The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-06
THE OFFER TO HAMPTON.

The following statement from Mr.. A.
E. Williams of Richmond. Va, appears
in Sundays News. of Charleston: In jus
tice to Senator McLaurin ] wish to make
a plain statement of the facts regarding
the offer OF the Columbia postma stershio
to Gen. Wade Hampton. The offer was
made at my urgent suggestion. AS soon
as / heard that Senator McLaurin would
be likely to have much influence in the
appointment of Federal officers in South
Carolina /, on my own motion, requested
him to consider Gen. Hampton's name in
connection with the place at Columbia
Senator McLaurin agreed that it would
he a graceful and proper tribute, and said
he would rather see Gen. Hampton have
the place than any man living He hest
tated, because he feared the proposition
might he understood. / told him | be-
lievcd that Gen. Hampton could be given
such strong assurances that his accept
ance of the position would in no way
hamper his political action that he could
be satisfied on that point. have reason
to believe that such assurances were Civ
Ell TO him. / have been Gen Hampton's
devoted and personal friend and admircr
through good and evil fortune for TWEEN
ty-hve years. My hope was that he would
be gratihed by the voluntary tender OF
en- important position at his own home
which would promote his comfort and
be an evidence of the honor in which he
is held Senator McLauhins distinct
statement to me after l had suggested
the appointment was that he regarded
Gen. Hampton's character and record as
putting him above and beyond ordinary
political considerations. At this
instance have no means OF
knowing whether in a fight between Me
Laurin and Asbury Latmer Gen. Hamp-
ton would side with Latimer. nor can /
imagine why. do know that his proba-
bic political position was not mentioned
between Senator McLaurin and myself
Editor George r. Rooster of the Column
bia Record is out in a card. in which he
states that he investigated the offer to
Gen. Hampton. having discussed the post
mastership with Secretary MeLaurin and
having been asked by the latter TO rec
ommend some one for the office
lie says: then talked the matter over
with three Columbians and / asked one
of them to ascertain II Gen. Hampton
would accept appointment as postmaster
OF Columbia, and TO make II perfectly
plain that absolutely no conditions would
be attached 10 the appointment. but that
If he accepted it he would not be tram
meled in any way and would be consid-
ereu absolutely Tree 10 support or oppose
whom he pleased. II was an honora bic
offer, couchcd in courteous terms II was
meant as a recognition OF Hampton's
worth and past services to the state.
services which, however. did not entitle
him TO election to a representative office
II his views were at variance with those
Of the people whom he would have 10
represent. The gentleman saw Gen.
Hampton and the reply was as courteous
As the offer being that Gen Hampton
would not accept the appointment. There
had been no suggestion of buying" Gen.
Hampton In the offer and there was no
scorn IN ITS rejection. SO his words as re-
ported In to-day's State are a surprise.
to say the least Of them. Neither Nc
Laurin nor Mckinley offered an ONCE 10
Gen Hampton.