The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-10
SUMTER. c.. WEDNESDAY. 1901.
SENATORIAL COURTESY.

SENATORIAL COURTESY.
How Senators Trade Jobs For
Political Purposes.
Washington, July Senatorial
courtesy" is a fearful and wonderful
thing. Translated into action it
means you tickle me and I'll tickle
you;' that is to say, If you let my
jobs go through, I'll let yours. This
has grown up into regular system
whereby any one Senator can usually
control all confrmat tions from his State
preventing them as long as he will.
This he can do even though he belongs
to the minority party and is directly
opposing the policy Of the President,
OF course, the majority, by mastering
its forces, can override him, but he
can, if he is a determined man, make
things so unpleasant on later occa-
sions for those who do the overriding
when they want their friends confirm
ed that it is an exceedingly rare thing
for this to be attempted, much less
done.
This is aprcpos of the South Caro-
lima appointments made by the Presi-
dent in accordance with wishes Of Sen
ator McLaurin with the idea Of build
ing up a decent white Republican
party in the South. Three of these
appointments have been made, all of
which await confirmation by the Sen
ate, thus giving Senator Tillman a
chance to oppose them.
The apointees will assume Office but
they will hold it only until the Sena-
tor adjourns next summer. Hit has
not confirmed them by then, their
commissions will expire and will
have to be renewed.
1t is announced here that Senator
Tillman will fight these confrmations,
holding them up as long as he can,
If not defeating them altogether. AS
he will be aided, tactily if not other
wise, by certain number Of Republi-
can Senators who think that there is
no use in trying to build up a white
Republican party in the South and
who object to the turning down Of the
old Republicans there, it is extremely
probable that he will succeed.
@ The third appointment Of this sort
has Just been made in South Carolina
by the selection Of j. F. Richardson to
be postmaster at Greenvi1le. The ap-
pointment was made at the instance
Of Senator McLaurin, who has the
Federal patronage at his disposal. Re
publican candidates were ignored and
the Office was rendered to Richardson
who is a Democrat, but who is friend
~ to the McLaurin movement.
In recommending these appoint
ments, Senator McLaurin is building
a foundation for his reelection to the
Senate next year. Republicans who
remained by the party simply for
what there was in ii. will be set
aside to make Eocm for more valuable
Democratic timber. The Republican
element is bitterly opposed to the loss
of all patronage which goes to the
converts, and it is said that powerful
machinery will be put to work to have
the nominations fail Of confirmation by
the Senate.
The main fight will come on the
confirmation Of John G. Capers, who
was appointed United States District
Attorney for South Carolina. Mr..
Lathrop, who was deposed by Mr..
Capers, has great strength with many
of the leading Republicans, and while
no statement has been made by his
side, itl is limited that Lathrop's
friends are not satisfied. The appoint
ment of Mr. Capers was also a slap
at f.. A. Webster, the personal friend
of Mr.. Lathrop and the acknowledged
boss of Republican politics in the
State. The McLaurin movement is
simply taking all the patronage from
the life long Republicns, and this has
caused no end of hard feeling in Re
publican quarters.
Mr. G. p. Townsend, of this city.
who has been the private secretary and
law partner of Senator McLaurin, is
slated for the position of first assistant
District Attorney, and the statement
that be would get the place has not
been denied. Mr.. Townsend was as
sistant Attorney General of South Car
olina under the McLaurin administra-
ton and is lawyer of no small
ability. The other attorneyship will
90 to Mr.. Thomas B. Butler, Of Gaf-
ney, a nephew Of General Matthew G..
Butler, of South Carolina. General
Buffers recent utterances in favor
of the McLaurin movement and his
influence generallyis said to have been
responsible for his nephew's probable
appointment.
A Row in Knights Of Pythias.
Indianapolis, July 2.-At the special
meeting of the Supreme Lodge,