The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-02
Southern Appointments.

The impression prevailed soon after Pres
ident Harrison was elected that he intended
to make an effort to build up the Republi-
can party in the south. This impression
was strengthened when he said in his inau-
| gural address that he had rejected the sug-
| gestion of an executive policy for the south.
! There has been, and still is, considerable
/ speculation respecting the means he pro-
poses to adopt to build up southern Repub-
lican party. 1t was thought that he in
| tended to get out of the old ruts in the
matter of appointments, and would fill the
offices with new men having sufficient in
fuence in their respective communities to
draw to the Republican party a considera-
bic white following.
If he had any such purpose he seems to
have abandoned it. The appointments thus
far made justify the conclusion that he is
going to follow in the footsteps Of his re-
publican predecessors. He is giving the
offices to those who held them when Mr..
Hayes or Mr.. Arthur was President. So far
as the federal officers are concerned it looks
as if the condition of affairs in the south
would be about the same as it was before
Mr.. Cleveland became President.
There is no intention to protest against
the return of the old republican office-hold-
ers to Office. If the President is satisfied
with them protest from the democrats
would not be needed. He need not expect
however, that they will strengthen his party
in the south. They have had fair trial
and have accomplished nothing in that
Il IL =. G..
not accomplish anything so far as building
up their party is concerned during the next
four years. They desire to enjoy their
offices, and will hardly make an effort even
to organize their party.
1t may be said that the President cannot
get representative southern men to accept
office under his administration. Has he
tried to get theml Where are the protec-
tionists who, as some of the republican
leaders think, are only waiting for favor
able opportunity to unite with the Repub-
lican party! Where are the old wings
who, according to the Birmingham, Ala,
protectionists, are anxious to take hold Of
the Republican party by the boot straps,
as it were, and lift it into prominence and
influence? Has the President asked any Of
them to accept an officel If he has
not he cannot say whether or not they
are willing to assist him in making the Re-
publican party in the southern states re-
spectacle in organization and numbers.
If the President does nothing to encour-
age and strengthen his party in the south,
he ought not to be disappointed if it re-
mains in the same moribund condition in
which it has been for years. Neither he
nor the leaders Of his party should hold the
southern democrats responsible for its con-
dirion. They should place the blame where
it belongs, viz, upon themselves.
Perhaps, as the MORNING NEWS has al
ready suggested, their intention is to keep
their party in the south in its present I'M
organized state for the purpose of making
the north republican. They may think it
the wiser plan to consolidate the north than
to split the south. Unless the President
shows some Indications of a purpose to
assist his party in the south it will be fair
to assume that he and his advisers have
adopted this plan.