The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-08

Presidents have filled federal offices with Republicans only irrespective of merit, ability. ftnes and frequently of character. The men who were lucky enough to get OF the winning side of the National Con- ventions, or who were most successful in carrying negro deelgates. have re- ceived the federal offices as rewards. President Roosevelt practically proclaims to the country that the reconstruction period and all its consequent conditions are, at end.
 In .inaugurating this bold policy Presi- dent Roosevelt was fortunate in his op- portuhity here in Alabama and in his choice of a man to signalize its meaning. The federal judgship is position that concerns not only this particular district. but all the country. Business goes upon it's dockets from nearly every State of the Union. The tendency of litigants out side the stae isfto get into the federal courts all the time. So all the country is concerned in the selection of the ablest and purest men for that bench.
 The Presidents selection of Governor Jones was most happy. He has been for years one of the ablest and most res- pected Democratic leaders in the State. and has made a national reputation by his breadth and force. He has always been governed by his brain and con- science, and while some Democrats here in Alabama have at times differed with him, he has always commanded their respect He has been conservative, fair and considerate of all factions and views. It is a generally accepted view of him that he will do right as he sees 1t, no matter what the political or personal con- sequence. Furthermore. he Is a very able lawyer and of a judicial type.
 Now as to the political consequence of anu OA bAAA6 pOhCys HO Advertiser is in a position to say that President Roosevelt did not ask or even intimate anything in the way of pledge as to Governor Jones's future course in any matter. The President acted as one soldier and gentleman toward another.
 But there will be a political effect, ultimately and surely, of such a general policy in the South as President Roosevelt is understood to have decided upon and to have signalized in this case. It will relieve the Republican Party of the onus of distrust and hatred it has had to fight against since 1860. It will convince the white people of the South that 1t Is study ing the inteersts of this whole section, that it Is worthy of their esteem and good will It will pave the way for an ultimate strengthening of its ranks by the acces- sion of many white people who have been in sympathy with one or another of its policies for years. It will remove the belief in the spirit of oppression of the Republican Party towards this section. That belief has acted as an outside pres sure upon the South to make 1t solidly Democratic. From the inside has come even a greater pressure in the form of fear of negro domination-a relict of Republican policies. The people of the South are steadily removing this home pressure by curtailing the franchise in their organic laws. The removal of the two pressures. external and internal. is sure to permit the Southern people to relax sooner or later into the normal political condition of division on public questions. How soon this development may follow can't be predicted, but it is human nature to differ, and it can be expected that Southern people will begin to decide as soon as they can safely do so.
 The Advertiser congratulates President Roosevelt on his high sense of duty, his courage and his sagacity. It congratu- lates the people of Alabama as the first of all the South to profit by such a wise | departure from the beaten truck of Re
 pubIicanism in civil affairs. It con- graduates the State. too, upon the access sion of such an able, pure lawyer as Gov ernor Jones to the federal bench. Finally, and most heartily. it congratulates Gov ernor Jones upon the honor done him
 by the President in seecting him to signalize this new policy of peace and good will to the South.
 It will be pleasant to many at the | North as we'll as the South, to recall l that the man upon whom this honor has