RUSSELL A. ALGER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 06/18/1890 - HFSID 44685

RUSSELL A. ALGER
Letter from Alger dated 1890, asking that a friend inquire about a lithograph of Joseph B. Foraker seen in a local barber shop
Typed letter signed: "R.A. Alger", 1p, 7¾x10½. Detroit, Michigan, 1890 June 18. On personal letterhead to Comrade John M. Dalzell, Caldwell, Ohio. In part: "I now write to ask you a favor. In the little barber shop around the corner, from, and opposite the hotel where I stopped, run by an old Comrade, is a very fine lithograph of Governor Foraker. Will you please stop over there and get me the name of the company that made the lithograph...." JOSEPH B. FORAKER was Governor of Ohio from 1885-1889. Russell A. Alger (1836-1907), an attorney and Civil War hero, served as Secretary of War during McKinley's first term, from March 5, 1897 until August 1, 1899, when he resigned over criticism of his management of the War Department. Despite having been Governor of Michigan (1885-1887), Alger lacked the decisiveness required during the Spanish-American War. McKinley made his own strategic decisions without consulting Alger, and "Algerism" became a synonym for incompetence. Despite his failure in McKinley's Cabinet, Alger went on to publish a book, The Spanish American War (1901) and served in the U.S. Senate (1902-1907). Top half of page inlaid. Light surface creases. Multiple folds throughout. Lightly toned. Corners slightly worn. Top edge frayed and uneven. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on top left margin. Ink doubled over in center of page. Otherwise, fine condition.