History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

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HISTORY OF DETROIT

The one feature of his political career that brought its chalice of
regret and sorrow to the lips of General Alger was that connected with
his service in the office of secretary of war in the cabinet of President
McKinley and at the time of the Spanish-American war. Time has already shown how unjust were the criticisms directed against this loyal,
honorable and patriotic citizen and able official. In 1896 he was called
to the cabinet of President McKinley, in the portfolio of secretary of
war, and he assumed the duties of the office on the 4th of March, 1897.
The unpleasantness which marked his administration was the direct result of "long existent conditions revealed by the stern test of war." It
is not necessary here to record the history of the case, but naught
of vindication is demanded for General Alger, concerning whom, in
this connection, the New York Post spoke as follows, at the time of his
death: -"He was a victim of the wretched organization of the army and
the department, which clung to the system of the Civil war that had
long been outgrown." He resigned his post as secretary of war in
August, 1899, and gratifying to him must have been the enthusiastic
and sympathetic reception which was given him by the people of his own
state after the criticism which had been leveled at him with so great
injustice. When he passed from the scene of life's mortal endeavors
his successor in the office of secretary of war, Hon. William H. Taft, now
president of the United States, gave the following appreciative estimate
of his services in the office: "General Alger was patriotic, earnest and
most devoted to the interests of the army) and, especially, considered the
welfare of the enlisted men. He was a gentle, kindly man with great
confidence in his friends and associates, and was much beloved by his
subordinates. He was the subject of unjust criticism because of the
country's lack of preparedness for war when war came, although for
this he was in no wise responsible."
On the 27th of September, 1902, Governor Bliss appointed General
Alger a member of the United States senate, to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Senator James McMillan, and on the 20th of the following January he was regularly elected to the same office, by the legislature
of the state. Owing to failing health he declined to become a candidate
for re-election and his term of office as senator would have expired
March 4, 1908. He distinctively honored his state by his services in the
United States senate, of which he was a member at the time of his death,
which occurred in the city of Washington, on the 24th of January, 1907,
as the result of oedema of the lungs. His summons was sudden, as
the attack which terminated his life came only about ten minutes before
he succumbed. He had long suffered from valvular disease of the heart,
and his health had been delicate for some time. The following extract is
taken from an editorial article which appeared in the Washington,
D. C., Herald at the time of his demise and which is but one example of
many thousands of appreciative estimates appearing in the press of the
nation at that time: "General Russell A. Alger did not live in vain. A
kindly, lovable character, he was helpful to his fellows and served his
country well. He was the type of rich man whom riches do not spoila man who had his wealth to good ends, while material success did not
put him out of touch with humanity. Michigan loved him as he loved
Michigan." Glowing tributes to his worth were paid in both house of
Congress and in the legislature of his home state, while in Detroit there
was such an outpouring of citizens of all classes to render a last mark of
affection and respect as to establish anew his wonderful claim upon the
love and appreciation of the city to whose welfare he had so largely contributed. His body lay in state in the city hall from two until five
o'clock on the Sunday following his death, and the entire community