The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-25
HAMPTON ON THE FUTURE.
The General Sees Possible Secession
of the West From the East.

of the West From the East.
From the Salt Lake Utah) Herald, July Z.
Gen. Wade Hampton, United States rail-
way commissioner, arrived in the city yes
terday from Denver, accompanied by his
daughter, Miss Mary E. Hampton, Miss
Herndon, and c. A. Calhoun. The noted
ex-confederate commander is government
commissioner for the five subsidized rail-
ways of the west. He makes an annual
tour over the five systems, as well as an
inspection of the books of the companies,
in order to see that the amounts due the
government for interest are paid. The
general was appointed to his present po-
sition by ex-President Cleveland, and
agrees in the main with Mr.. Cleveland in
his financial views. He is on his last
official tour, as it is understood, and, in
fact, the general said, that Gen. Long
street, a Georgia republican, would be ap-
pointed to succeed him.
Gen. Hampton has very decided views on
the political situation of the present time,
and Is an ardent Cleveland democrat. He
is typical southern gentleman, and says
that the present unhappy business and
financial state of the country, If not
checked, may ultimately lead to a political
separation of the west from the east, or,
in other words, that the west may secede.
says, depends on the south. The southern
people are the only homogeneous people
on this continent. They are native-born
Americans, who love America and are not
controlled by foreign nationalities, like
New York is by the Irish, and other
places by Germans and other nationalties,
who cling to the land of their nativity
rather than to the country where they live.
Gen. Hampton believes in restricting i'm
migration and is very indignant at the idea
of making this country a dumping ground
for the refuse Of Europe. He says even
the republican leaders realize the danger
to American institutions from this class
of citizens, and he is of the opinion that
no foreigner should be allowed to vote IN
til he has resided in the United States
twenty-one years.
Referring to the dissatisfaction and I'M
rest which characterize the present times,
the general said that the trusts and exor-
bitant tariff had created great dissatisfac-
ton. A large portion OF the couRty has
been imposed upon, and in California
threats of secession have been made. The
time is coming when the west will have
greater population that the east and It
will be hard, he says, to keep so large
country together If the feeling Of discon-
tent continues to increase.
Il don't think, however" said the gen
eral, there Is any danger of trouble now.
Cotton mills are going south, and the num-
Der of mills are increasing wonderfully.
Although there has been a systematic dis
elimination on the part of congress against
the west and south, We are trying to forge
along and bear the burden without com
plant. The removal Of the manufacturing
supremacy of the east to the south may
be one of the means by which the country
may be saved. Mills OF South Carolina
are now underselling the mills OF the east,
and eastern manufacturers are awaken
ing to the danger. During the war Of
Japan against China one Of the mills Of
South Carolina received an order for 100.-
600 yards of tent cloth. The factory was
able to supply only 5000 yards, but to-day
it is sending cloth to Japan and China in
competition with other factories of the
world 1t Is not necessary 10 compress the
cotton when IL is sent to the mills near
home, and thus the fibre Is not injured.
Then the southern mills can run all the
year round, and labor is plentiful and
cheap. The high tariff on machinery is
an enormous injustice TO the south, and
also TO the west I cannot see how the
people can be benefited by high taxes"
Concerning the political outlook Gen.
Hampton detained all pretense to being
a prophet. but ventured the opinion that
IL high tariff brings prosperity the repub-
lcan party will win the next presidential
election, but II the promised good times
fail 20 materiallze the combination OF
democrats populatss ana silver republicans
Will carry the day. The democratic party,
he said, lost seven states at the late cleo
ton by declaring for free silver and put
ting what the general called undemocratic
planks in the platform. The criticism OF
the supreme court and the challenge OF
the right OF the President TO call out
troops were, In his opinion, not democratic
doctrines. as he holds that the President
has not only the right 10 call out the
troops, but II is his duty 20 do so on an
occasion such as caused President Cleve-
land 10 take that course.
The general Is opposed to the govern
ment ownership Of railways. and In regard
20 the Union Pacific Is OF the opinion that
something must be done 10 effect a set
Element OF the affairs Of that road very
soon. but he does not approve OF the gov
eminent taking over the road. II Il ala 80.
he thinks, the rates OF transportation
would be higher than they are to-day. Gov
eminent ownership might be all right IN
an autocratic country like Russia, but
would never do In democratic country
like ours The government could gain pos
session Of the Union Pacific oaly BY pay
ing the FIRST mortgage bonds, which would
require an enormous sum Of money. The
governments claim is only q second mort
gage.