The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-20
The Southern Republicans Confer.
The Leaders of the Victorious
Party Survey the Field.
The Spoils of tho Next Administra-
ton the Attraction.
Malone and Houk the Central
Figures Of the Meoting.
A Committee Representing tho Southern
statos Appointed TO Devise Plan
OF Action as to the South
Cabinet Tattle.

| Special Dispatch 10 The Appeal.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. Having deter
mined to take hand in the game that
will begin on the 4th OF March, the
Southern Republicans, or, at least, SO
many OF them as happened to be present
in the city, met in conference last night
at the headquarters Of the National
League, with a view OF quietly stacking
the cards on tho Presdent-elect. There
were some hundred or more Of them
present. every Southern State being rep.
resented except Texas. The reason why
so many prominent Republicans from the
South happened" TO be in the city at
the same time is probably due to the
fact that ex-senator Malone OF Virginia,
and Mr.. lIouk, OF Tennessee, have been
busily engaged during the past fortnight
in urging by mail and wire the leaders Of
the party in that section to be present
Gen. Russell, of North Carolina. was
called TO the chair, and he stated that the
object OF the meeting was to reach, II pos.
sible, some understanding rs TO the guam
tity and quality Of the representation that
the South was entitled to have in the
next Cabinet. After good deal OF
informal talk a committee of five.
and composed of Messrs. McComas,
Of Maryland; Houk. Of Tennessee; Finley,
Of Kentucky; Russell, OF North Carolina,
and Bowen, of Virginia, was appointed
to communicate with the leading Repub-
Leans OF the South in order TO get their
opinion as to who should represent the
South in the Cabinet and at the proper
tune 10 memoralize Mr.. Harrison ON the
subject.
Mr.. McComas, Of Maryland, then moved
that the committee bo Instructed in addi-
ton 10 gather opinions upon the nature OF
the policy that IL was thought best Mr..
Harrison should pursue toward the South.
This was agreed to without any trouble.
At this Gen. Sypher moved that inas-
much a. none OF the Gulf States were
represented on the committee the name
OF Mr, X. Dudley Coleman, Of Louisiana,
be added TO IL.
Mr.. IIouk, Who was tho beading spirit Of
the evening, says that when lao was writ
ing TO other Republicans he addressed
communication 10 Mr.. Coleman, who,
much TO his (IIouk's) surprise had "dc-
clincd' not only TO b. present but 10 as-
socate himself with the movement in any
way whatsoever. Mr.. llouk proceeded 10
insinuale, although hc did not say 10
directly, that from all he could gather Mr..
Colcman's Republicanism was not above
question, and that he would therefore.
oppose the motion.
Gen. Syphcr replied that he could guar
antce Mr.. Coleman as n straight party
man; that he WIS elected "A Republican
on Republican platform aud by Rcpub.
lican votes, aud that the Gulf States should
have representation. He therefore insisted
on his motion, but he was beaten bya vote
OF 2to I.
II now become apparent that Gen. Ma
homes friends had control of the meeting |
and were running IL 10 suit themselves. |
All Of the committee chosen, with the cx. |
ccption Of possibly Finley, were champions
Of the little Nirginian. llouk especially be-
ing strong advocate OF his. Mr.. Finley see
ing how things were going, moved that all
the Republican membors-clect Of the Fifty
iipt Congress should b, put on the com.
miitec together with the National Com.
Initteeman OF such Southern States ~
would have no Republican Congressman.
This motion was also voted down.
whoeupon Mr.. Finly declined 10 serve one
The committee. This lott the committee
Of four. An informal talk
was then had ~ 10 the cabinet
Jihcial, and tho names Of Malone Of
Virginia, GofT, Of West Virginia, Buck, OF
Georgia, Russell, of North Carolina; Nor
,Jn Of Louisiana, and Clayton, Of Arkau-
Ms, were among those mentioned. There
A l. a a 1
sind Of man should be chosen, whether
lifetime kopublican Ike Coil, or re-
'ont acquisition like Malone, or carpet
jaggcr Ike Clayton.
oct, however, aud the conference adj
ourned, subject to the call Of tho prcsid-
no olipsr