Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-01-08
The Georgia 1farshafship.
Prom the N. Y. Times.


the Administration selects men to NIL I'M
portant federal positions in the South
Major Smyth' the gentleman who goes out
TO make room for the new appointee, Is
one of the best known and most respected
men in the State. He was a Union officer,
has done much to make Republicanism
respectable in the South, aud has never
been even charged with official misconduct.
In short, he was acceptable to respectable
men of both parties in Georgia, and was
only distasteful to the illicit distillers who
infest that State, and who had every rea-
son to fear arrest and Imprisonment so
long as he remained in office. But this
faithful officer was pronounced Republi-
can he has tried by every means in his
power to secure to the colored men the
rights which it is believed they would enjoy
under the Reconstruction acts and the
amendments to the National Constitution,
and because Of these things Senator's Cor
don and Hill determined that he should be
removed. When this fact became generally
known, Col. Allston, Democrat, who was
honorable and independent enough to de-
nounce many Of the methods by which his
party sought TO keep itself in power, APP
piled for the position. Holding such ad-
vanced views, and being, as was believed,
sincere TO them, Col. Allston was not op-
posed by the Republican leaders. Under
these circumstances he saw the President,
presented his application, talked, and was
talked to regarding reorganization Of
parties in the South, and then withdrew
firmly impressed with the idea that he
would receive the appointment in case of
Major Smyth's removal. But he was dis
appointed. Senator Hill was opposed to
him because he was too liberal, too much
liked by the Republicans. Senator Hill
saw the President and Col. Alls,on was
shortly afterward informed that he night
as well withdraw his application.
This occurred during the last week in
March and soon after it became generally
known throughout Georgia that the Illicit
distillery influence had combined against
Marshal Smyth, and that his removal
could not be long delayed. When this an
nouncement was made, Mr.. W. A Huff Of
Macon, appeared as prominent applicant
for the place. He was well known as
fair-minded Democrat, and he made no ef-
fort to conceal his politics At first he
was supported by both Senators Gorion
and Hill, and some weeks ago, as We are
assured. it was definitely determined that
he should be appointed. Not content with
the assurances 70 this effect which were
given him by his Democratic supporters,
however he ioolishly asked for the irdorSe.
ment of number Of well-known Repubi-
cans They gladly consented to aid him,
Tor be Oad long been recognized by all
parties IN Georgia as an honest and indie
pendent man. Hearing OF his action IN this
direction, Senator Gordon at once withdrew
his support from Mr. Huff, and asked the
President to reconsider his determination
TO appoint him. Hearing Of the attack
that was being made upon him, but hard
iy believing what he heard. Mr.. Huff
wrote to Senator Gordon, and, among 9TH
er things, asked the following rather start
ling questions: Does a Republican Adj
ministration ignore and despise Republi-
can Influences and must a man be slaugh-
tered as | have been because. forsooth,
be goes before the President with Repub-
lican Endorsements from mis- own people p
To this Senator Gordon replies in the fol-
lowing plain and, all things considered,
truly remarkable terms
Il Endorsed you under the firm belief
that you were Democrat, and would seek
the office as Democrat The apparent
inconsistency, therefore, Of being Endorsed
in Georgia as a, Democrat, and urged in
Washington for appointment as not
Democrat, but as proper party to build
up Republication in Georgia, left me no
alternative but to say TO the Presiden; that
l did not believe your appointment would
be acceptable to the people Of Georgia
These assurances seem 10 have been all
powerful with the President, for soon az
ter Senator Gordon's interview with him
there was a general understanding that
Huff was not to be appointed. Under the
circumstances, We can onl y assume that he
failed solely because he was supported by
some of the most respectable Republicans
and reputable gentlemen 10 Georgia. Up
on such grounds there can be no objection
to the gentleman who has been appointed
by the President. Mr. Fitzsimmons is an
ex-Coniederate soldier and a Southern
Democrat in the full sense of the term. He
is nephew Of that distinguished shotgun
leader Wade Hampton, and will never in
cur the displeasure of either Senator Hill
or Senator Gordon by placing himself in
the attitude of 20 proper party to build up
Republicanism in Georgia" He is the ap.
pointee of those gentlemen and Of Alex
ander II. Stephens and Wade Hampton.
The President gave him the place upon
their personal application, and there seems
to be no reason to doubt that he will serve
his patrons faithfully.
"A native Of Name, son OF the late Prof. Wm.
Smyth, Of BOwdoin College and an elder brother
0l Rev Newman Smyth, formerly of this city
Ed. WIG.
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HamptOn's Legislature.
A Report to the Senate Committee Prepar-