The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-10-10
ROOSEVELT STIRS
UP BARNACLES
Office Lovers DiSgrmtled
and Appeal to Hanna
In Vain
fBy Associated Press.l


Washington, oct. 9.-President
Roosevelt means business with his
plan to secure political reform in the
southern states. He is going ahead
making appointments to federal Of
fees in that region on the principle
of getting the best man. without mucn
regard TO his party affiliations. This
has become well understood that
the old line Republican politicians in
various southern states are already
mp in arms They protest violently
against having their old picklngs TAX
en- away from them. They complain
Bitterly against what they regard as
the injustice involved in the appoint
ment OF Democrats to federal offices.
These old organization men OF pro
fessional politicians have appealed to
Senator Hanna fol help. They have
asked him as the official head Of the
party, as chairman Of the national
committee. to aid them in retaining
their rights. But Senator Hanna
has turned a deaf ear to their plants.
He has declined to interfere. Upon
this score he and President Roosevelt
have an understanding Practical
politics will not be permitted to stop
the wheels of the proposed reform.
Mutterings of yengence in the next
Republican national convention will
not deter anyone who has his heart in
this new movement, President Roose-
welt least Of all.
It is safe to say that the halcyon
days OF professional politics in the
rotten boroughs of the south--the era
of swapping delegates who represent
nothing for fat federal offices-are
drawing TO a close. No one expects
that this system can be overturned
In q minute It will take time. But
there can be no doubt that President
Roosevelt has entered upon this work
of reformation in a spirit OF great
earnestness and determination, and
that he will followe II up as rapidly
and energetically as circumstances
permit, regardless OF the possible
menace to his own interests in 1904.
The president has no rosy dreams
as to the immediate political effect
of the new policy. He does not reck-
on upon any sudden revolution. If
any southern state gives electoral
votes to the Republican party three
years hence he viii be agreeably sur
prised. That is not the question az
all There is a great desire to break
up the solid south, but not primarily
for the votes involved in the disin-
tegration. The main thing is to Sc
cure a more wholesome political con
'dition In that section of the country;
10 give southern men of intelligence
and patriotic feeling a chance TO ex-
press themselves on national issues
TO free them from the intolerable con
dition now existing, a condition which
subordinates every question Of public
importance to traditional race pref
udice. the nigger-domination buga-
boo. It Is believed by the president
and those who advise with him that
once the wedge is driven in. once the
best people of the south are convinc-
ed they are to be treated fairly, that
the danger which they have feared and
exaggerated has wholly disappeared,
the ratioualizing process win go on in
a natural way. leading to good results.
Several southern appointments
which the president must coon make
viii give aim ample opportunity 10
demonstrate the sincerity OF his pur-
pose There is vacancy on the fed
erai bench ia the middle district of
Alabama. and it is likely to be filed
by the appointment of Judge Anthony
70, Sayors OF the city court of Mont
gomery. Judge sayers is a Democrat,
and has not been suspected Of any
Republican leaaings But he will be
invited to take his place II no worthy
Republican can be found in the dis
frict