The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-19
ALeER's NEW AMBITION.
His Chances for the Vacant Michigan
Senatorship.

0SudlOTSiiiRa
Washington. -ParagraphCrs who assert
that the Mcmillan Republicans in Nichi-
gan may assist In electing Gen. Russell
A. Alger to the place made vacant by
the death of Mr.. Mcmillan evidently do
not recall the exact reason why General
Alger did not succeed Mcmillan at the
close of the latter's second term. There
is in this some interesting inside history
concerning three men of rational promi-
hence. At the beginning of the war with
Spain Senator Mcmillan felt that he
would have about enough or public life
by the end of twelve years, and in an In
formal way suggested to the friends Of
General Alger that the latter would be a
suitable successor for him. There was
one rigorou condition attached. 1t was
that General Alger should continue the
ar against Hazen D. Pingree. Senator
Mcmillan felt that the very life of the
Republican party In Michigan depended
upon the eradication of Pingreeism. He
had confidence that 1t would wear itself
out and that all that was necessary was
for the old-line Republicans to present
an uncompromisiug attitude toward tho
sensational leader and his following. Mr..
Mcmillan also had the feeling that il he
retired while Fingree was still strong and
defiant 1t would lcolI as il he had been
driven from power by his rival.
General A1ger, to secure the co-opera-
tion of the Mcmillan men in an effort to
get the senatorial nomination. is under
stood to have agreed that he would carry
on the fight against Pingree. At that time
a 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
Pingree sent the Michigan regiments to
war in Pullman cars. He declared that
If any one rode In day coaches 1t should
be the officers. He had been a private in
the civil war and announced that he
would look after the enlisted men in this
war, leaving the commissioned men to
the war department He secured extra
good shoes for the Michigan privates and
uniforms which cost twice as much as
the regulation suits.
The popular response to these things
was overwhelming. Senator Mcmillan was
serene, having seen these outbursts be-
fore. General Alger was stampeded. He
decided that If he was to get into the
senate he must seek the aid of Pingree
There were meetings between the princi-
pals and many conferences on the part Of
subordinate Alger and Pingree men.
Senator Mcmillan said nothing when he
learned that Alger and Pingree had be-
come political partners, but pretty soon
there was demonstration in Michigan In
favor of Mcmillan as his own successor.
The sentiment grew gradually, became
overwhelming and he was returned. In
the meantime his fight against Pingree
went steadily on, with crushing results.
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 cabi-
net, the secretary of war became pam
icky. A mutual friend was hurried to
Manchester-by-the-sea to see Mcmillan
and ask him to come to Ayers 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 disposed. Senator Mcmillan
never made public expression concern
ing the desertion 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 late James McMil-
Ian as senator from Michigan. He was
asked by one of his friends recently II
he intended to be a candidate and replied:
"See me on Monday"