 |
| Russell Alexander Alger. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, July 20, 1899.
ALGER HAS RESIGNED.
The Secretary of War Yields to Public Opinion.
WILL STEP OUT OF THE CABINET.
His Resignation Is to Take Effect August 1, But Was Tendered at the Pleasure of the President—Formal Acceptance Not Yet Announced Officially.
WASHINGTON, July 20.—Secretary Alger tendered to the president his resignation of the war portfolio. The resignation will become effective Aug. 1, though it was tendered "at the pleasure of the president." Notwithstanding the reports that Mr. Alger would not long continue at the head of the war department, his actual resignation came suddenly and unexpectedly. That it would come by the end of the year was generally believed, but so little was it expected at this time that some of the cabinet officers when the news first became public were inclined to regard the announcement as premature.
Formal acceptance of the resignation has not been made by the president, but will be in a letter to be written within the next day or two.
No official statement as to the cause of the resignation was procurable either from the president or from Secretary Alger, neither of whom would talk on the subject. Nor was the letter of resignation obtainable at this time. For the present nothing will be known officially concerning the severance of the official relations between the president and his war minister, but later on the official correspondence closing the latter's career as chief of the war department doubtless will be given to the press.
The belief had prevailed in Washington for some time that Secretary Alger would resign from the cabinet, but the date generally set for it was toward the close of the year after he had submitted his annual report, in which he intended to sum up what had been accomplished during his brief but eventful direction of the war department. Its tender then had been regarded as almost a foregone conclusion in view of Mr. Alger's announcement about a month ago that he had concluded to enter into competition for the vacancy in the United States senate to be caused by the expiration of the term of Senator McMillan, a strong supporter of the administration and that he had enlisted in his active support Governor Pingree, to whom had been attributed free criticism of the policy that was supposed to be cherished by the president toward the Filipinos.
At one time since then there was ground for the belief that a rupture might be avoided, but this belief ceased to be held when the news spread that Vice President Hobart and Secretary Alger were in conference at Normanhurst. It was largely at least as a result of this conference that Secretary Alger decided to leave the cabinet at this time. At this conference there were present besides Secretary Alger, his military aide and close personal and political friend and adviser, Major Hopkins, and perhaps some other persons or person who also felt a deep interest in the future of the secretary.
There has been no disclosure of what passed by the seaside, but it is significant that the return of the secretary to Washington was followed by prompt action. He arrived in Washington Tuesday night, too late to make any official calls. Almost before the executive departments were opened for business Wednesday morning he called at the White House, and visiting the president in his office, announced that he had concluded to resign his office. What passed on that point between himself and the president is only of the matter of surmise for neither have anything to say on this point.
The secretary returned to his office, wrote out his formal letter of resignation and personally carried it over to the White House, His call on this occasion was brief, and when he returned to the war department he closed the door of his office to most of the many callers who were in waiting and had a long conference with Adjutant Corbin. To the newspaper men who sought to secure some expression from him the secretary was courteous, but uncommunicative.
Mr. Alger's plans for the future have already been defined. Mr. Meiklejohn, the assistant secretary of war, is at present supposed to be in Wisconsin, whither he went two weeks ago to make a personal inspection of the Fox river improvements, has been notified of what has happened and is expected to return to Washington to assume charge of the war department until such time as the president shall name a permanent secretary. Probably that will be by the end of the present month and by the 1st of August, [that] Secretary Alger will be at liberty to lay down his task. He is much wearied by the weight of responsibility he has borne for nearly two years and a half; he has aged many years in the opinion of his personal friends, and is in need of rest. He proposes to depart for the Northwest and spend some time in the lumber camps belonging to him and then to pay visits to his children. These will occupy his time until well along into next fall.
About political matters the secretary does not speak now but it may be fairly surmised that he then will be ready, in view of his already announced decision, to take such part in the Michigan senatorial contest as conditions at the time will warrant.
The closest inquiry fails to elicit any information as to the intentions of the president respecting the appointment of a successor to Mr. Alger. Names are mentioned, but they are only those which have already been suggested with more or less on plausibility in the press without securing either confirmation or denial from any well informed persons. The members of the cabinet were all disinclined to talk about the succession, though one did remark that the president had made no mention of a name to him and he believed that no decision had yet been reached. He also conveyed the impression that no appointment would be made immediately but that Mr. Meikeljohn would be allowed to direct affairs for some time to come.
