The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-08
JOHN G. BLIi"'s AProiA IMEYT.
1t Creates stir Among the Republicans
In Mn.hIncion.

WASHINGTON. ID. G.. May Especial.
Tho announcement OF the appointment of
Mr. John c. Blair. OF Wythcville Assist
ant United States District Attorney for
tho Western District OF Virginia, which
was announced in Thursdays Times.
ahead OF its being known here, was an
astonishing surprise TO the Virginia Re
publicans in Washington 10 both priests
and lavmen. 10 some Of the leaders 1t
was dumfoundlns. They refused 10 be-
Iieve II. il was On impossibility: why no
ono recommended him" II was another
nrwspaper fake. - impossible as its an
ncuncement was absurd
Inquiries from some OF the officials OF
tba Department OF Justice here failed to
either disprovc or affirm the statement.
saw the appointment clerk OF the de-
nartment this Afternoon. Iie admitted
that the appointment had been made, but
nosltively declined TO say anything else
about IT, Tho ascertainmont OF the fact
that not a scrap Of paper was on file at
the department only served to enhance
the mystery.
The Solicitor General did not even know
that the appointment had been made the
private secretary to the Attorney-General
was not in the secret. No one seeemed
10 know anything about tho matter, but
the appointment clerk and the Attorney
General. The Virginia Republican lead
ers had made no recommendations, ana
knew Absolutely nothing about II.
with General Walker 7 called again at
the Dcpartment Of Justice He saw the
Attorney-General. and was given the
facts I'm the case. The appointment. 1t
seems. was made az the request OF Judge
Gon. of West Virginia. and without con-
sultation. with no reference 10 either
General Walker. the representative fIom
tho Ninth virginia District. or any OF the
Republican leaders I'm the State. Captain
+. s. Blair Attorney General of Virginia
under the Rcadjuster regime. was here
about the time The appointment was
made and the presumption is that he got
his work in on the quiet.
ut is a bitter bighung frost TO tho
Virginia Republican leaders" said a Vir-
ginla Republican. and an appointment OF
which only only an intimation OF before
the St. Louis Convention would have cost
Mr.. Mckinley two votes in the conyen-
tion.
It IS putting 70 mildly 70 say that sur
prise not unmixcd with Indignation IS the
prevailing sentiment among Republicans
here. The leaders OF the State organiza-
ton. several ~ whom are now in the city
beyond expressing some indignant sur-
prise have little TO say. they feel con-
yinced there is some mistake. and will
see the President and Attorney-General
tomorrow.
70 General Walker the appointment IS
particularly distasteful. He had been
convinced that no change Of this char
acter was contemplated by the Depart
ment Of Justice at this time, and feels
that snap judgment has been taken on
him I'm this case The appointee IS resi-
dent Of his home town. but has in the
recent past made himself personally and
politically offensive to General Walker.
I Informed the Attorney-General this
afternoon Of his feeling In the matter.
and he will undoubtedly see the President
about II tomorrow
In the meantime Mr. Blair has qualified,
and It is hardly probable that the Depart
ment Of Justice will reverse action.
General Walker saw the President to-
day. and had quite a lengthy talk about
Federal appointments for Virginia. He
strongly urged Mr.. Hodge for Deputy
Auditor Of the Treasury; Mr.. Kent for
Minister 20 Corea. and Mr. J. j. Alley for
Indian Commissioner. The President.
however. gave no intimatiOn Of his in
tention Of giving ether one Of the ap-
pontments TO Virginia.
Colonel J. Hampton Hoge who has
been here for q day or two looking after
his interest I'm the attorncyship for the
Western District Of Virginia. will return
home this evening. Colonel Toge is I'm
thorough accord with the leaders of his
party. and has made a fine impression at
the Department Of Justice.