The Washington times., 1901-10-08
A DEMOCRAT APPOINTED.
Ex-Governor Jones Selected for
the Federal Bench of Alabama.
Ability Preferred to Political Creed
"a Policy InaUgurated by the Presi-
dent - The Richmond Carnival
Opened From the War Room.

ucnt - The Richmond GarniNai II
Opened From the War Room.
President Roc sevelt yesterday substan-
TALLY Indicated the policy he will follow
in filling Federal offices in the South in
appointing a Democrat. ex-Gov. Thomas
Goode Jones, of Alabama, as judge OF
the northern and middle districts of that
State. Ex-Governor Jones is one of the
brainiest jurists of the State and a sworn
enemy of lynch law and of the disfran-
chisemeut of the negro voter. His ap-
pointment promises to please everyone
but the Republican aspirants for the po-
sition and their friends
The appointment closes a sharp con-
test, which began soon after the death
of the former occupant of the bench,
Judge John Bruce. Nearly all the promi-
nent candidates were Democrats of rec
ognized ability. There was general Gu
riosity to see If the President would. ac-
cording TO his expressed intention. select
Democrat because of superior qualifica-
ttons over Republican candidates. Judge
William l. Chambers was a prominent
aspirant for the appointment, supported
by Hilary A. Herbert ex-Sccretary of the
Navy. Booker T. Washington, the negro
leader. was 4 warm supporter of ex-Gov-
ernor Jones'
Ex-Governor Jones served in the civil
war, on the staff of General Gordon. the
famous Southern leader. From 1899 until
1894 he was Governor of Alabama. His
readiness to call out the militia to quelI
lynch and mob law demonstrations gained
him the sobriquet of the military Gov
ernor." In the recent constitutional con-
vention he strongly opposed the suffrage
clause which disfranchised the negro
voter.
A similar policy to that inaugurated by
the President in this appointment has been
adopted by the Republican National Com
mittee, in the selection as national COM
mitteeman from South Carolina of John
G. Capers, who has been a Republican
only since 1896 His principal opponent was
Colonel Deas, the colored leader, whose
Republican faith antedates reconstruction
days Deas wanted also to be appointed
collector of internal revenue, a position |
which the President has practically de- |
cided to offer to Loomis Blalock another |
Republican of comparatively recent con- !
version.
Henry C. Payne, Vice Chairman of the |
Republican National Committee was at l
the White House several times yesterday |
He called in the forenoon and then lunch /
ed with the President. A long confer |
ence. evidently regarding the Presidents |
policy toward the South, was held suose- !
quently.
To Representative Thompson of Ala
bama, who called just after the appoint
ment of Ex-Governor Jones was an
nounced, President Roosevelt said that he
would make ability the chief consideration
in making appointments. Representative
-.
Gratis of the South. He was highly de-
lighted at the appointment of Ex-Governor
Jones, whom he considers the ablest man
in Alabama.
There were fully as many callers at
the White House yesterday as there have
been on any day since Mr.. Roosevelt took
up the affairs of administration The ante
room was thronged for nearly three hours.
The appointment of Charles HartZell, of
Denver, Col. as Secretary of the Island
of Porto Rico was announced yesterday.
Mr.. Hartzen was rendered the position by
President Mckinley and is considered
splendidly fitted for the office. Since the
appointment of Governor Hunt, who was
previously secretary, the position of sec
retary has been filled by j. II. McLeary,
who was a few days ago appointed to
on the supreme bench of Porto
Rico.
AT I2:37 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
President, by touching an electric key in
the telegraph room at the White House
OpEIltu islt StCDllu dllliudl IdilAA-
val at Richmond, Va. In the grandstand
IL Richmond the telegraph wires were so
that the touch of the Presi-
dents hand on the key at the White
House discharged cannon and released 2
large number of small balloons at the
Virginia capital.
Ex-senator Henry C. Davis of West
Virginia Chairman of the United States |
delegation to the Pan-American Con-
yress, called by appointment upon the
President yesterday. Mr. Roosevelt in
oru.ed Mr.. Davis of the policy which the
representatives of the United States
should follow in the discussions Of the !
congress. The special train bearing dele
gates of this and other countries TO the
ciry of Mexico will leave Washington on | ,
Saturday next.
Settlement of the contest among Ken ,
ucky Republicans for the Louisville col |
ectorship appears rather remote. The !
President has stated that he will not be
'eady to make a change in the office for ,
ome time Careful consideration Will be
given the matter.