The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-05-09
hLAURIN INTERVIEWED
On tie Appointment OF Gen. Hamps
ton 10 ihe Columbia Postcffice.

ports having been printed 10 the effect
that General Wade hampton had been
rendered tie Office Of po. tmaster At
Columbia by Senator MaLaurin or
friend of his, with the understanding
that he should throw his influence IN
favor of McLaurin's reelection, and
the general having been quoted as say
ing that he could not be bought, Sen
ator McLaurin was called upon with
view to securing his version or the
matter. The Senator said that he d.d
not offer the Office to General Hamp-
ton and merely promised 10 use his IN
fiuence toward having him appointed
ii he desired it, at the request Of
close personal friend Of the generals.
The place, so far as | AIN aware,
said Senator McLauIin. has not been
rendered General Hampton. | do not
profess IN be able TO control this ap-
Dointment. ] was approached by
devoted friend of his. who is not much
more than an acquaintance OF mine.
and asked if | would endorse Ge-eTal
HamEln for postmaster at Columbia,
a5 he thcuSat it would be appreciated
by him az this time. l unhesitatingly
replied l would when vacancy occur
red. if the general de ired the place. !
was assured by his friend that he
thought it would be acceptable. ! ur2ei
the retention and re-apcintment OK
General Hampton as railroad com
misi3no'. and had both wri ten and
personal acknowledgements Of his ap'
prec:ation OF the efforts which kept
him in Office a long time after his tenn
expired.
Nobody expects to buy General
Hampton. and the headlines IN The
Charleston News and Courier are as
irsulsin" to him as they are unjust 20
me. | mentioned this matter to
friend CT nine in Columbia ard it met
with his hearty appreciation and re
vaiuntalc;d TO ascertain whether tn,
general desired the President to tender
lin the position or net. Everybody
connected with 1t was Influenced by
delicate and true regard for Gene al
Vampon and TO drag the matter into
the uaDers for political purposes is in
thSr;, gh keeping with the busAWhacN-
ing tactics employed by those who CO.
inct 20 fair argument On public queS.
tons. ! am no, and refuse to be
drazed into the papers by every
canard started by my political eaemics.
Il vii speak to the people, not the
paDels. and make my position on all
questions thoroughly understood at
Grasnvile on the ODD instant This
particular incident is closed 50 far as
| am concerned, but an confident
that the friend of General Hampton
who frst approached me will corrobo-
rate what | say. as / believe ne was
acting in the utmost good fa!th,Lhough
entirely without the Knowledge OF the
general"
The Columbia friend Of whom Sena-
tor McLaurin spoke, as volunteering 10
ascertain whether General Hampton
would accept the Office was doubtless
Editor Geo. r. Koester, though the
s nator called no names. The latter
had the following signed editorial in
his paper, The Columbia Record, Sat
urday:
I'm view of General Wade Hamp-
tons interview in this mornings State,
brief statement from myself seems
necessary. AS Is generally known, I
am a close personal and political
friend of Senator McLaurin, and have
been ever since he first came to Co
lumbia as a member Of the Legislature
In 1890. 1t has been falsely said |
wanted the Columbia pOstmasters1ip
as a reward for my friendship for tho
Senator. Some Of my friends tried to
get me to apply for the office, but | de-
clined to do so. though they said 1t
would be easy for me to obtain It. ]
told them I would not even accept tha
Shanghai consulship. as it was my in
tention to remain in editorial! harness.
Discussing this matter with Senator
McIJaurin, he asked me whom l would
recommend for the Columbia post
mastership. and led me to believe that
my recommendation would have great
weight with him. I could not recon-
ment a man unless he was fit for tie
Office and willing to accept 1t. l knew
General Hampton was we'll qualified u
discharge the duties Q. postmaster OF
Columbia, but did not know whethe'
he would accept the place or Eot.
Frc.l what was said at the time
hcme was given General Hampton. |
supposed such a salary as that OF
postmaster of Columbia would be pc
culiarly acceptable to him as placing
him in a position OF independence.
Hut | knew he was old and cherished
bitterness toward all who were in any
way responsible for his retirement