Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-05
FROM THE GULF COAST.
Exodus OF Prominent Politicians
The Little GIant-A New Program
me PrObsbIe-HIcks and BIsbee-
Negro Politicians.

Negro Politicians.
OTTER CREEK, FLA, October 29-The Custom
House in Cedar Keys has been the headquar
ters of the Republican party for this part of
the State for several years. The appointees In
that department have been Republicans of
course, and some Of them active politicians.
All the caucusss Of the leaders Of the party to
perfect organization and plan campaigns
have been held here. Nominations, too, have
been virtually made here and subsequently
ratified publicly by complying with the forms
of a convention. The most prominent leader
and active worker, Mr.. Jacob Burkheim. re-
signed his position last spring in the custom
house. and has taken up his abode in Jackson
ville it is understood.
Perso ally have nothing to say detrimental
to this gentleman. for he certainly possesses
many excellent qualities of head and heart.
His mists ken sympathy for the negro often
made him appear very ridiculous, and led him
into errors that caused him trouble. For his
pains he received neither thanks nor remunera-
ton from his sable brethren l accord to him
what think is due him justly-sincerity. 1t
was mainly through his efforts that the party
organization was kept up while he here.
He was once a member of the State Senate,
and held other positions awarded him by his
patty He handles the scissors dexCerously,
and is to the manor born a tailor He now
plies his trade in the metropolis OF the
State, and trust will find it more lucrative to
him and less perplexing than that which at
tends the devious ways OF Republican politi
clan in Florida
George p Fowler, another prominent Re
publican leader, who has figured here for
several years as Deputy United States Marshal,
left rec ntly. 1 understand, for jacksonville
also. His wholesale arrests since our last
general election for alleged violation of the
ection laws has rendered him very odious to
the peopie of this part OF the State. He is
man of fine intellect, but unfortunately his
habits are bad in some respects. His name
was sent to the Senate by His Fraudulency r
Hayes for confirmation as Collector of st.
Marks district, but that body, not seeing the
point as did Mr. HAYES, respectfully decline d
to confirm. Chagrined it is thought, at this,
he determined that those who then held posi-
tion in the custom house should come
down and out Possessing the confidence Of
Col Bisbee. who had acquired more influence
at Washington than COnover, he effected
through that gentleman an entire change in
the appointments l presume this gave the
Judge much secret satisfaction. notwithstand-
ing The grapes were sour so far as he was per-
sonally concerned. He now goes to field
where. he thinks no doubt that the chances for
a Republican politician are better than in Levy
county, where he has met with no success
aparr from his position as Deputy Marshal.
The exit OF these men leaves the Republicans
here without leader-a thing not to be de-
pIored. It may be that Little Giant Dennis,
who residesin the county of Alachua adjacent,
will look after the interest OF his party here.
as he did before other party le ders assumed
that role. Less is said here about politics now
than at any time within my recollection
Every one seems to pursue his vocation regard
less of who rules or who may rule. The ms
are satisfied with their good fortune, and the
outs do not appear to envy them or aspire to
places that are already occupied. This lul in
the state or poltlcal 1eellng does not argue
that the strife between the parties in our State
has ended This calm BODIES a state of political
excitement almost. if not quite. equal to any
that we have witnessed heretofore
The Republicans will make desperate ef-
fort next fall to elect a representative to Con
ess Failing in that. as they most assuredly
will, an active campaign will be organized to
get possession again of the State government
in 1884 AS a standard bearer of that party
next year for Congress, it Is thought that the
Little Giant is the coming man. In the con-
vention hat nominated Bisbee. after Dennis
had been d, feated, he solemnly announced to
the convention that, let what might happen,
he would be a candidate at the next election.
