Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-02-04
SOME APPOINTMENTS.
THE QUESTION OF CoNFIRMA-
TIONS.
Anxiety OF Southern Republicans-Somc
Typical Appointments.


the United States Senate in regard to the
Presidents appointments with great
deaf Of interest The offices in the South,
with few exceptions, are now filled by
Democrats. The majority of the Repub-
licans removed were Union soldiers who
settled in the South at the close of the
war. They were the first to go-on the
alleged ground of offensive partisanship.
1t is worthy of remark that much as has
been said in the Democratic newspapers
in the past in disparagement of the Re
publicans holding Office in the South, the
Administration has not discovered any
thing wrong in their official records
General Burke, who resigned" as Col
lector at Mobile, Ala, received letter
last week from the Treasury Department
stating that an investigation of his ac-
counts for the five years he was in office
showed that the Government owed him
$G7. The truth is, that while there were
perhaps some black sheep in the flock,
the late Federal officials in the South
would compare favorably with those Of
the State Governments, or with their sue
cessors, or with any other similar class Of
officials elsewhere in the country. They
did not expect to retain Office under an
Administration which came into power
as the result of the suppression Of Repub
lican votes in the South; but they do ex-
pect, in common with the other members
of the party that the United States Sen.
ate WILL whenever it has opportunity,
distinctly set the seal of its dsapproval
on such election methods. 1t is for this
purpose that the Republicans of this sec
ton are now watching with such anxiety
the action of the Senate on nominations
of men VIGOROUSLY and openly connected
with these election frauds.
For instance, in place of very rcputa-
ble man removed as postmaster at Match
ez, Miss, the President appointed Rich
ard Holmes, for many years chairman of
the Democratic Committee of Adams
county. That county has Republican
majority of 1000, which, under the meth
DDS approved by Mr.. Holmes, was turned
into Democratic majority of 354. 1t is
matter of proof that Mr.. Holmes at the
last Congressional election declared that
the Republican majority of 1000 must be
cut down to at least 600, though at pre-
vious election it had been completely
overturned; and he directed the abolition
Of precincts and the adoption. of the usuI
al Mississippi methods 70 carry out that
purpose. In Meridian, Colonel j. j.
Shannon, who was convicted of criminal
conspiracy in depriving colored men Of
their right to vote, has been appointed
postmaster in place Of W. NJ. Hancock.
Mr.. Shelley, who secured a pretended
election to Congress by such methods in
Alabama, and was turned out even by a
Democratic House, has been nominated
Fourth Auditor of the Treasury. Mr.,
Richardson, who was leader in the
Ellington riots, has been appointed Col,
lector at Beaufort, S. G.. Another man
of the same kind, Leroy f. Youmans,
who was concerned also in the cipher
conspiracy, has been appointed United
States Attorney for South Carolina. John
Goode, of tissue ballot frauds in Virginia,
was made Solicitor General. +. W. Book
er, who has been appointed Collector of
Internal Revenue ip Alabama, and his
deputy, were both notorious ballot-b box
suffers. Mr.. Jordan. appointed Receiver
of Public Moneys in Alabama, is said to
have been indicted for his election work,
and there are numerous other cases Of the
kind.
Some of the appointments in the South
have been of men known as fair Demo
Gratis, such, for instance, as Marshall AL
len in Alabama and Postmaster Buck in
New Orleans, and against such men the
Republicans say nothing, although good
men have been removed to make places
for them in violation of the President S
Civil Service Reform professions But it
is Il matter of great Importance to the
Southern Republicans whether or not the
meC concerned in the election frauds are
to be rewarded by Federal offices. In the
Senate rejects them it will have beneti-
clal effect in deterring others from en-,
gaging in such work II they are con
firmed then premium will be continual.
" placed on the manipulation of the bal.
Jt.boxcs.
A case that well illustrates these noto-
rious appointments is that of William
Groome, nominated for postmaster of
this city. The Vicksburg postoflice is the
best paying office in the State. If a man
connected with the outrageous frauds
which have turned Republican majori
" of 1000 in this county into one OF
1900 for the Democrats is confirmed
postmaster here, then the Republicans, of
whom there are many among the leading
citizens, will consider themselves prac
,ioally abandoned. Mr.. Groome was ap
pointed postmaster at the solicitation OF
General CatchingS, Il Bourbon Democrat
who holds a seat in Congress by a pre-
tended majority of $500 in district thai
has majority of about $4,000 coloret
voters. Mr.. Groomc is one of the pro
prictors of The Commercial Herald, which
is one of the most intolerant Democratic
papers in the State, and he has avowet
his approval and joint responsibility fol
its utirrances. \ few extracts from ii
columns will show the character of tht
man Mr. Cleveland has nominated for thu
principal Federal Office in the State. Tn
Commercial Herald applauded and de
Tended the assassination of Print Mat
ihcws IN Copiah county, although Presi
dent Cleveland suspended Mr.. Meade, ap
pointed postmaster at Hazelhurst, because
of his connection with the murder, Thi
is what Mr. Groomes paper said;
The shedding of humon blood is al
ways to be deplored, but the killing o
Print Matthew'S of Copiah county, tn
other day, is not an event calculated t
excite any regret outside of his immediat
family circle. The killing of Matthew
at any time in the past dozen years wOul
have occlsionel no surprise and regret
1t is possible that the fate which has q
las, overtaken him may serve as warn
ing to others, who, like him, are incline
TO unbridled license. The msn who urge
others To deeds of lawleSs violence is SURF
soon or later, To meet the death he merit
and whether he meets it at the hands
H. -