The Washington times., 1902-08-17
ALGER'S AMBITION TO
SECURE SENATE SEAT
Said to Desire to Succeed
Late Senator Mcmillan
SOME INSIDE HISTORY
Events Connected With the Spanish
War, Because of Which the Ex-
Secretary Retired from the Michigan
Race Reply Expected Tomorrow.

There are number of rumors afoat
thar Gen. Russell A. Alger will sue
ceed the late Senator Mcmillan. One
reason for these rumors is the fact that
Senator Mcmillan once remarked to his
friends that General Alger would make
retired, which he expected TO do at the
expiration of twelve years in the SEN
ate.
Those who do not know the inside
facts in the case do not know why Gen
eral Alger did not succeed Senator Me
MILAN at the expiration of his second
term. 1t is said that there is a pro-
viso attached TO Mr.. Ayers taking the
office. If he promised to keep UP the
fight against Pingree in his State, ne
would be elected. If he did not make
the promise, he would have to go with
out the SenatorshiD.
War Against Pingree.
Senator Mcmillan felt that the very
life of the Republican party in Michigan
depended upon the eradication OF Pin
greeism. He had confidence that It
would wear itself out and that all that
was necessary was for the old-line Re-
publicans to present an uncompromis-
ing attitude toward the sensational
leader and his following Mr. Mcmillan
also had the feeling that II he retired
while Pingree was still strong and de-
fiant it would look as If he had been
driven from power by his rival.
General Alger. to secure the cooper
alton of the Mcmillan men in an effort
tc get the Senatorial nomination, is un-
derstood to have agreed that he would
carry en- the light against Pingree. A.
that time wave of popular fancy for
Pingree passed over Michigan, which in
height has never been equaled, and, in
fact. was the last great manifestation
OF his power.
Soldiers in Pullmans.
Pirgree sent the Michigan regiments
20 war in Pullman cars. He declare.
that II anyone rode i'll day coaches it
should be the officers. He had been
private in the civil war. and announced
hat he would look after the enlisted
men In this war. leaving :he commits
stoned men to the War Department.
He secured extra good shoes fer the
michigan privates, and uniforms which
ccst twice as much as the regulation
suits.
The popular response to these things
was overwhelming. Senator Mcmillan
was serene. having seen these outbursts
before. General Alger was stampeded.
He decided that II he was to get into
the Senate he must seek the aid of Pin
gree. There were meetings between the
principals, and many conferences on the
part OF subordinate Alger and Pingree
men.
Senator Mcmillan said nothing when
he learned that Alger and Pingree had
become political partners, but pretty |
soon there was a demonstration in Mich |
igan in favor of Mcmillan as his own
successor. The sentiment grew gradu- |
ally, became overwhelming and he was
returned. In the meantime his fight |
against Pingree went steadily on with |
crushing results.
Retired from Race.
When the celebrated conferences were
taking place at Long Branch, where
Vice President Hobart was staying. as
to the propriety OF continuing Alger |
in the Cabinet. the Secretary of War
became panicky. A mutual friend was
hurried to Manchester blythe Sea 10 |
see Mcmillan, and ask him to come to |
Alger's aid: in return, Alger agreed |
to retire from the Senatorial race. The |
answer of Mcmillan was that he could |
do nothing now. even were he so dis |
posed Senator Mcmillan never made |
a public expression concerning the de- |
sertion of Alger in the Pingree fight. |
but the entire Alger following has never |
ceased to feel the suppressing force |
of the Mcmillan organization.
1t is expected at Detroit that General |
Alger will announce on Monday that he |
wants to succeed the lete James Nc
MILAN as Senator from Michigan. He |
was asked by one OF his friends If he |
int ended to be q candidate and replied