The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-04-16
CAPERS APPOINTED
<o,rH oARoL1NA's NEW DISTRICT
ATTORNEY.
, POLITICAL SURPRISE.
mss WEBSTER SEVERELY TURNED
DOWN.

o,ofee Appointed Postmaster at
,u,eu on recommendation of Sem
NIcIaurin and MIR. Capers.
,,ats+ar recommended a Negro.
nd. Two Hard Blows for the
aposs" Believed to Indicate a
change in Control in South Caro-
i'm If Not a New Policy for the
entire south.
washington, April 15.-Advocates of a
--,i+e mans Republican party in the
south received a crumb of encourage
want from the President to-day. Among
.ba federal appointments formally pro
.orIg,ted at the White House to-day is
,be name Of John G. Capers of South
(.-ol,na te he attorney of the United
e+o+oe for the district of South Carolina.
Under ordinary circumstances but little
or M significance would be attached TO
on apoointment OF this kind. There is,
however said to be a new political prin-
o,,a1 underlying the Presidents action.
Since the election of Mckinley for a sec
and term. there have been frequent state
r,ents emanating from cabinet officers
ond other members of the administration
% tbe effect that it is the intention of
+be President to assist as far as he was
aole the rehabilitation of the Republican
Marty in the South. AS at present con-
sti.uted. the Republican organization in
the South is composed largely Of negroes
and carpetbaggers, and except when
rational convention is at hand but little
interest or pride is taken in the Southern
contingent by the Republican bosses at
the North.
During the campaigns of 1896 and 1900
a number of prominent Gold Democrats
in the South refused to support Mr.. Bryan
and gradually drifted away from old
line Democratic moorings. Added to this
element is another generally younger gem
Grafton with new ideas and new ambi-
tions in politics, who have to a certain
extent acted or become indirectly asso-
ciated with the Republican administra-
ton.
MFR. Capers' Record.
Mr.. Capers claims to be a representa-
ocrats Mr.. Capers is at present an as
sistant attorney to the Attorney General
in tie Department of Justice, and is en-
gagged in The settlement of Southern war
claims in the Court of Claims. He was
appointed to his present position during
the last Cleveland administration, while
Nr. Olney was Attorney General. When
Mckinley was elected Attorney General
Miller was impressed by the legal ability
and Experience of Mr.. Capers, and accord
ingly retained him in the public service.
In the meantime, Mr.. Capers had re-
nounced Bryanism and declined 10 follow
the leadership of the free silver wing of
the Democratic party. In the last cam
paign he practically broke away from the
Democratic party and went on the stump
for Mckinley in West Virginia and other
doubtful states. For some time past he
has been in frequent conferences with
Senator Pritchard of North Carolina, SEN
ator McLaurin of South Carolina and
other well-known Southern men, who
profess to be interested in the formation
ol white mans Republican party.
McLaurin's Active Work.
One Of the most active and influential
supporters of Mr.. Capers is Senator Nc
Lau1n who recently declined to CO.
operate with mis- former Democratic
associates in the Senate and has
SINCE been olassed among the
Independents or as a new convert to Re-
publican principles 1t has been known
ior some time that Senator McLaurin has
oeen lndustr.ously at work in behalf of
,le appointment of Mr.. Capers as District
attorney in South Carolina. After care
luI survey OF political field, the President
apparently concluded that MIR. Capers is
fa5t 70
MISSIONARY to lead the new crusade in the
Palmetto state
Mr Capers is young, ambitious, has had
soHe experience In politics, belongs to "A
t-''.'.s ushed South Carolina family and
o. '"V idForlte son of the we'll known
'e1oP Cdpers of South Carolina It is
C-r-''l'oed mat the appointment of Mr..
apels may attract to the Republican
mp many white men who have reluc-
,""uS fingered in the Democratic column
''se lney would not consent to affiliate
49, party organization which was
rot-u q5-'oseu largely of negroes. The ap-
t.'1'ieul or Mr.. Capers will surely Gre
go oVusdlloh among Southern Republi-
can Gnu especially among the Repuoli-
tp 1o9ses IN his own state. Mr. LathroD
7 present district attorney is a ran,,ta'
e "Alte man and an acceptable nrose-
do.4 attorney, was appointed by Presi-
of VI. 4V Alnley upon the Recommendation
re- a. w Weoster, collector of internal
So,,+t, ana the political referee of the
Mr. W. roma Republican organization.
hesr .'s'ef' typical carpetbagger. has
Cart" "' Republican dictator in South
nina Ior number of years. His
the k,, Heutenants and scouts are not
rar,,.,o ',o OF men that Representative Of
In Ne families would care TO Tie 70
nam, II is alleged that
rrs- negro politicians Of the state. are
ers5.. TO repudate Mr. Webster's lead
oa,1' l members of old families will
fars. me 'front.' An active negro poii-
ire.,- '''.N south Carolina while in wash
coro,, sIoIt time ago was interviewed
wb.,c .- 'he proposed organization of A
sog,b nan Republican party In the
d.sIal. ne remarked with the peculiar
hone B., me South Carolina negro: II
mon ~ "ue that some OF the gentle
lead % state viii come forward aud
pare s,, we are tired Of carpet bag-
rasl.' won't tolerate poor white
fer. s.'..,l. r,..al announcement Of Mr. Ca
s.rar.' -,-.'n'Ht 40 this time oceasloned
naHs d. '''s' among South Carollnisna.
lstr1D... larl mat District Attorney
NrHI t.. l,..in oi ONCE does MOI expire
1arartr.ll part Of next July. Al the
Do .- -.ie is not a line on n s,,s,.es,.,.,,
rr inat Mr LafhroD IA tres,,.ie,,,
ae.. '} .1arges have been bro,,s,b,
TOO Inquiry 81 the whife
brought out ne ~, ,.o,
.. .,. phe.al bulletin. mar M. -.
eN, aoss uof lake eereet ~.
..r |aIlN ~ M T.fhre.,s- .