Evening star., 1901-03-04
OF each OF these departments during the
administration instead Of three in the State
Department.

OF each of these departments during the
administration instead Of three in the State
Department.
Why Gen. Alger Retired.
Gen. Alger remained at the head OF the
war Department from March, 1897, until
December 6, 1899. He went out of office at
the same time as Judge Day. Secretary
Alger went through the great work of the
spanish campaign, organizing the volunteer
armies and preparing the country for a
struggle that all thought would have been
OF greater duration. The newspaper attacks
drove Gen. Alger out of the cabinet He
9la s not feel like having to endure the
oaiiy attacks. He left the official family
with the most cordial good feeling for the
PRESIDENT. and there is not stancher
friend OF the administration today. Sec
retary Root, who succeeded to the cares
of the office, is more Indifferent to criticism,
and conducts his office with the most sys-
tematic smoothness. He Is very near to
the President, and would probably become
secretary of State in case of the retire
ment OF Mr.. Hay.
James A. Gary of Maryland began with
the first administration as Postmaster Gem
eral. He was appointed as a recognition
OF the work of southern republicans and
especially to reward Maryland for her work
for the republican party. Mr.. Gary's health
was not good when he entered upon his
duties and when the Spanish war came on
his physician advised him not to under
take the exciting work of the campaign
ahead. Mr.. Gary rendered his resignation.
and his successor, Charles Emory Smith.
was appointed April p, 1S9S, just five days
before Judge Day became Secretary OF
State. Mr.. Smith has proven a valuable
man to the President and to his party. IL
there should be much shifting in the cabi-
net there is talk that Mr.. Smith would be-
come Secretary of War should Mr.. Root
go to the position of premier.
Friend of Vice President Hobart.
John w. Griggs was nominated At
torney General January %, 1898. but did
not enter upon his duties until some time
in February. He succeeded Joseph McKen-
ma, who had been appointed as asso-
ciate justice of the Supreme Court 70 fill
the vacancy caused by the retirement Of
Justice Field Mr.. Grggs had long been
the closest personal and political friend in
New Jersey of Vice President Hobart, and
al the time of his selection governor
of New Jersey. His nomination was made
on the recommendation of Mr. Hobart.
Mr. McKenna did not serve two years. and
escaped the difficult work of the Spanish
war.
Cornelius N. Bliss of New York did not
leave the cabinet until months after tho
close of the Spanish war. He had really
cared little about coming into the cabinet.
but accepted the Interior Department posi-
ton to obige the President, who sought
the splendid business and executive quail
UCatlOnS t0al MT- Bliss pOSStSS'l MI
Bliss had intended retiring after about two
years, but when the Spanish war came on he
would not desert the President. and was
relieved of his duties February 20, 1899,
Secretary Hitchcock taking the oath OF
office then. Mr.. Hitchcock was nominated
in December before, but he was then am
bassador Of this country to Russia, and
could not get here and take charge Tor
some time. Mr. Hitchcock is from MIS-
souri,. which has a traditional claim on tho
Interior Department. He is a prominent
manufacturer and has conducted his de-
partment on business principles.
Three Veterans.
The .hree men who have remained
throughout the administration and will en-
ter upon another term are Secretaries
Gage of the treasury, Long of the navy
and Wilson of agriculture OF these three
men Secretary Wilson is supposed to really
like his duties and his position. AS
farmer and scientific student of agricu-
tural matters 1T is a great delight TO MIN
in doing everything he can to aid In the
Improvement of agriculture and its kin
dred industries The President does not
think there is another man in the country
who could excel Mr.. Wilson in this position.
Secretaries Gage and Long belong In q
class to themselves. They are Indifferent
to cabinet life and personally care nothing
about staying in the cabinet Each has
great and intense personal esteem for the
President and stay with him at his bidding.
They would each get out in day without
regret If there was the slightest thought
that the President was not satisfied with
their services. Secretary Long has desired
to get out of the cabinet but the Presi-
dent has restrained this desire and insisted
on the Massachusetts man continuing at
the head of the Navy Department Despite
all the talk about Secretary Gage resign
ing he will stay in his position unul he
wants to go out.