The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-10-09
SOUTHERN 0FFIGE-SEEKERS.
Daily Callers at The Presidents
Morning Reception.

Washington, September 3o.-It is
becoming a daily occurrence for Presi
dent Roosevelt to find Georgia or
South Carolina contingent awaiting
him when he enters his reception room.
Both of these States were present
among the Presidential callers today.
The venerable Gen. Longstreet, who
claims to have been the first of those
who wore the grey in the war between
the states to be converted to the Re
publican faith, called to pay his re-
spects and at the same time to inquire
what the prospects are for his reten-
tien as United States commissioner Of
railroads, position paying S., 600 per
annum, with duties insigni6cantly
light. He was appointed by the late
President Mckinley to succeed Gen.
Wade Hampton. Gen. Longstreet is
growing old and infrm, and Presi-
dent Roosevelt may desire to increase
the duties Of the railroad commissioner
and elect a younger and more vlgor-
Gus person to carry out his policy.
Representative Griggs, Of Georgia,
who is lingering here to round up de-
partmental work, called at the White
House again this morning to present
William Z. Hodges, who represents
Hart county in the Georgia Legisla-
ture As the two Georgians had no
requests to make President Roosevelt
gave them greater consideration than
was shown to some of the other visit
ors who had axes to grind. The con-
versation turned on Georgia and Geor-
gia people, the President again declar-
ed his intention TO visit his mothers
old home in Savannah at the earliest
convenient opportunity. He also
of Senator Clay, and alluded to the
pleasant relations they had formed
during his brief term in the Senate.
He repeated that he desired Demo
cratic Congressmen to feel that they
are at perfect liberty to consult him
about Federal appointments, for it is
his earnest desire and intention to
select none but honest, clean men for
public Office. To accomplish that end
he says he will need the advice and
counsel of representative men Of the
various sections Of the conutry.
A Republican delegation from South
Carolina, which called later, did not
have such an agreeable seance with the
President. The delegation consisted
OF E. II. Deas, colored, the Duke of
Darlington, deputy collector Of in
ternal revenue, who aspires to the
leadership of the Republican organ
iaztion in the Palmetto State, vice E.
A. Webster, deceased. He was accom-
panied by E. W. Screven, of Colum-
bia, and ". H. Wheeler, of Charles
ton, who were formerly in the internal
revenuel service, but recently retired
to private life. Their mission was to
impress upon President Roosevelt that
they represent the regular Republican
machine in the State and they pro-
pose to hold control of the organiza-
tion, and they do not approve the
efforts OF Senator McLaurin, with the
aid of District Attorney John G. Ca
pers, to control all OF the Federal
patronage in South Carolina During
their brief interview Deas eadeayored
to tell the President how Mr.. Capers,
who is at present q registered voter
In Maryland, is trying to be appoint
ed member of the Republican ma
tional committee from South Carolina
by virtue of his recent appointment as
district attorney. He also protested
against the appointment Of Loomis
Blalock as collector of internal revenue
to succeed Webster, on the ground that
Blalock's appointment would mean
that Senator McLaurin will practically
have control Of about twenty internal
revenue appointments in South Caro-
lima. He urged the promotion Of
G. II. Higgins, the present deputy
collector. The President was evi-
IDENTIFY not favorably impressed by the
personnel Of the delegation, for he dis
posed of them as quickly as he could.
He was not ready to take UP the sub
ject of the distribution of the Federal
patronage in South Carolina. The
members seemed quite crestfallen as
they left the White House, and Deas
has concluded, after hearing from
Senator Hanna that Webster's place
On the national committee cannot be
filed until three years hence, to give
up seeking that place and retain his
position as chairman of the State COM
mittee.
Loomis BIalock, who is to be aD-
pointed to the vacant collectorship, is |
here loking after his interests.-R. N. |
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