurances of high regard and
esteem, l am, yours sincerely,
WILLIAM MKINLEY."
Washington, ID. c., July %. - Elihu
Root, of New York, has accepted the war
portfolio in President McKinley's cab
met. The telegram of acceptance was
received shortly after noon Saturday.
The tender of the war portfolio was
made To Mr.. Root Friday night after
the conference at the white house. IT
is not expected that the acceptance will
make any change in the plans of Secre-
tary Alger, and he will remain on duty
here until the end of the present month,
being assisted by Mr. Meiklejohn.
Pingree Talks.
Detroit. July 22-Gov. Pingree issued
a signed statement giving what the
governor asserts to be facts which are
absolutely reliable, bearing upon the
relations between Gen. Alger and Pres
ident Mckinley, with which the public
is not familiar" At the outset the gov
ernor says:
81 have no hesitation in saying that the
course pursued by the president in this
matter is little less than cowardly. 1t is
10 say the least, unmanly."
Gov. Pingree said his information did not
come from Gen. Alger, but from zone
whose knowledge of the facts cannot be
disputed" Proceeding, he says that re-
peatedly since the eastern newspapers be-
gan their attack upon Secretary Alger the
secretary informed the president that If
these press comments embarrassed the ad-
ministration in the slightest degree, he
would resign at once, but the president as
often protested emphatcally that he had
the utmost confidence i'm Secretary AlgeT
and his conduct of the war department,
and that the country could not afford 10
lose his services. The governor says that
at the time his alleged alliance" with Gen.
Alger was announced and before his dis
avowal of interviews criticising the presi
dent had reached Washington, Gen AIgeT
told the president that upon the presidents
slightest intimation he would resign, but
the president refused TO entertain the idea
for a moment.
AS TO the alleged alliance" being any
reason for asking for Gen. Ayers resgna-
ton, Gov Pingree says: Long before
my announcement that l would support
Gen. Alger for the senate Secretary OF
State Hay, on June 2 last, requested Vice
President Hobart TO intimate TO Gen. AL
ger that his resignation would be accept
able TO the president aud would relieve
him from the embarrassing attacks of the
press upon the conduct of the war. Mr.
Hobart very properly declined to be a
party to such an unmanly, not 10 say
cowardly proceeding. and expressed his
opinion in terms decidedly vigorous
After that Gen. Alger, entirely ignorant
of this miserable conspiracy several times
offered 10 end the attacks by submitting
his resignation, but still the president did
not have the courage to express himself
to his secretary. Gen. Ager finally did
hand his resignation 10 the president, 10
take effect January 2
THE president dared not face the gen
eral in a manly way and ask him to retire
and give his reasons for making the re-
quest He finally accomplished by ndi-
rection 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 10 convey to the secretary that his
resignation was desired, land gave my
alleged alliance with the secretary as
preteXt"
Commenting upon the whole matter, the
governor says that Gen. Ayers "sacri-
flee" was compelled by the demands of
New York politicians. backed by the ''un-
scrupulous and heartless press" He pre-
diets that 1t will be learned that the
president himself has been responsible for
whatever mistakes have been made in
conducting the war"
He 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"
attacks upon Alger in the east were caused
by his frank declaration of opposition 10
trusts, and he adds. There is a decided
odor of trusts around the present admin
istration, with Mark Hanna as the ac-
knowledged kingmaker.'
In conclusion, the governor calls upon the
Michigan people and newspapers TO pro-
test against the injustice done the states
foremost representative in public life. 1t
Is conJectured here that Brig. Gen. Henry
M. Duffield gave some Of the foregoing in
formation but the general declines to be
interviewed.
AIger Reception Planned.
Detroit, July 24-Plans were put un-
der way Sunday for reception to Gen.
Alger which will be of character sell
dom seen in the city of Detroit. There
were meetings of the general commit
tee of five and the finance committee.
Gen. Alger will be met by the reception
committee at some point on his way
from Washington to Detroit At the
depot here he will be met by all the