Secretary Alger

President-Elect McKinley has selected one of Michigan's most popular men for Secretary of War. Gen. Alger is the man, and the choice has the practically unanimous endorsement of the people of the state. (jen. Alger is a thoroughly capable man for the place. He had ampie war experiehce to lii him for the real anny part of the vork. vhile his large and successful business [ experience has proved him to be possessed of the business qualiflcations rcqnis.te for a successful department manager. The people of his own state have triecl him many times and never l'ound him wanting. In character he stands unimpeachable, and his philac thropies have made him beloved all over the state. Ilis appointment is an honor to the state, and to the president-elect, and Gen. Alger will be a credit to the administration of whieh he is to be part. The Demoorat adds its hearty congratulations to the many he has already received. Some little excitement was manif ested on the streets the early part of the week because two or three l'niversity instructors were said to have been found by the pólice, nosing around the back parts of the place where saloons were located, and, being taken by the pólice for robbers, arrested, and only released after some considerable explanation, and a show of rigliteous indignation on the part of the pólice forcé that they should be caught in such business. The gentlemen themselves claim that they were looking around for the violations of liquor laws, and that they were accosted by the pólice and vcry courteously treated and promised every assistance in the power of the department. Be the facts as they may,we see no reason why these men sbould be more criticised for their action because of their relation to the University. Surely a man does not need to surrender all claim to citizenship on accepting a position as instructor. As for their socalled spying, that is the only way to catch a law-breaker. The man who deprecates such action is silly, as it is not to be expected that law-breakers will go up and down the streets proclaiming themselves. The r aetions are done in secret and they must be secretly discovered. We hope that the matter may be stripped of all side issues, and if any citizen is discovered violating the law, the violation may be punished, and that without any further trouble because of who discovered it or how it was done. In these days of bitter cold, and suf fering among the poor, the Öalvation '■ Army in Detroit has proven itself a strong power for good, and has enabled much suffering to be relieved that might not have been discovered unt;l it was too late. No other ageucy hasj proven itself so well acquainted with the poor and their needs, not even ihe churches. The city gpvernment which is supposed to keep track of these unfortunates, found itself coming to the Army for information. As a oonsequence much of the re ief work was turned over to the army. and tliis fact i has given it a aew hold upon the j pie. Those who had bounty to dis tribute and did not know where to place it, have also gained a new insight into the methods of the Salvation Army. Havingthus proven it?elf in the hour of trial, the Army should hereafter re ceive better support from the citizens of Detroit. What Is true of Detroit is true also ín various degrees of other places. The army is doing a grand work, and sliould receive the cordial support of christian people eyerywhere. Bepkesentative Perkt of Mimistee, seems to be a funny kind of a legislator. When sent out to investígate a state institution- the upper península asylum for tlie insane- he actually seemed incUned lo investígate. ïhe other members of the committee in sisted on Beeing the hole thing and learing the saine day tliey got there. l'crrv insisted on staving long enough to become somewbat acquainted with the needs oí the instituí ion. That fellow aeeds watching. If somebody does not take care of him he is liable to go back to Lansing and know what he is talking about. Considerable complaint is bemg made over the use of 'orth State &treet ! for racing purposes. That is too busy a street. Hundreds are passing there at all hours of the day, and the street is in constant use for business trailic. It was supposed that South University ave. had been flxed up on purpose for ilyers, and that street can be used with comparatively little danger. They I should be compelled to confine their fast driving to that street.