The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-12
PRESIDENT is SORE
SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICANS
MAKE HIM WEARY.
HE REITERATES HIS POLICY.
GOOD REPUBLICANS FIRST, THEN
GOLD DEMOCRATS.


DR.. p. v. Clayton of Columbia to
Be Made Collector of Internal
Revenue in south CaroIina-BIa-
lock Had n Sure Thing Until Some
of His Republican Supporters
Went Back on Him-The President
Seems to Have Selected Good
Man.
Washington, D. c.. Oct. 11.-With
a positiveness, almost convincing, it is
stated that the President has definitely
decided to appoint DR.. V. P. Clayton
of Columbia, collector of internal rev.
enue for South Carolina, as indicated
exclusively in these dispatches last
night. The turning down of Mr.. Bla-
lock was SO unexpected that cautious
persons are disposed to wait until the
President puts his official signature to
the commission before proceeding to
gossip on the subject.
The Presidents Sad Experience.
President Roosevelt is experiencing
considerable political impatience and
personal discontinue in trying to ad-
just his policy in dealing out Federal
patronage in the South on a strictly
meritorious basis. He does not hesi-
tate to state to his personal friends,
and make it perfectly plain that with
In the past week he has been deceived
by misrepresentation made in behalf
of certain aspirants for office and their
friends. He is perfectly sincere in his
desire to emphasize the merit system
in making appointments in the South
as we'll as in the North, the East and
West. He has remarked to
more than one Southern delegation
within the last few days that a
mans complexion, be it black or white,
| shall not operate to his advantage or
disadvantage in the distribution of pat
| ronage. The President has endeavored
to impress on all of his political cali
ers the fact that he proposes to exer-
else his best judgment in selecting the
best available man for every appoint
ment he may be called upon to make.
He does not hesitate ito state that this
is Republican administration, and
all things being equal, the preference
will be given to meritorious member
! of the party in power. 1t was with
| the best intentions and with an hon
! est endeavor to benefit the public SER
vice generally that he stated at the
very outset of his administration that
! it is impossible for him to become per-
sonally familiar with the qualifications
| and personal habits of every individual
who may be suggested for a federal Of
flee. Under the circumstances he an
nounced that he would cheerfully re-
| ceive advice and suggestions on the
| subject from men of influence ard
standing in all sections of the coun-
try, without regard to party. To this
end he has freely consulted Democratic
senators and representatives about
public affairs in their respective states
with pleasure and profit.
The Carolina Vacancy.
When he entered the White House to
assume executive functions he found
a vacancy existing in the Office of col
lector of internal revenue for the Gis-
trict of South Carolina. To facilitate
the public business it was suggested
that an appointment might be made
without delay. Various aspirants ap-
peared in Washington. supported by
their respective friends and political
followers. After considerable political
negotiations among the rival factions,
they agreed to combine on Loomis
Blalock and proceeded in a body to
the White House and urged his ap-
pontment on the ground that he was
good Republican, or had been for
several years past, and was in every
way qualified for the position. He was
congratulating himself upon establish
ing political union among the usually
combative and contentious South Car
olna Republicans and had about
agreed to appoint Mr.. Blalock. A day
or two later some of the very men
who had previously indorsed Blalock,
advised the President that he was
making a serious blunder in selecting
Blalock, and Immediately commenced
to unload all kinds of charges against
the man they had few days previous
ly commended. Naturally the Presi-
dent, who is frank, straightforward
and honest at all times, was not well
disposed toward such double dealing.
so he promptly declared that Blalock's
appointment would not be made, and
that he would withhold action on the
collectorship for further consideratin.
In the meantime DR.. Clayton was tel
egraphed to come at once to Washing
ton, and his sponsors insist that his
appointment is assured.
A Surprise to the Leaders.
The Washington Star, without await
ing the official announcement from the
White House, but proceeded on the idea
that DR.. Clayton is already appointed.
says This announcement will be a
great surprise to South Carolina Re-
publicans inasmuch as it was thor
oughly known that Loomis Blalock
was to receive the place
The change from Blalock to DR.. Clay
ton is not explained. DR.. Clayton was
formerly postmaster at Columbia. is a
man of a high grade and is an organi-
zation Republican He has been a Re-
publican all his life, and prominent in
his party. The old-line Republicans
will rejoice in the selection, notwith-
standing DR.. Clayton might not have
| been their first choice
"Mr Blalock has not been a Repub-
lican many years. and the organiza-
tion men first objected to him and lat
er approved his selection. Senator Nc
Laurin does not bother with the Re-
publican appointments usually, but the
| appointment of DR.. Clayton will not
be Objectionable to him. The President
1 will soon appoint d. o. Stewart as
postmaster at Newberry, S. c. He is
distantly related to President Roose-