As to the report that General Corbin would be secretary ad interim, an officer close to the general said there was no basis for the report; that the president had never contemplated naming General Corbin ad interim and that if such an appointment were tendered it would not be accepted.
The news of the resignation caused a buzz of comment in all public places but at the White House there was no evidence that any unusual event had occurred. The president went for a drive with his niece, Miss Duncan, late in the afternoon, handling the reins himself. There were no callers of importance during the early part of the evening, but about 9 o'clock Secretary Hay, accompanied by Senator Fairbanks of Indiana, who is just back from an inspection of the Alaskan boundary seat of difficulties, came over for a talk on this subject. There was no evidence of a cabinet conference and no suggestion of anything in that line. There was nothing to give out for publication, it was said.
Adjutant General Corbin was seen and while not wishing to discuss any of the facts connected with the resignation, expressed his personal regret at the turn of affairs. He said:
"I feel great sympathy and great respect for the secretary. History will show that if he has erred it has been on the side of the soldier, on the side of those who were fighting the battles. No man in that position has ever had more at heart the interests of the soldiers, their comfort and their welfare. Time and again he has said to us that everything must yield before the requirements of the men in the field and if the funds were lacking he would pay for it himself. He will leave the department with the respect and esteem of every man in it."
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
After Five Weeks Deliberation a Coroner's Jury Returns a Verdict.
LOCKPORT, N. Y., July 20.—After five weeks' deliberation the coroner's jury reached a verdict in the case of Sarah Humford, the 17-year-old-girl adopted by Henry Tripp of Pendleton, from a Rochester asylum, whose dead body was found on the Central tracks near Shawnee, June 9, at 2 a. m.
The inquisition charges that she came to her death at the hands of Henry Tripp, his wife Matilda and his son Loren. Tripp's daughter Alva is named as an accomplice. The Tripps are well-to-do people of Pendleton. The girl, Sarah, was adopted about six years ago. The neighbors claim she had to work hard and was badly treated. The Tripps say that on the evening of June 8 she left the house bareheaded and that they made a vain search for her. Next morning her remains were found on the track four miles from the house. There was scarcely any blood in the vicinity, indicating that the girl had been dead some time and that the body had been placed on the track.
The jury ordered the arrest of the Tripps and a warrant was at once issued and served, all the accused being landed in the jail in this city. The warrants on which they were arrested charge Henry Tripp, Matilda Tripp and Loren Tripp with murder and Alva Tripp as an accessory. They will have a hearing before the coroner. Mrs. Tripp was almost hysterical with grief when arrested, but the other prisoners took their arrest coolly.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Sec. Alger Resigns.
Hon. Russell A. Alger, secretary of war, tendered his resignation to the president yesterday to take effect at the latter's pleasure. The resignation will be accepted.
This step by Secretary Alger is becoming, on account of his candidacy for the Michigan senatorship. Without regard to the alliance General Alger has formed with the governor of Michigan it would be unbecoming for him to remain in the cabinet while avowedly a candidate for another office. And in view of peculiar political views of Governor Pingree it was impossible for one in alliance with him to retain a place in the cabinet.
Secretary Alger was the object of much unmerited abuse during and after the Spanish war. There were mistakes in the outfitting of the volunteer army, inseparable from the increase of the military establishment from 25,000 to 275,000. But when the history of that campaign is dispassionately made up justice will be done to the war deportment, which is so brief a time raised and equipped a quarter of a million men and dispatched conquering forces to Cuba, Porto Rico and the far off Philippines. General Merritt, than whom no soldier of our day is better qualified to judge, holds General Alger to have been one of the best secretaries of war the country ever had. His resignation from the cabinet is due to other cause than his conduct of his office during the Spanish war.
 |
| William McKinley. |
THE PRESIDENT ACCEPTS
Secretary Alger's Resignation and Sends a Letter.
WASHINGTON, July 20.—Secretary Alger has received from President McKinley a letter accepting his resignation to take effect Aug. 1. The letter was brought to the war department by Mr. Cortelyon, the acting secretary for the president. Mr. Alger did not make its terms public, but read it to a few intimate friends.
Be Fought on the Monitor.
