Arizona republican., 1902-09-30
Senator Alger.

Senator A1eer.
 Governor Bliss has performed a ser vice for the whole country in appoint ing General Russell Alexander Alger to be a senator in congress from the state of Michigan. After the withdrawal of the Hon. D. NJ. Ferry, republicans everywhere would have felt that they had a personal grievance against the governor had he appointed anybody other than General Alger. In d friendly contest before the state convention at Grand Rapids on Thursday of last week. General Alger was endorsed by 5sS votes. against 427 votes for MT. Ferry Thereafter the vote was made unanimous, and the governor on Satur- day responded to this expression by making the appointment. The ap- pointment holds until the legislature meets. when Senator Alger will, of course, be formally elected.
 Thus General Alger is again called to the public service, for which he is so eninently fitted. Few men in public life are so perfectly equipped. Born in 1886, of New England stock, his ripened years find him a typical American, of well-rounded experience in all the af- fairs of life. But more important than this. General Alger is gifted with a great mind. From the very beginning he will take a high place in the sem ate's councils.
 Peculiar local interest has attached to the action of Michigan's governor, for, as heretofore stated in these col umns. from q practical standpoint Gen eral AIger as senator will fall little short of representing Arizona as well as Michigan. His extensive Invest 1nents in this territory, and his friendly interest in everything which makes for it's welfare. and his close Identification with it's future development, lend spe- cial significance to his entry into the senate.
 Ordinarily the public takes but an ephemeral interest in the fortunes of individuals. In the case of General Alger, however. fair minded democrats. and all republicans, have felt keenly the great injustice suffered by him be- cause of the cruel attacks of partisan enemies. It is true that immediately following the Spanish war the outcry against his administration of the war department was so we'll organized that many honest citizens were misled. But time and cool judgment have placed the events of those days in a clear light, and today Secretary Alger stands out as one of the great and rnblemisheI figures of the war. Above everything else, the brave war secretary was loyal 10 his party and to his president. With his keen insight into political affairs he saw that cunning and interruptions enemies were not only bent upon de- stroying him, but hoped by pulling him down to reach President Mckinley. With rare unselfshness, he left the cabinet that he might draw upon himself all the force of the conspiracy. He knew that he could safely leave the verdict tO HlStOTS, put, ullpueSIlOHdDlyr ne IIdu little hope that his vindication would come Tn his time.
 Before two years had elapsed. how ever, his countrymen were practically unanimous in the conviction that he had suffered a deep wrong They had become convinced that he as secretary of war he had not only discharged his duties with singular fidelity 10 his great trust, but had administered the department in a manner which would have been creditable to a Stanton. With superb ability and almost miraculous celerity, he had organized war from unready material and had launched against foreign shores an irvincible army. These are the plain facts which were quickly recognized by the people of the United States as soon as they had opportunity to make a proper analysis, and with true American fair ness they were prompt to admit the facts. Above all material success or political triumph, is to be prized the this esteem General Alger has found himself firmly established Conse- qUently he needed no seat In the United State7 senate as a vindication nor can that high position confer upon him any additional honor. But the country is to be congratulated.