The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-04-18
NEW PARTY POLICY
Inaugurated By President McKin=
lev For Southern States.
BENEFITS WHITE REPUBLICANS
Appointment of Capers as District
Attorney In South Carolina
Starts Ball to Rolling.

A Washington special says: Ad-
vocates of white mans Republican
party in the south received crumb OF
encouragement from the president
Monday. Among the federal appoint
ments formally promulgated at the
white house was is the name Of John
C. Capers, of South Carolina, to be at
torney of the United States for the
district of South Carolina. Under or
dinarv circumstances but little or no
significance would be attached to an
appointment of this kind. There ls,
however, said to be a new political
principle underlying the presidents
action.
Since the election of Mckinley for a
second term there have been frequent
statements emanating from cabinet Of
ficers and other members Of the ad-
ministration to the effect that 1t was
the intention of the president to as
sist, as far as he was able, in the reha-
bilitation of the Republican party in
the south. As at present constituted,
the Republican party in the south Is
composed largely of negroes, and, except
when A national convention is at hand,
but little interest or pride is taken IN
the southern contingent by the Re
publican bosses at the north.
During the campaigns 1895 and 1900
a number of prominent gold Demo
Gratis in the south refused to support
Mr.. Bryan and gradually drifted away
from their old line Democratic moor
ings. Added to this element it IS
claimed there is younger generation
with new ideas and new ambitions IN
politics, who have to certain extent
acted or become indirectly associated
with the Republican administration.
Mr.. Capers claims to be representa-
tive of the latter class of southern
Democrats.
Mr.. Capers is at present an assist
ant attorney to the attorney general IN
the department of justice and IS en-
ga4ed in the settlement of southern
war claims in the court Of claims. He
was appointed to his present position
during the last Cleveland administra-
tion. while Mr.. Olney was attorney
general. When Mckinley was elected,
Attorney General Miller was impressed
by the legal ability aud experience OF
Mr.. Capers, and accordingly retained
him in the public services.
In the meantime Mr.. Capers had de-
clined to follow the leadership OF the
free silver wing of the Democratic
party. In the last campaign be prac-
tically broke away from the Demo
cratic party and went on the stump for
Mckinley in West Virginia and other
doubtful states. For some time past
he has been in frequent conference
with Senator Pritchard, of North Car
olida; Senator McLaurip, of South
Carolina, and other well known south
ern men who profess to be interested
in the formation of whites mans
Republican party.
After a careful survey of the politi-
cal field the president apparently con
cluded that Mr.. Capers is well quail
fed 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 ia
vorite son of the well-knowu Bishop
Capers, of South Carolina. 1t is con-
tended that the appointment OF Mr..
Cape.s may attract to the Republican
camp many white men who have lin
cered in the Democratic columns be-
cause they would not consent to atfill'
ate with a party organization which
was composed largely of the colored
brother.
INQUIRY at the white house brought
out the fact not noted in the official
bulletin, that Mr.. Capers' appoint
ment does not take effect until the e1-
piration of the term of the present in.
cumbent, MI. Lathrop.
T1LLMAN TO FIGHT CAPERs.
There will undoubtedly be consid-
erable opposition to the confirmation
of Mrs. Caper's appointment. 1t is
we'll known that the Republican or.
csnization in South Carolina is united
in urging the reappointment of MIR.
I,atbrop. Not only has he satisfied
the members of his own party, but it
is said that the legal profession
throughout the state, without regard
to party, has indorsed him for reap:
pointment. In addition, it is said
that Senator Tillman would rather see
Mr.. Lathrep appointed than any one
whom Senator McLaurin might name.
1t is, therefore, probable that when
the nomination of Mr.. Capers comes
before the senate for confirmation,
there may be battle royal between
tho rival senators from South Carolina