The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-31
new DISTRICT ATTORNEY
TAKES CHARGE OF OFFICE.
Capt. capers Talks Freely and
Frankly About His Appointment
and Senator McLaurin's
Aid Thereto.
Special to The State.

CharleSJOn, July Z%.-OtSIIiC9 AZ
torney John G. Cape1s arrived here
today from Washington and took the
oath of Office before Judge Brawley.
The new district attorney and Mr..
Abial Lathnrop, whom Mr.. Capers
succeeds, have been acquainted for
years and the greeting between the
new and old official were cordial and
pleasant. Mr.. Capers was asked about
the proposed changes in the personnel
of the assistant district attorneys and
clerks of the Office. He said that no
changes will be made Immediately. 1t
is said that T. B. Butler of Gafney,
and former Assistant Attorney General
C. P. Townsend are slated for the
places now held by Attorneys Hagood
and Cochran. Messrs. Lathrop, Ha-
good and Cochran have made capable,
efficient and faithful officials. They
hnave done much more work during
the past four years than any former
set of attorneys. The famous Lake
City trial, prize vessel case, transfer
of lands for the naval station and
among, other matters of importance
have engaged the attention of the at
torneys during the past four years.
Many people would like to see Messrs.
Hagood and Cochran retained, but it
is feared that they will not be.
"Is your appointment expected to
have any effect one way or the other"
Mr.. Capers was asked, "upon the con-
troversy in the Democratic party, as
represented by Senator McLaurin and
Tillman?''
''Why, no, " promptly responded Mr..
Capers, "why should it have? I could
not participate in Democratic con-
vention or vote in Democratic pri-
mary. I have been thoroughly aligned
with the Republican party, on nation
al questions, since the adoption of the
Chicago platform, and have twice pub
licly supported Mr.. Mckinley for pres
ident; and once during temporary
residence in Marylnd, voted the Re
publican ticket in contest for the
legislature, which resulted in the cleo
ton of Sentaor McComas. Your ques-
tion was no doubt suggested" contin-
ued Mr.. Capers, "because of the well
known personal friendship between
Senator McLaurin and myself, friend
ship which antedates his public ca
reer. It was known ing Washington
that for this particular Office. the dis
trict attorneyship, Republican was
to be named. and you can therefore
understand that Senator McLaurin
did not have an opportunity to play
many favorites'' with such a limited
field: for do not believe there are
over Is or 20 Republican lawyers in
the State at this time. My long ser
vice as a United States attorney here,
together with the influence of the
southern Republican senator's, the re-
tiring attorney general, and many SIM
liar influences, coupled with an open
and earnest. advocacy of Mr.. McKin-
ley's reelection were, Of course, in ad-
dition to Senator McLaurin's efforts
for me. very potent in connection with
my appointment.
Gas far as I know" Mr. Capers
continued, "none of the South Carroll
ma delegation on either side of the
capitol, opposed me. With them, I
presume, it made little difference one
way or the other, but with Senator
McLaurin it was different, simply be-
cause he saw an opportunity to help a
very near personal friend, and he
promptly and earnestly gave me his
potential influence for all of which I
am very grateful to him.