The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1907-02-01
"INsIDE HISTORY"
Revealed by Fosthumous Story of
General Alger
BE TELLS OF RESIGNATION
President Mckinley, Accused of
Lacking Backbone, Was EN-
barrassed" Because of Ayers
Alliance With Piugree

Milwaukee. Jan. 25.-The Milwaukee
| Journal prints an interview with Rus
sell A. Alger obtained March 4, 1900
and not to be used until his death, in
which he said he three times offered
to resign as secretary of war i'll Presl-
! dent McKinley's cabinet because OF
criticisms. but. that Mckinley replied
each time that he would quit the presl-
dency first
After telling of the arrangement Win
Pingree and other Michigan politicians
that he run for the senate to succeed
Mcmillan, who agreed to withdraw IN
Alger's favor at the end of his term,
Alger continues that on his return 10
WASHINGTON he was informed by a
newspaper man that Mckinley was an
moved because he (Alger) had formed
with a man hostile to the president
meaning Pingree) an alliance against
a firm supporter of the administration
(McNIllan).
General Alger placed no credence IN
the report. Later, however, Wheh Ill
New York he received telegram from
Vice President Hobart asking him to
run down to Long Branch. Ihere ne
was informed by Hobart that the presl-
dent was embarrassed because Alger
had formed an alliance with Pingree.
Continuing, Alger said: Hobart and
y 1;4.1a Of moro bOI1t the
matter, but when l returned to wash
ington | went to the president ana
asked him why, inasmuch as l had al
ways dealt frankly and directly with
him, he had not spoken to me instead
of troubling poor Hobart about the
matter. | asked the president II mad
really embarrassed him.
eyes he said, you have embar-
raised me and am annoyed
81 told him that l could readily re
lieve his embarrassment by resignlng
from his cabinet. L have not asked
YOU to resign he said; 1 shall never ask
you to resign
But | wrote out my resignation and
sent it to the president. In the mean
time, Mcmillan had announced his can
didacy for reelection to the senate,
most dishonorable, thing to do, in view
of his promise to me and many others.
Before | had resigned as secretary OF
war. even before | had seen the presi-
dent regarding Hobart's message to
me. | had decided, in order to prevent
A fight among the Republicans of Mich
lean Ia fight | should have won, how
every to withdraw as a candidate for
the senate. But did not tell the presi-
dent so. The option he meant to give
me. you see, was to abandon the fight
against Mcmillan, in order to save my
Mace in the cabinet. l resigned as sec
rotary of war and in few days re-
celved from the president his written
acceptance of my resignation. Then
went to the president and l told him
that when | had accepted place in his
cabinet | had not surrendered my citi-
zenship."
General Alger said he told the presi-
don't that Mcmillan was strongly in ia
vor of Reed for president when Nc
Kinley was seeking the nomination.
The Journal correspondent asked foS
an estimate of McI&inley's character
81 cannot give that to you" Alger re.
nlied. Then he added: HE has many
lovable qualities, but he lacks back
bone and nothing can make up for the
lack of back bone"