Richard Brown, the unfortunate man found at The D., L. & W. station [in Cortland, N. Y.] Monday night by Sheriff Brainard, was brought into police court this morning, but talked in so incoherent a manner that he was not formally arraigned on any charge. He is evidently an epileptic. He said that he had lived in Syracuse, Watertown, and in Cattaraugus county. He has periods when he is apparently rational, and says that he was a veteran on the Monitor, and while there suffered a sunstroke which caused his trouble. The officers are inclined to believe him, but what to do with him is a leading question.
FELL FROM A ROOF.
Carpenter William Gray Injured by Electricity and a Fall.
William Gray of 8 Townley-st., a carpenter under the employ of Contractor N. P. Meager, fell from the roof of the building of W. D. Riley at 16 and 18 Main-st. at 2:45 this afternoon and sustained what may prove serious injuries. He with other workmen had about completed the shingling of the building when Mr. Gray in some way lost his foothold and slipped from the roof to the ground, a distance perhaps of 25 feet. In falling, with one hand he grabbed a live electric light wire and received quite a shock of electricity besides a badly burned hand. He fell to the ground, striking on his head and shoulders. Beard & Peck's ambulance took him to his home, where Drs. Higgins and Sornberger examined and attended to his injuries. It is probable that no bones are broken, but that the electric shock caused the most injury. He was in a stupor, but not entirely unconscious when he reached home.
LADIES' LITERARY CLUB
Held a Picnic at the Cortland Park Yesterday.
The Ladies' Literary club held a picnic at the park yesterday, nearly all the active and honorary members, now in town being present. They went over to the park at about 11 o'clock and dinner was served at the noon hour. An informal and impromptu program of toasts followed, with Mrs. J. E. Banta acting as toastmistress. The rest of the afternoon was spent in a social way beneath the shade of the great forest trees.
PICNIC AT ITHACA.
Not an Accident and all Had a Fine Time.
The picnic of the young people's societies at Ithaca was a great success yesterday so far as having a good time was concerned. Because of the clouds in the morning the numbers were probably diminished by half at least, but that really made it all the more enjoyable for those who did go.
There were plenty of [trolley] cars to meet the two trains at Ithaca and those who desired to do so went directly to Renwick park without transfer. The Ithaca Journal last night said: "The Cortland City band which accompanied the excursion occupied a car and played several pieces on its way down. The music was excellent and pleased the local musicians very much."
Those who wished to do so went first to the Cornell campus and took a look through the buildings or visited the two gorges.
The skies cleared up and the boat ride to Glenwood was a pleasant feature, while the shade of the large grove there was very acceptable.
The one disappointment of the day was in the failure of the ball game between the nines from the First Baptist and Congregational churches to materialize, and that was through no negligence on the part of the local management or of the players. Mr. M. J. Peck, the chairman of the excursion committee, says that the manager of the Ithaca Traction company promised him the use of some private grounds adjoining Renwick park which he said he had been able to secure for a number of times before without objection. Mr. Peck asked him to send word in advance if he could not for any reason get the grounds for this day as he did not want to advertise something which could not occur, and the manager promised to telephone him if there was any slip about it. When they got ready for the game yesterday they found the gate to the grounds closed and locked. The manager of the Traction company was telephoned to and then acknowledged that he could not secure the grounds for this game as the owners had decided not to lease them any more.
However, the concert by the splendid Ithaca band was no failure and every one enjoyed it immensely. These concerts are one of the most popular features of the park. A director of the Traction company said yesterday that his company had to pay the band $120 a week for their evening concerts, and of course the one yesterday afternoon was an extra. With such a superb leader as it has, with fine such musicians, with such steady patronage and such constant practice and with such hearty appreciation on the part of the public it is no wonder that Ithaca can have and does have a fine band. The city turned out in crowds yesterday afternoon to hear the music and enjoy the cool breezes, though neither are a novelty to the people there. Applause was frequent throughout the concert. By invitation Messrs. F. W. Lanigan and William Harvey of the Cortland City band played with the band during the concert yesterday.
At about 5 o'clock the most of the excursionists turned their faces Cortlandward and began to take the cars that would return them to the East Ithaca station. The great majority came home on the first train which reached Cortland at about 7:15, though some remained over for the other.
