The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-20
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
The Republican Party in the South.

To the Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal
If the leadership of the Republican party
in the other Southern States is no better
than it is in Alabama, it is not hard to I'M
derstand why the party has made no greater
progress there in winning public confidence,
and therefore votes. A recent trip to Ala
bama gave me an opportunity to see and
learn some things which surprised me. The
real situation, l am sure, is not known at
Washington, or it would not continue to
exist. In talking with many of the
old planters, and coming in con-
tact with the agricultural classes
of all parties, and especially
Democrats, I learned that they were very
greatly dissatisfied with their own State
management and administration of State af-
fairs. The agricultural interests are largely
tabooed, though it pays the larger share of
the public burdens, and heard abundant
expressions OF disgust st Democratic State
management by sturdy Democrats among the
agricultural population. 1t is plain enough
that if this element was not repealed by
would readily change party DOM
inence in the State. But the
Republican party is represented among the
people there by the Federal officeholders,
and they are, for the most part, a bad lot
SO bad that such honorable and well-known
Republicans as Judge Rice, of Montgomery,
ex-Chief Justice of the State, and at the head
of the bar to-day Ex-Governor Smith, of
Birmingham, and Ex-Governor Lewis, and
that class. cannot afford to participate in
party affairs with the Federal appointees,
who, by reason of their position, manage
party matters Ex-Governor Lewis be-
came so disguised that he retired
oil to- 81. Id L.
declared that he would not be driven out,
but would in his own way fight the corrupt
gang within the party till the situation was
better understood at Washington. 1t is
quite enough to say on this point that of the
score or more indictments returned at the
late session of the United States Court at
Montgomery, all were against Federal Office
holders but four, for fraud and NAL
feasance in Office. From all l could learn,
they nearly all belong to the ex-senator Spen-
Ger gang, who was lately lodging about the
United States and Canada, to avoid the star
route trials.
These Federal party manipulators, just by
reason of their position, have the confidence
of the masses of the colored voters, and sway
them; but they forfeit the confidence of those
who are ready for better State government,
and hence the continued Republican MINOR
ity.
The accessions to the party there must
come from the intelligent agricultural popu-
lation, and it never will while the existent
state of things prevails Mere adventures
and scheming tricksters will never win it.
If the Federal officeholders now indicted do
not vocate their offices by service IN State
prisons then the administration at Washing
ton ought to take a note OF the situation and
make the necessary changes. / talked with
gentlemen who know the situation we'll, and
as have stated it, and who are fearless and
honest citizens and Republicans. They are
hiding their time No one can know the
influence of the Federal officeholders among
the eolored masses till they visit among the
people there. The true solution OF Repub-
hcanism there is integrity in the Federal
offices-men who will gain and hold inteili-
gent public confidence-and the balance will
readily follow. JOHN B. CONNER.
INDIANAPOLIS, June 10.