Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1907-01-25

Milwaukee, Wis.,, Jan. 25.-A To- cal paper prints long interview with Gen. Russell A. Alger, whose sudden death occurred yesterday, which was obtained in Detroit on March 4, 1900, giving inside facts regarding the resignation from Me- kinley's cabinet and his election later to a seat in the United States senate. Gen. Alger said President Mckinley lacked backbone.
 Gen. Alger exacted promise from the journal at the time the inter- view was given that nothing would be published with regard to it until after his death. Gen. Alger told the journal that on account of severe criticism against him during the Spanish-American war he three times offered to resign from the cabinet, but that each time Presi- dent Mckinley would not listen to such a plan and that the president said he would quit the presidency before he would allow Alger to leave the cabinet. Gen. Alger said that the sequel showed how much Mckinley's words were worth, in that later his resignation was ac- cepted because the president was embarrassed" and "annoyed" be- cause of Alger's alleged alliance with Gov. Pingree in plan to elect Alger to the United States over Me- Milan after the latter had prom ised to give way to Gen. Alger after his (McMillan's) term was up.
 History of Trouble.
 Early in the spring of 1899, some time after the final arrangements of terms of peace had been made with Spain, I happened to be in Detroit and some influential people of my home city came to me and asked me to run for the United States sen ate and I told them that I would do so," said Gen. Alger. "Six years before I had been urged to be a can- didate, but I told James McMillan. who at that time was seeking the position, that I would not oppose him. I added, however, that six years later, when his term was up, l would probably be candidate for the place. McMillan immediately agreed that he would retire in my interest at the end of the term. Not only that, but while I was secre- tary of war he came to me repeated ly and told me the same thing, and he voluntarily made this promise fifty times or more to friends of mine at Washington"
 Gen. Alger told of meeting in Detroit in June, 1899, at which Gov Plngree and twenty or thirty state officials asked him to run for tho senate and promised them that he would.
 Mir. Mckinley Annoyed.
 The news of the meeting leaked out, and on Gen. Alger's return +o Washington he was informed by <, newspaper man that President Me klnley was annoyed because hc (Gen. Alger), member of his Of nc1al family, had formed an alliance With man hostile to him (meanino Gov. Pingree) against a firm sup- porter of the administration-S ator McMiilan.
 Gen. Alger placed no credence r. the report. Later, however, wher In New York. he received telegram rom Vice President Hobart, asking him to run down to his summer nome at West End, Long Branch. where he was informed. by MT Hobart that the president was en- oarrassed because Gen. Alger hae 1ormed an alliance with Pingree against so strong an administration man as Senator McMillan.
 continuing, Gen. Alger said:
 Hobart and said little or notn. ing more about he matter, but when l returned to Washington went 'o the president and asked him why. inasmuch as had always dealt 'rankly and. directly with him. h. 'ad not spoken to me instead of 'f'nbllng poor Hobart about tn