Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-01-03


Hon. Emory Speer was appointed Uni
ted States District Attorney Tor lhe
Northern District Of Georgia since the
adjournment of the last Congress, ana
has not vet been confirmed by the senate
He has been in Washington for some
DAVIS visiting Mrs. Speer's family, ana Is
very impatiently waiting to see whether
or not his appointment will be fayorably
acted upon. Mr.. Speer is a young man OF
considerable ability as a lawyer, but as
politician his career, which began so full
of promise a few years ago, has proven
failure. With a liberal education and
excellent family connections, it was only
necessary for him to be patient and bide
his time TO become one OF the Leading
men of Georgia; but his ambition
got the better of his discretion,
and forsaking the straight and narrow
path of orthodox Democracy, he began to
barter and scheme with its opponents.
One intrigue lead to another, until finally
he became isolated from the party to
which he had professed allegiance. This
insured his defeat in the last election for
Congressman in tho Sinth District, when,
tempted 5y the hope Of lucrative posi-
ton, and influenced by disappointment
and chagrin, he threw himself bodily INTO
the camp of the enemy
His appointment as District Attorney
was not only salve to his wounded PRIDE
but an adhesive plaster to bind him to the
interests of the Republican party. There
was some vague hope at Washing
ton that he would be able to
command n sufficient following
to build up an opposition party in Georgia
| in the interests Of the Republicans and
modelled something after the similitude Of
| Nahoneism in Virginia. In this he has
completely failed so far, even If he mas
| had the temerity to attempt it, and the
fate of ADLER men who have tried that
pIan of combating the Democratic party
in Georgia would seem to be sufficient TO
warn him not to spend too much OF his
time. talents and money in that direction.
While in Washington Mr.. Speer mas
taken occasion to complain bitterly to the
correspondents of several Republican pa
pers about the manner in which he was
treated in South Carolina during the re-
cent political trials in that State. lie sad
he was not sorry when he was able to
leave South Carolina, though he was
willing to 90 back when necessary. Dur
ing the progress of the trials he says an
attorney for the defendants, in the course
of a speech. said that ''the hounds sent
down to prosecute the good people OF
South Carolina with sweep of the hand
towards Speer, ''would be lucky if they
got out of the State with nothing worse
than broken heads" He further says, 81
got away without a broken head, and
was happy when 1 crossed the borders OF
South Carolina and got back into the
| United States"
He is not at all pleased with the report
that Senators Butler and Hampton are
working hard to have him rejected.
So far as Mr.. Speer's qualifications for
the office are concerned, he is doubtless
fully up to the average of Federal district
attorneys in the South, but his partisan
and unfair conduct in the South Carolina
cases laid him open to Just censure, which
NAV vet cost him his place. A distinguish
ed Georgian remarked four or five years
ago that Emory Speer was right smart
Young man, but she was plucked before
he was ripe" and his subsequent career
has justified the judgment.
Whether he is confirmed or not he has
the melancholy satisfaction Of knowing
that he has alienated the better people of
his State.