The Washington times., 1901-10-22
GOLD DEMOCRAT SELECTED.
George II. koester Appointed Col
lector for south Carolina


Iector for south CnroIiua.
President Roosevelt late yesterday ait
| arnoon, appointed Gold Democrat
George r. Rooster Of Columbia. collec-
| tHr of internal revenue for the District
of South Carolina. The position. fo@
which dozen prominent Republicans Of
the Palmetto State have been scrambling
| over since the death of f. a. Webster.
| the former incumbent. carries with it
more patronage than all the other Fed
crdl positions in,South Carolina combined
| The appointment of Mr.. Rooster, recon-
| mended by Senator McLaurin and en-
dorscd by prominent citizens of both
South and North Carolina. is regarded as
| n decided setback for the old line Repub-
| lican party of South Carolina. It's an
| nouncement in tlat State is expected to
have the effect of bombshsll inasmuch
| as Rooster. who is editor Of the 'Colum
| bia Record" had scarcely been men
TONED a candidate. BY securing the
position for Rooster. Senator McLaurin
has gained the whip nand of South Caro-
| lima Democracy. MIR. koester has been IL
Washington for several days, and his ap-
pointment was decided upon after a CON
ference between himself, Senator Nc
Laurin and President Roosevelt held on
lumbia last night.
Mr.. Rooster has never been radical in
his political views He is a native of
North Carolina. hut has lived in Column
hia for many years. He is compare
lively young man; one of the youngest
to ever hold the position Of collector OF
internal revenue. As a newspaper man
he has been a success. In the admins
tration of the office Mr.. Koester will fol-
low the policy established by the Presi-
dent in appointing him. There will be no
changes for purely political reasons. The
best men win be placed in the positions
at his disposal.
1t appears ;hat the collectorship IN
South Carolina has always been II
means of holding the negroes in line with
the Republican party. In such wise it is
highly instrumental in preserving the as
tendency for that party. Senator McLaur-
in heads the Democratic faction known as
the Commercials in that State and the
appointment of Mr.. Koester is regarded
as distinct victory for the faction
Two weeks ago the collectorship fight
was considered as good as settled Loom
is Blalock. it was then conceded. would
secure the appointment. Mr. Blalock had
the support of large faction of the Re
publican party and was even supported
by Senator McLaurin and Mr. Koester,
despite political differences Mr.. Blalocl
came to Washington and when his ap-
pointment seemed so certain he is alleged
to have INDUCED in a convivial celebra-
ton which proved his defeat. Reports Of
the South Carclinian's celebration reached
the ears of President Roosevelt and he
declined to appoint Blalock.
A ,f
licans, including John c. Capers. of the
Federal Court, designated national COM
mitteeman by Senator Hanna to fill the
vacancy caused by T.. A. Webster's death.
called upon the President and asked him
to reconsider his decision not to appoint
Blalock. Mr.. Roosevelt was obdurate
The name of Y. =. Clayton, of Columbia
was then brought forth. although Clay
which seems TO have possessed all the
Republicans who were mixed in the col
lectorship fight. said that he much pre-
ferred that Blalock be given the place. /
In the meantime a dozen other candt- !
dates were in the field and busily at wcrk. [
George II. Higgins was supported by E. |
H. DeaS. the negro leader of the ItepUb- |
lean party and Chairman of the State |
Central Republican Committee. Deas. /
after the death of Webster. was acting /
national committeeman until replaced by |
John G. Capers. District Attorney for I
South Carolina.
The old line Republicans became in |
censed at the selection of Capers, a con-
vert to Republican principles only since !
1896, as national committeeman. The !
State committee met and endorsed Hug
gins candidacy for the coIlectorship. The /
other candidates for the collectorship /
were e. ". Screvens, r. VI. Brayton. J. /
F. Jones, r. NJ. Wallace and E. II. Deas. /
About a week ago Senator McLaurin /
saw President Roosevelt in regard to the
situation. 1t Is said hat Mr. Roosevelt |
asked If there were any available Demo-
aEaNa#
ton for which the Republican party was
lighting, undisturbed by the thought that
the appointment might fall outside the
party. Senator McL1urin submitted the
names of Mr.. Koestsr and one other
South Carolina Democrat. He told the
President OF Mr.. Koesters attitude in
South Ca rolna politics. and Of the indC-
pendent policy of his paper, the ''Colum-
1ia Record" After due consideration the
President decided to make the appoint
uent.