The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-08
KoESTER's APPOINTMENT STANDS.
He Tells President of His COnnec-
ton with Lynching.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 7.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt has made full inves-
tigation of the allegations against In
ternal Revenue Collector Rooster fol
the latter's connection with "a lynch.
ing party in South Carolina a Ions
time ago. Various statements on tn,
subject were presented to the President
and, although he had commissioned
Mr.. Rooster and the latter had filed
his bond, the President determined to
make a full investigation of the SUBJ
ject in order to satisfy himself that
the appointment of Mr.. Rooster was
justifiable.
There has been considerable corre-
spondence on the subject, ana Mr..
Koester's frank and manly explana-
ton of his participation in the lynch
ing has induced the President to de-
clare that, so far as Mr.. Rooster Is
concerned the incident is closed, and
his appointment. will stand.
Everyone of the horrible details OF
the lynching referred to which involved
three demons charged with outraging
a white woman we're laid before the
President.
Mr.. Rooster frankly related the de-
tails which surrounded the sickening
crime, and the possibility Of the es-
cape of the fiend who had committed
the outrage upon the white woman. He
related to what extent he participated
in the affair in addition to his duty as
a newspaper reporter. He also supplied
the President with copy of the story
of the affair which he himself had
written for publication and added that
in view of the conditions which existed
at that time, he considered his action
justifiable.
The victim was about to be burned
at the stake, and Mr.. Rooster proposed
a less violent remedy. There is not a
man with drop of American blood in
his veins who would not have con-
doned Mr.. Koester's action under the
circumstances, and President Roose-
welt is satisfied that Mr.. Rooster will
make fearless and capable collector
of internal revenue for the district of
South Carolina.
In this connection it is understood
that Mr. Rooster is already prepared
for exchange in his list of deputies.
George Washington Murray. a for
mer colored Congressman from the
Charleston district is being strongly
urged by prominent Republicans out
side of the state as one of the deputies.
Senator Mark Hanna, who is interested
in Murray has asked that some pro-
visions be made for him in South
Carolina. 1t is understood that Deputy
Collector Deas who publicly arraigned
Senator Hanna for designating District
Attorney Capers as a member OF the
Republican National Committee, is
slated for official decapitation to make
way for Murray. Deas not only made
himself personally and politically
offensive to the administration during
the contest over the collectorship, but
he is not in sympathy with Collector
koester's appointment.
AS Mr.. Rooster holds a bonded re-
sponsibility for all of his deputies, he
will select those who are supposed to
be friendly to him, and inclined to
work to make his administration of the
Office successful.
Murray and Deas are from the same
congressional district. and IL is expect
ed there will be lively row In the
new organization IL Murray is appoint
ed to succeed Deas. Just how Collector
Rooster relishes being obliged TO APP
point a colored deputy remains to be
seen.
He may. however, feel that he can
make some sacrifice TO win the friend
ship OF so formidable a leader as Sena-
tor Mark Hanna