The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-15
OUR CONGRESSMEN.
HOW THEY STAND AS REGARDS BUT
LER AND TlLlMAN.

Some Interesting Gossip About South
Carolina Representatives in Congress-
Senators Butler and Irby Not In FAVOR
With President Cleveland.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8.-The first
chapter In the history of the political
events In South Csrolina,so far as they
are affected by what has been done or
Is doing in Washington, ends with the
close of the extra session, and we can
form somelopinion now as to the drift of
events. It has been known for some
time that one of the most important
factors In the next political contest in
that State would be the contest be-
tween Governor Tillman and Senator
Butler for the United States Senate,
and much Of that has been going on
here has had more or less bearing upon
that contest.
Senator Butler at the beginning Of
this Administration from his long SER
vice here and personal popularity had
very potential influence In securing
Offices for his friends, and these ap-
pointments we're made apparently
without regard to any influence upon
South Caroliau's politics. Senator Irby
does not seem to have succeeded In
making any favorable impression, and
his late course In practically allaying
himself with the most bitter opponents
of the Administration has, Of course,
destroyed any possibility of his doing
anything in the direction of getting
offices for his friends or partisans.
Since Senator Butler has caet in his
fortunes with the enemies of the Ad-
ministration on the silver question he
has naturally weakened the claim
which otherwise he would have had
upon 1t, and it is doubtful now wheth-
er he will secure the appointments to
Office of those whose principal claim
lies in the fact that they are partisans
of his and that their appointment
would promote his reelection, and as
that seemed to be the principal ground
upon which 1t was expected he would
secure the appointment of Mr.. Perry as
collector Of internal revenue the
chances of Mr.. Perry's appointment
seem to have very much diminished.
I think that in all appointments of
this nature it will be the policy Of the
Administration to put In Office men
whose fidelity to Democratic principles
as interpreted by the Democratic Ad-
mtnistration leaves no room for ques.
ton. In all such appointments 1t seems
likely that the opinion Of Congressman
Brawley will be most potential, as his
views on public questions are in thor
ough accord with those Of the Admin.
istration, and it cannot be charged
against b'm, as 1t has been against
many Va now stand by President
Cleveland. that his views have been
adopted for the purpose Of securing
public patronage, as he stands today
precisely upon the ground that he oc-
cupied long before the nomination or
election of President Cleveland. So
far as the chief public Offices are con.
cerned, therefore 1t appears to be Ger.
tain that the Administration will put
on guard none but Democrats Of un.
questionable Integrity, politically and
otherwise.
The attitude of the different mem
bers Of Congress from South Carolina
towards the Administration Is some
what complicated. It will be remem-
bered that early In the spring there
were several interviews between mem
bers of the delegation and the Post
master General on the subject Of the
postofice appointments. All of the
members of Congress from South Caro-.
lima participated In these interviews,
except Mr.. Brawley and Mr.. McLau'
rim, who were not present thereat. The
most determined fight seemed to be
against Mr.. Latimer, who. as the au-
thor of the May resolutions, seemed to
be a good target. OF all that has been
said and done with respect to the post
offices in his district it would probably
be impossible to tell the story. 1t was
found that q number of the men whom
be had recommended to Office were
charged with being Populists, but it
seems that the question as to his right
to control these appointments was
never finally settled against him until
within the last few weeks, when the
publication of his letter III the Colum
bia Register seems to have given him
a coup de grace.
Mr.. Strait seems to be practically in
the same boat, as MIR. Latimer and
himself seem to have taken occasion
more than once while in South Carroll
ma to proclaim their hostility to the
administration.
Mr.. Shell seems to have no difficulty
practically in securing the appoint
ments of such postmasters 10 his dis
trict as he has recommended. He has
adopted the policy generally Of recon-
mending parties who are acceptable TO
the communities to be served, and IN
all such cases his recommendations
have gone through without question,
and the same is true to large extent
with respect to Mr.. Talbert; and lately
1t appears that Mr.. McLaurin Is in the
same boat with the two last named
Congressman. Senator Butler has en-.
dorsed all the recommendations OF
Messrs. Shell, Talbert and McLaurin.
The appointment of Mr. Waddill as
postmaster of. Darlington has caused
q great deal Of comment here as it
seems to indicate some sort of an ali-
ance between senator Butler and Mr..
McIaurin but it may be that it has not
the Significance which has been given
to it. 1t is said that Waddill is now a
Butler man though originally a Till
mantle. AS 1t appears to an outsider,
however, it would seem that In so far
as the postofice appointments are con.
cerned there are some grounds for the
belief that there Is some understanding
of friendly nature. between Senator
Butler and Messrs. Shell, Talbert and
McLaurin. Time will show what this
amounts to. 1t is no longer a secret to
any one that Congressman Shell is an
active friend of Senator Buffers and
xn;n Ia oil arahohilitu ha ON his aide