Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-08-06
WADE HAMPTON TALKS
ON THE INDUSTRY AND POLL
TICS OF HIS SECTION.
Tlden No Longer Strong in the south
Mcdonald Well Liked, but Bayard the
Strongest Nan-ButIer Ruled Out
The Tarsse

Strongest Man-Butler Ruled Out
The Tariff Issue.
General Wade Hampton. of South Caro-
lima. broke his journey from Cape May 10
New York, as he himself expressed il, by
resting in Philadelphia. The
distinguished SOutherner registered at
the Girard early in the evening, and soon
after received numerous callers. he mas
materially aged since he was the leader OF
the famous Black Horse Cavalry during
the late war. His Burnside whlskers,
which were then jet black, are now al
most white with the frosts of years, and
he is in appearance a striking reminder
of the pictures l have seen OF En-
perOr William of Germany. He
looks well and speaks of his health as ex-
ceedingly good. He walks without
crutches now. and YOU would hardly
know that he had lost a leg so well does
he get along upon his wooden substitute.
Ii seems the irony of fate, indeed, that he
should have passed through four years Of
desperate war without a scratch, leading
the most famous cavalry command IN the
South. and then lose his leg, and nearly
his life. by the kick Of mule. Truly
there are accidents of peace, as well as
Of war.
The South is prospecting wonderfully,
said he, after greeting me cordially and
leading the way to a seat on the sofa.
I'VE are getting new manufactures con-
stantly."
what kind:"
MOSTLY cotton mills. Last winter the
legislature of South Carolina chartered
several new companies, having an aggre-
gate capital Of nearly million and half
OF dollars. You would hardly believe how
rapidly all our industries are improving
How are the mills at GraniteVllle
dOing:''
''Splendidly. | think every cotton mill
in South Carolina Is earning big dividends,
with possibly the single exception OF the
one in Charleston"
Does this boom in manufacturing
create a feeling favorable 10 the protec-
tive tariff -
Il think not. The feeling Of our people
upon the tariff question is that, having
cheap and good labor at home, and the
cotton practically at the door of the mills,
they can compete with anyone. They are,
therefore. not in favor Of high protective
tariff. nor are they in favor of free trade.
Nv own position upon that question Is
that there should be gradual revision Of
the tariff. keeping in view the business
interests OF the country and the necessi-
ties of such industries as need protection
10 enable them 10 reach a substantial
basis. No man in the South that | know
question that will rob any American in
dustry OF such protection as it really
needs. Certainly no man in South Caro-
lima Is.
Would your constituency be in favor
of making the tariff questioned an issue
between the two great parties in the COM
ing Congress, and in the national contest
of next year,
Not to the extent Of advocating free
I s,,,1 I'd
think they would. Your Democratic Con-
yention. held this present week, adopted
a very well-tempered plank in their
platform upon tariff question. | think II
very we'll timed. was rather surprised
that a Pennsylvania convention would
deal so equitably. or / might say cOnser-
yatively. upon that question"
You expect il then to be made an issue
in the coming political contests between
the Republican and Democratic partles!7
Il think there is no doubt Of II. Tariff
revision Is popular idea with the Deuce
racY. But not tree trade. The south has
too many growing industries TO be IN
favor Of striking down the tariff and alb
sOlutely opening the doors to foreign COM
D .titiOn. Our mining and manufacturing
in erests. YOU know, are but in their III
fancy. and we must have an equitable
protection for Them
Are your l6Dplc CDHttHtbU uuNcA luc
present conditions"
sour people are prospecting. They are
building up the waste places with Won
derful rapidity. The relations between
the blacks and whites are satisfactory.
The cOlored people, "a well as the whites,
aIe accommodating something. Many Of
the negroes are getting property. buyiRg
little homes and improving them. As
they do, they are becoming better citi-
Zens. interested in preserving the peace
ard in Furnishing crime. doubt whether
their labor has improved, and II is prob
lem whether il ever will. But they are
improving, and time and opportunity may
correct everything that needs correction"
Are your people much interested in
politics:"
Il am glad to say they are not. They
are now simply attending TO their busl-
ness and trying TO improve their material
condition. We have had altogether too
much OF politics. Elections naturally
create frictiOns and resentments that 1t
takes time TO mend. / wish we had fewer
Of them. have always favored extend
Ing the Presidential tenn, SO as TO bring
contests farther apart, and | would apply
the same rule to state and even county
politics.
Would the old ticket of Tilden and
Hendricks find favor in your sectiOn?'
1t would not. Mr.. Tilden is no longer
strong in the South If he had been re-
nominated at the last election he would
have polled the entire party vote. There
was then a feeling that he was entitled to
consideration. That sentiment has died
out. and there is no call for the old ticket
from the Southern States that l have been
able to find
would Mcdonald be a strong candi-
date with your
sOur people like Mr.. Mcdonald very
we'll. He has many friends in the south
and his position upon many national
questions suits our people. but he is by
no means our strongest candidate
''WhO is:''
Senator Bayard, of Delaware. He has
a strong hold upon the affections of our
people and would be the strongest candi-
date with US that could be nominated.
He defended the South with great power,
when she needed friends, and besides
that. he is sound upon all national ques-
tions that are the foundation Of our pros
perity. | believe he would be the strong
est candidate for the Democracy, North
as well as South. He has ever been con-
sistent and true upon financial questions,
and he represents a conservative idea
upon the tariff issue. He is a broad
gauge man throughout, and would bring
brains. dignity and the highest character
to the Presidential office. l believe he
could poll a larger vote than any man we
could nominate
Would Governor Butler, Of Massachu-
sets. have any standing as a Presidential
candidate in the SOUTH
Il think not. Our people do not con-
slider him as a possibility. They are look
ing forward to the nomination Of a clean
conservative statesman. / have no doubt
but that he could poll many Republican
votes. but be could not command the full
Democratic support"
.'Do you look for an interesting session
Of Congress when you shall meet in De-
cember:"
NO doubt we will have very interest
ing session. There are many important
questions to be passed upon. There is
the reciprocity treaty Of Mexico to be dis
posed Of. That is an important matter. |
met the Commissioners, General Grant,
Mr.. Prescott and the Mexican Minister,
and had an interesting talk upon this
question. l was quite impressed with 1t.
have heard no expression of opinion for
or against il in the South, and, OF course,
cannot indicate the probable action of the
Senate thereon"
"Was this the first time yOn had ever
met Gen. Grant,"
4 never met him until about year or
more ago, when | came over here to dine
with Mr.. George w. Childs. l must say
was very much surprised at the CONVEX
sationaI powers he displayed. He is a
splendid taIker, and | was very much in
terested in his account OF MS travels
abroad. | confess | found none of that
reticence and want Of ability TO express
himself that l had heard so much about
fra most fifteen wears. | found