Since that time he has been organizing in his
own interest. He is a good organizer and be-
cause Of that and other things he is more
dangerous opponent than Bisbee. Dennis diff
fars from that gentleman 10 that he INDUCES
in no vituperatiOn or abuse. Like Conover, he
has acquired the reputation Of being "a good
fellow" He reprr sents the Conservative
win, wing 9f his party; pI1y IL II "a any faction OF
iation. He has undouhted ability. and was
during the Radical administration. the power
behind the throne-furnishing the brains for
Stearus and his tlL-lustrious predecessors. To
the main chance, it is understood that he has
an eye ever watchful-caring more for his
pecuniary success than for the triumph of any
party. In Alachua county last election,
whether designed or not deponent saith not
he did the Democratic party good service
splitting his own party in twain, The election
of the Democratic members to the Legislature
resulted as a matter Of course. The stalwart
wing hates Dennis because he confessed how
that little act OF petty larceny was committed
in 1876 whereby the Ststa of Florida was stolen
for Hayes. Notwithstanding this. Dennis
can do what Bisbee cannot; he can unite upon
himself some of the BiSbee element, but Bisbee |
cannot compromise with the followers of Den
mis-. All the better class of cur people have |
become utterly disgu> ted with such rantng |
politicians as Bi-bY and Billy Hicks. whose only
recommendation consists in their ability to |
abuse honest people. Such men had their day
in Florida when they we're sheltered by the |
bayoUets Of the United Ststes army. Since we |
are no longer terrified by bav onets, these bab- |
blerS would be more welcome in some other |
latitude. Perhaps Bisbee might profit by the |
example set by Hicks. It might be difficult |
for him to 7nd pu pit that would receive him |
by his co-sgitator, who characteristics, |
has a color for every locality; albeit he might |
convert himself into a razor strap orator, and |
improvise a rostFum on the streets of Wash |
ington, where he could, while ostensibly plying |
his vocation as such, vent his spleen to bis |
beart's content against the Southern people |
who. in his es mation, are sinners above all |
sinners, because they are so peTverse as to alb |
solutely refuse him a seat In Congress- Hicks, |
under the specious guse of preaching the Cos |
pei, is dealing out fnvectives against q people |
should know that if such a charge is true, |
(Which 1 10 not doubO it was done, not because |
Of his honest political convictions. but bv rea- |
son of his disreputable associations l pitv |
a congregation whose taste is so depraved, |
religiously to demand the minstrations O. |
such a man. However, if the flavor suits them, |
we are perfectly willing that they should enjoy |
It,
Negro politicians do not abound in Florida
now. The white Republicans have driven them |
from the field and occupy every position Of hon
s.ns.,~ n
h 4ve acquired possession OF the State govern
ment, a few negroes have held positions as
route agents on the railroads, and some other /
insignificant places, until last year. Every Ona
that have any knowledge of has been diScharg-
and their p aces promptly filed by white Re-
Iuhlcans. The most intelligent negroes are
now afraid to accept any position Of profit. It
matters uot how well qualified and faithful
negro may be in the discharge of the duties of
office which he may chance to hold under
the government, he is pursued by his white
Radical brethren with charges Of infdelitv
and lncompetency, until he either resigns or
waits until he is arrested and imprisoned on
these trumped up charges. In case of his ar
rest. as soon as his successor is appointed and |
installed in Office, the prosecution Is withdrawn
and upon the prisoners discharge he finds him
self not only minus an office. but disqualified
for another This, as well as other manifesta-
tions of love for the negro, has caused his ar
dor for 'de publican party" to cool wonder
fully of late Prior to 1875, every negro
preacher was q prominent politician a capdi. |
which emanated his political creed, which was
Incorporated into his religion. If such II en- as
Grant, Purmsn, Stearnes. Conover. Dennis and
Hicks were not worshipe7, and their blessings
invoked, they were at least regarded as demi-
gods, and second only to their Saviour |
Their political meetings wera held Ia |
conjunction with their relic eiOus at least weekly
and sometimes Of ener. Quarterly the church
would meet at some common cantre and have
grand jubilee. at these meetings the high
priests Uuld communicate with them by letter
and make new revelations, which were always
read at night with closed doors and with heavy
guard stationed all around All this was neces-
sary to keep up the enthusiasm of the negro,
and the only way to appeal successfully to his
ignorance aud credulitv. But, alas what
wonderful change has come over the spirit OF
his dream. Tue high priests have ceased to
communicate unless ONCE is wanted by them;
their visits like angels, are but few and far
between; their orators, who used to regale him
with amszing flights of eloquence. are silent;
his political creed is no longer rehearsed with
his religious; his dark lantern meetings are
remembered as thing Of the past.
ss.M.
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