Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-04-04
Wade Hampton's Interview
with President Hayes.

w ARLINGTON, March hz9.--(1OvernOr
Hampton, accompanied by Senator
Gordon, of Georgia, and Attorney
General Connor, of South Carolina,
had an interview with the President,
this afternoon. The conversation
was of free and general character.
It related primarily to the question
as to the probable condition of the
State. in case the troops should be
Withdrawn. The points urged by
Gov. Hampton and his friedds were
as follows: First, they claimed that
there is an imperative necessity for
speedy action as the planting inter-
ests Of South Carolina are in absolute
danger of destruction by reason of
the present unsettled state of affairs,
the labor system being in process Of
disintegration, and although the sea-
son for planting is already at hand
planters are unable as heretofore to
obtain an advance of money from
merchants and factors, and this disas-
trous condition of affairs, they said,
would continue until some stable sys-
tenn of government shall have been
established. In short, business ia par
alyzed and credit is almost entirely
destroyed throughout the State in
consequence of it's present unsettled
condition. Another reason for
speedy action urged by the gentle
men, is that carpet baggers and 9TH
ers interested in the perpetuation Of
the Chamberlain rule, were constant- /,
ly exciting riots and disaffection, and
the most assiduous care and forbear-
ance had to be exercised to prevent
open breaches of the public peace,
the ever present danger being that
they might become general through
out the State. Instances and illus
trations of this precarious condition
of affairs were presented to the Pres
ident with the same particularly and
detail. The remainder of the con-
versation was mainly directed to the
question as to what would be the
probable condition of affairs should
the troops be Withdrawn from the
State House, and what line of policy
Gov. Hampton was to pursue in that
event. On these points the President
was assured that there would be no
effort to seize the capitol by mob vio-
lence, and that only legal processes
would be resorted to by Gov. Hamp-
ton to support the supremacy of his
government.
No formal pledges were asked or
given during the interview, but Gov.
Hampton emphatically repeated the
statements he has heretofore made
that he possesses both purpose and
power to protect all persons and
classes alike in their legal and consti-
tutional rights. The President in re-
ply stated substantially that it was
his purpose to carry out in good
faith the promises Of his inaugural
address, as he was deeply anxious to
bring peace and quiet to the distracted
portions of the country, and he was
satisfied this result would be attained
in very short time.
During the entire conversation,
which lasted for several hours there
was no discussion of Chamberlain's.
right or title to the Governorship,
and nothing was said which contem-
plated his continuance in office, the
conversation being almost altogether
based upon the assumption Of the
withdrawal of Federal troops and
the relinquishment of legal questions
at issue to the State Courts.
Governor Hampton and his friends
say that they were greatly pleased
and encouraged by the interview,
and this evening feel confident that
the State of South Carolina will soon
be relieved of its present political and
industrial difficulties. Gov. Hampton
dined with Secretary Evarts this eve-
ming, and subsequently was visited
at his hotel by Secretary Schurz, with
whom he had long conversation
concerning the political situation in
South Carolina.
In course of the interview the Pres
ident was asked if he apprehended
any difficulties or disorder II. the
State. The President said he was
glad to say he had no such fears. He
was then asked if there was any rea-
son for Executive interference to
keep peace in South Carolina. The
President laughingly said he could
not answer such pointed questions.
CIVIL SERVICE.
One feature of civil service reform
will be the entire abolition Of all po-
litical tests in making any changes in
public service.
NO WITHDRAWAL YET.
On inquiry at theExecutive Man.
sion tonight tits positively ascertain
ed that there is no truth whatever
in the report that the President has
directed an order to be issued with
drawing troops from Columbia. As
both Governors have now been heard
no Executive action will be taken un-
til after the most deliberate consider
alton.
APPOINTMENTS.
The subject of the appointment of
successor to Judge Spence, Assistant
Attorney General for the Postofiice
Department, is under consideration
by Postmaster General Key, who has
mentioned the name Of Judge Free
man of Tennessee, for the position.-
disappointment has not, however,
been fully determined upon.
The following Indian Agents were
appointed: James Lawrence, of Da-
kota, for Spotted Tail Agency, Ne
braska; Jas. j. Patten, of Wyoming,
for Shoshone Agency, Wyoming.