Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-10-14
ROOSEVELT AND THE SOUTH
THE PRESIDENT URGED TO RECoG-
NIZE THE INDEPENDENT MOVEMENT
McLauFin's Nanae Mentioned for the
Cabinet-NO Foley Regarding
Appointments Adopted.

Both southern regular republicans and
southern men of Independent political
thought are beginning to express desire
to see southern man placed in the cabinet
that recognition may be given to the grow
ing republican feeling among people of the
best classes in that section. Suggestions
are coming from the south that President
Roosevelt could strengthen the great inde-
pendent feeling that appears to- be making
| such headway, and these suggestions are
beginning to reach the White House in the
shape of letters and by the word of Callers
upon the President. There has been no agi-
tation of the subject, and just now The
! matter is confined to the fact that promi-
| nent business men in the south have writ
ten to Washington inquiring about the pos
sibilities Of President Roosevelt taking such
action at some future time. No names are
mentioned a rule, but Senator McIaur-
ms name is mentioned in this connection
more freely than that of any other man.
The South Carolina senator has made q
good impression on President Roosevelt, as
he did President Mckinley who, IL is
said, contemplated the selection of Mr.. Nc
Laurin to cabinet position If he had
lived. President Mckinley offered Mr. Nc
Laurin place on the Philippine commits
sion and urged him to take it. but Mr.. Nc
Laurin declined on account of his political
desires in this country. Mr.. McLaurin was
next suggested for federal judgeship in
the south, but did not turn to this and has
SteadfaStly adhered to his purpose to re-
main in politics in his state and to con-
tinue to advocate the policies that have
brought him into so much prominence.
Cabinet Changes Soon to Come.
There will be changes in President Roose-
velt's cabinet before the end of his term
Some of these changes will probably occur
within six months. Mr. Roosevelt natural
ly has some personal friends he would like
to be in the cabinet with him, but he will
have opportunity before a great while to
place Senator McLaurin or some otner
southern man of the same views in the
cabinet. The chances are strong tnat he
would be inclined to do so, and the chances
are still stronger that Senator McLaurin
would be the man he would select
Much has been said about President
Roosevelt's southern policy, but the fact
Is that he has not formulated any fixed
policy except that he will treat the south
fairly and that he will appoint clean men
to office. A number of the President $
southern callers have intimated to him
that if he sets aside the old-line republi-
cans in the south he will lose their sup
port for delegates to the next national re-
that of the new element which will un-
doubtedly be formed into party before
the next presidential campaign. To these
suggestions of his own interests being in
VOWED the President has. sta ted with en-
phasis, and with some degree of dislike
that he does not care what is done about
delegates three years from new-that he is
going to appoint only the best men to be
had.
Condition That Confronts Him.
The exclusive recognition of the new re-
publican element In the south, represented
by Senator McLaurin, would lose to the
President some of the support he would
get in national convention delegates if
he should give the old liners all the offices
To build up the new sentiment the Presi-
dent must probably help it by occasional
appointments. These appointments make
the regulars disappointed and angry That
is the situation and the President must
confront it. The statement is made that
in every southern state there is senti-
ment similar to that led by Senator Nc
Laurin in South Carolina In that state
ably severed their connection forever from
the democratic party and in three years
will probably affiliate with the republican
party. They can hold a state convention
of their own and elect delegates that might
be recognized by the national convention
1nasmuch as the present national commit
teeman is one of their members.
Whatever Mr.. Roosevelt does will not
be with a thought of the future for him
self. He knows that he could secure the
delegations of every southern state by con-
flninS his selection to the old-Ine republi-
cans, but he has firmly stated that he will
appoint good men, no matter what they
think on politics