Daily Capital Journal

The Democratic and independent newspapers can now take a rest in demanding the resignation of Secretary Alger. The administration papers have joined the chorus.

The New York Tribune, one of the staunchest Republican newspapers in the country, is daily asking for Alger's head and the Chicago Tribune approves and commends. In a recent article the New York newspaper says:

"Many practical politicians feel and have of late often expressed the conviction that the president should let go of Secretary Alger. Some Republicans no doubt admire the president for so doggedly upholding his secretary under fire, but they are not numerous.

Few prominent Republicans are found who now think he is acting wisely in doing so. A mere individual is nothing, the party everything, in the estimation of these men. General Alger's retention in office, now of questionable policy in many aspects, and so obviously detrimental to the president's personal interests, is becoming a subject of deep speculative wonder everywhere and by everybody."

The Tribune does not put the matter upon a very high plane. Party expediency, in its view, requires the retirement of Alger. Yet it does not hesitate to allege incompetency.

One cannot but have a secret admiration for that trait of the president's character which leads him to stand by his friends. He would not desert Alger "while he was under fire."

Now that the firing comes from party friends he may look at it differently.