Much credit is due for the success of the affair to Mr. M. J. Peck, the chairman of the committee. Mr. Peck has won laurels for himself in previous years in managing excursions from Cortland, and last night the crowd with one accord felt inclined to throw bouquets at him for yesterday's pleasurable affair, only it didn't have the bouquets, and that one little reason was the sole explanation of why he didn't go home from the train heavily laden with fresh flowers.
St. Mary's Picnic.
The annual picnic of the Sunday-school of St. Mary's church will be held at Cortland park next Thursday. The school will leave the church at 10 o'clock and go to the park in special cars. The Traction Co. has promised to the children a rate of one fare for the round trip, and tickets can be procured at any time from Rev. Father Flynn at the parochial residence.
A Business Change.
The firm of Wallace & McKean, proprietors of the European hotel on Court-st., has been dissolved. Mr. Wallace retires and Mr. McKean will continue the business. The former has not yet made public his plans for the future. A first-class diningroom and restaurant has been conducted at this stand for years and Mr. McKean will undoubtedly keep up the standard of excellence in his management as sole proprietor.
The Hollisters in DeRuyter.
W. K. Hollister, a Cortland hardware dealer, was in town Tuesday, arranging to equip a bathroom in Mrs. S. M. Crumb's remodeled residence.—DeRuyter Gleaner.
T. N. Hollister, long one of the head clerks at Warren & Tanner's mammoth Cortland store, was here Tuesday taking the measurements for furnishing Mrs. S. M. Crumb's residence with carpets, etc. He recently fitted Mrs. L. M. Tripp's fine residence north of the village with carpets in a most satisfactory manner.—DeRuyter Gleaner.
ANOTHER GUIDELESS WONDER.
George W. Davenport has a Possible Successor to Marion Mills.
There is more than a probability that Cortland may produce a guideless wonder who can take the place of Marion Mills who fell on the racetrack at the fair grounds last fall and died from injuries sustained. [Pacer Marion Mills was buried at the Cortland Fairgrounds in 1898—CC ed.]
George W. Davenport has a fine horse, Bobby Walker, 11 years of age, who has a pacing record of 2:29 1/4. One night last week he took the horse up to the fair grounds and sent him around the track alone. The horse kept the pole fairly well, and came down the home stretch with a great deal of speed. Those who saw the exhibition were highly impressed. It is possible that a running mate may be secured to aid in guiding him until he learns what is required, if Mr. Davenport decides to attempt to train him.
THE A. O. U. W.
To Assist Homer in Instituting a New Lodge of Fifty Members.
A regular meeting of Cortland lodge, No. 351, Ancient Order of United Workmen, will be held in their lodgeroom on Friday evening, July 21. A large attendance is desired as several candidates are to be initiated and a large number of applications are to be acted upon. It is also necessary to make arrangements for going to Homer to assist in the institution of a new lodge of about fifty charter members.
Ptomaine Poisoning.
What is thought by the physician to be a case of ptomaine poisoning occurred in Dryden Tuesday at the home of Mrs. H. A. Lyon, where one after another of numerous guests after partaking of a hearty dinner was attacked with great distress thought to resemble the effects of poison. Dr. E. Davis Allen was summoned and under his care all were finally enabled to recover, but for a time the house was very much like a hospital. It is thought the ptomaines, if such was the cause of the trouble, were developed in some cold meat which had been served.—Dryden Herald.
BREVITIES.
—There are now 100 patrons of the Marathon waterworks.
—A meeting of the A. O. H. will be held to-morrow evening. All members are requested to be present.
—The National bank of Cortland has changed the color of the exterior of, its building from a cream to a deep red.
—Charles Mix in police court this morning pleaded guilty to the charge of public intoxication and paid a fine of $5.
—New display advertisements to-day are—David C. Lewis, Pullman House, Thousand Islands, page 5; Palmer & Co., Clearance Sale, page 8.
—The public meeting to hear opinions and arguments on the proposition to pave Port Watson-st., will be held in Fireman's hall to-morrow night.
—The laying of the cement, combined curb and gutter for the Lincoln-ave. pavement began to-day. Broken stone and sand for the concrete foundation for the pavement is being distributed. Very little excavation is necessary.
—Eureka Hose Co., No. 4, has purchased a $25 Ithaca calendar clock, to be given to the best appearing company in the firemen's parade Aug. 3.—Ithaca Journal. Now, Cortland companies, which one of you is going to bring that clock home with you?
No comments:
Post a Comment