The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-04-25

| ana Is engaged III the settlement o
Southern war claims in the Court O
Claims. lie was appointed to the pre-
sent position during the last Clevelan,
Administration, while Mr.. Olney wa
Attorney General. When Mr.. Nc
Kinley assumed control Attorney Gen
eral Miller was impressed by the lega
ability and experience of Mr.. Caper
and accordingly retained him in th
public service.
In the meantime Mr.. Capers had re
nounced Organism and declined to fol
low the leadership of the free silve
wing of the Democratic party. In th,
last campaign he practically brok,
away from the Democratic party ant
went on the stump for Mckinley il
West Virginia and other doubtful
States. For some time past he has
been in frequent conferences with
Senator Prltchard, of North Carolina
Senator McLaurin, Of South Carolina
and other well known Southern men,
who profess to be interested in the
formation of a white mans Republican
party. One of the most active and in
huential supporters of Mr.. Capcrs is
Senator McLaurin, who recently de-
clined to cooperate with his former
Democratic associates in the Senate
and has since been classed among the
independents or new cony ert to Re-
publican principles. 1t has been known
for some time that Senator McLaurln
has been industriously at work in be-
half of the appointment Of Mr.. Capers
as district attorney in South Carolina.
After careful survey of the politi-
cal field the President apparently con-
cluded that Mr.. Capers is well qualified
to become an administration mis-
sionary TO lead the new crusade in the
Palmetto State. Mr.. Capers is young,
ambitious, has had some experience in
politics, belongs to distinguished
South Carolina family, and is the second
son of the well known Bishop Capers,
of South Carolina. 1t is contended
that the appointment OF Mr.. Capcrs
may attract to the Republican camp
many white men who have reluctantly
fingered in the Democrat column be-
cause they could not consent to affiliate
with party or organization which was
composed largely of negroes.
The appointment of Mr.. Capers will
surely create sensation among South
ern Republicans, and especially the
Republican bosses in his own State.
Mr.. Lathrop, the presen: district at
to1ney, reputable white man an ac-
ceptable prosecuting attorney, was ap-
pointed Ivy President Mckinley upon
the recommendation of L. a. Webster,
collector of internal revenue and the
political referee of the South Carolina
Republican organization. Mr.. Web
bter, typical carpet-baggcr, has been
the Republican dictator in South Caro-
lima for number of years. His prln-
cipal lleutcnants and scouts are not
tho kind of men that representatives
of the old respectable families would
care TO tic to. In fact it is alleged that
many Of the negro politicians of the
State are prepared to rcpudiate Mr..
Webster's leadership if members of
the cid families will come to the front.
An active politician from South Caro-
lima, while in Washington short time
ago, was interviewed concerning the
proposed organization of white mans
Republican party in the South. He
remarked with the peculiar dialect of
the South Carolina negro: "I hopo it
is true that some of the gentlemen of
the State will come forward and lead
us. We are tired of carpet-baggers
and we won't tolerate poor white
trash.'
The official announcement Of Mr..
Capcrs at this time 0ccasoncd general
surprise among South CaroIlnians,
owing to the fact that District Attorney
LathrOp's term Of Office does not expire
until the latter part of next July. AT
the department of justice and the
White House there is not line or a
suggestion TO indicate that Mr..
Lathrop is inefficient or that any
charges have been brought against
him. The inquiry at the White House,
however, brought out the fact, noted
in the official bulletin, that Mr.. Capers's
appointment does not take effect until
the expiration Of Mr.. Lathrop's term.
The records Of the White House
show that Mr.. Capers' commission
reads as follows: John G.. Capers,
Of South Carolina, TO be attorney of
the United States for the district of
South Carolina, commencing July al =,
1901"
There will undoubtedly be consider
abe opposition to the confirmation of
Mr.. Capcfs's appointment. 1t is q
well known fact that the Republican
organization in South Carolina is
united IN urging the appointment of
Mr.. Lathrop. Not only has he satisfied
the members of his own party, but 1t
ls said that the legal profession through
out the State, without regard to party,
has endorsed him for reappointmcnt.
In addition, it is said that Senator
Tillman would rather see Mr.. Latin op
appointed than any one whom Senator
McLaurin might name. 1t is, there
fore probable that when the nomina-
ton Of Mr.. Capers comes before the
Senate for confirmation there may be
d battle royal between the rival Sena-
tors from South Carolina. Senator
McLaurin is said to be prepared tc
stand by his present convictions in
any emergency, and having cast hi'
lot in favor of Mr.. Gamers and n new