The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-07-20
ALGER At LAST RESIGNS
His Resignation Suddenly
rendered to the Presi-
dent Yesterday.
TO TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 1
NO OFFICIAL STATEMENT rs no
THE CAUSE.

NO OFFICI1L STATEMENT rs no
THE CAUSE.
A Conference With Vice-President Ho-
bart Probably Influenced the Action
Relations Between Mckinley and
His War Secretary strained-AIger's
Plans for the Future-To Try for the
Senate-No Information as to His Sue
cessor.
Washington, July 19.-Secretary Alger
to-day rendered to the president his
resignation of the war portfolio. The
resignation will become effective August
l, though 1t was rendered at the pleas
ure of the president. Gossip has begun
already as to his successor, but it is en-
tirely speculative, for Notwithstanding
the reports that Mr.. Alger would not
long continue at the head of the war de-
partment his actual resignation came
suddenly and Unexpectedly. Formal ac-
ceptance of the resignation had not been
made by the president up to late hour
tonight, but will be in letter to be
written within the next day or two.
No Official Statement of cause.
No official statement as to the cause of
the resignation was procurable either
from the president or from Secretary
Alger Nor was the letter of resigna-
tion obtainable. From the present moth
ing will be made known officially con-
cerning the severance Of the official re-
lations between the president and his
war minister, but later the official cor
respondence doubtless will be given to
the press. The belief had prevailed in
Washington for some time that the sec
retary would resign, but the date gem
orally set for it was towards the close
of the year. after he had submitted his
annual report. Its tender then had been
regarded as almost foregone conclu-
sion in view of Mr.. Alger's announce
ment about a month ago that he had
concluded to enter into competition for
the vacancy in the United States senate
to be caused by the expiration OF the
term of Senator Mcmillan.
Relations with the President.
There have been many explanations
and denials of the facts in the case,
ehAN"N
result of the Michigan visit of the sec
retary has been to change the relations
between the president and himself to
such degree as to render the connec-
tion of the two as part of the same OIL
cial family undesirable,
A Conference with Hobart.
It was largely at least as a result of
a conference with Vice President Ho-
bartyat NormanhuYst, N. j., that Secre-
tary Alger decided to leave the cabinet
at this time. AT this conference there
were were present beside Secretary AL
ger his military aide, Major Hopkins,
and perhaps some other person or per-
sons interested There has been no dis
closure of what passed at this confer
ence, but 1t is significant that the re-
turn of the secretary to Washington
was followed by prompt action.
Notifying the President.
He arrived in Washington last night.
Almost before the executive depart
p,ents were opened this morning he call
ed at the White house and visiting the
president in his Office, announced that
he had concluded to resign. What pass
ed on that point between himself and
the president is only matter of sur
mise, for neither has anything to say
on this point. Some routine business
pertaining to the war department was
disposed Of between the president and
the secretary, and then Mr.. Alger went
to his office and spent some time with
General Wilson, chief of engineers, and
Major Hopkins looking into a controver-
sy over a drawbridge in Michigan. Sew
eraI times they were Interrupted by
Adiutant General Corbin with matters
of pressing business requiring the sec
retary's personal action This attended
to Secretary Alger wrote out his resig-
nation. His call on this occasion was
brief and when he returned to the de-
partment he had long conference with
Adiutant General Corbin, who after
wards announced the resignation
AIger's Plans.
Mr.. Alger's plans for the future have
already been defined. Assistant Secre-
tary Meikleiohn is at present supposed
to be in Wisconsin. He is expected to
return to Washington to assume charge
of the war department until such time
&C the president shall name perma-
nent secretary Probably that will be
al the end of the present month, as by
the first of August Mr.. Alger will be at
liberty to lay down his task. he is
much wearied by the weight of respon"
sibility he has borne for nearly TWO
wears and a half. He has aged many
wears, in the opinion of his personal
friends. and is in need of rest. lie pro-
noses to depart for the northwest ana
enend some time in the lumber camps
belonging TO him ana then to pay visits
70 his children. These will occupy ms
time until we'll along into next tall'
About political matters the secretary
does not speak now but it may be SAID
that he will soon be ready, in view Oh
his already announced decision to take
such part in the Michigan senatorial
contest as conditions at the time Will |
warrant.
Question of Alger's Successor. |
The closest inquiry fails to elicit any |
information as to the intentions OF the |
nresident respecting the successor to |
General Alger Names are mentioned
but they are only those which have al |
ready been suggested in the press With |
ont securing either confirmation or de-
nial from any well informed person. |