New-York tribune., 1907-01-25
MR. ALGER'S RESIGNATION
Posth~mOas InterrieJo Regarding
His Retirement from Cabinet.

Milwaukee Jan. 24-''The Milwaukee Journal
prints a long interview to-day with General Russell
A Alger, which obtained in Detroit March
1900 giving inside facts regarding his resignation
from President McKinley's Cabinet and his cleo
ton later to in the United States Senate
General Alger exacted promise from The Jour
nal' at the time the interview was given that 1t
would not be published until after his death
General Alger told THE Journal that on ac-
count OF the severe criticism against him during
the Spanish American War he three times offered
10 resign from the Cabinet, but that each time
President Mckinley would not listen to the sugges-
ton and said he would quit the Presidency first.
General lger said that in spite of what Mr. McKin-
ley had said, the resignation was later accepted be-
cause the President was 'en barrassed" and AN
noyed" because Of Ayers alleged alliance with
Governor Pingree in plan to elect him CAlgerl 10
ths United States Senate, Mr. Mcmillan having
promlsed TO give way TO General Alger after his
(hcMlllans) term was up, General Alger said
that Mckinley lacked backbone
Early IN the spring of 1899 some time after the
nnal arrangement of terms OF peace had been made
with Spain. I happened to be in Detroit. and some
ihluentlal people of my home city came 10 me
aI4u asked me TO run for the United States Senate.
ana told them that l would do So" said General
AIgeI. 1t was step that had long been in my
mind Six years before I had been urged to be a
candidate. but l told James Mcmillan, who at that
uine was seeking the position that would not op-
pose hlHA added. however, that six years later
Wheh his term was Up. would probably be a can
didate for the place Mcmillan Immediately agreed
mat ne would retire in my interest at the end of
the term. Not only that but while I was Secre-
taTy OF War he came TO repeatedly and told
me the same thing, and he voluntarily made this
promise hfty times or more 20 friends of mine at
Washington"
Senator Alger told OF 4 meeting In Detroit. in
j. June 1888. at which Governor Pingree and twenty
senate. General A4ger promised them that he
mro , Inc news OF the meeting leaked out and
ps Upon General Ayers return 10 Washington he was
INFORMED by a newspaper that President Nc
member OF the Presidents oficiei family. kad
IoIned with man hostile TO the President Qmean-
ing Governor PtnSree} alliance against firm
supporter Of the administration (Senator MoMillan).
Later. however, When in New York. he received a
telegram from Vice President Hobart asking him
10 run down 10 the Hobart summer home at West
Hobag Hfb@g iran bs HeTe ne was by
because General Alger had formed an alliance with
Continuing. General Alger said: Hobart and
said little or nothing more about the matter. but
when l returned TO Washington ! went to the
president and asked hu why, iuasmuch as had
always dealt frankly and directly with MIN. he had
bart about the matter; I asked the President II I
49, aes ne said. you have embarrassed me- and 1
Il told him that could readily relieve his en-
oerraSsment BY resgning from his Cabinet. .
4 nave not asked you to resign. he said. I shall
But wrote my resignation and sent It to
the President In the mean time Mcmillan had
announced his candidacy for reelection the SEN
ate. most dishouOTabe thing 10 do, in view OF his
promise to ~" and many others. Before had re-
signed as Secretary Of War, before had seen
the President regarding Hobsrt's message 10 me, I
had decided, In order 70 prevent a fight among the
Republicans OF Michigan "a fight I should have
Won. however,, 10 withdraw a candidate for the
Senate. But did not tell the President so. The
option he meant TO give me, you see. was TO ahan-
don the hght against Mcmillan, IN order 10 save
my place in the Cabinet I resigned Secretary OF
War. and in few days I received from the Presi-
dent his written acceptance OF resignation.
Then went TO the President and told him that
when had accepted q place in his Cabinet had
not surrendered my citizenship
General Alger said he told the PTssident that No
MILAN was strongly In favor og Mr. Reed for Pres-
dent when Mr.. Mckinley seeking the nominA-
ton
The Journal correspondent asked for an esti-
mate OF Mr.. McKinley's character
II cannot give that 10 YOU" General AlRer re-
Piled Then he added: He has many lovRble quail
tiles; but he lacks backbone, and nothing can make
up for the lack of backbone"