The Minneapolis journal., 1901-10-04
President Roosevelt Bound to
Bring It About.
ABUSES MUST CEASE
Professional Politicians Will Find
Their Occupation Gone.
PRESIDENT UNsELFISH IN THIS
he VIII Go Ahead Entirely Without
Regard for His own PO-
IiticaI Fortunes.
specIa1 to The Journal.

Special to The Journal.
Chicago, Oct. 4.-Walter Wellman, in a
special to the Record Herald from Wash
ington, says that President Roosevelt
means business with his plan to secure
political reform in the southern states. He
is going ahead making appointments to
federal offices in that region on the prin-
elple Of getting the best man without much
regard to his party afiliations. This has
become SO well understood that the old
line republicans in various southern states
are up in arms. They protest violently
against having their old pickings taken
away from them. They complain bitterly
against what they regard as the injustices
involved in the appointment of democrats
to federal offices.
The old organization men, or profess
sional politicians, have appealed to SEN
ator Hanna for help. They have asked
him, as the official head Of the party,
chairman of the national committee, to
aid them in retaining their rights" But
Senator Hanna has turned a deaf ear to
fere. Upon this score he and President
Roosevelt have an understanding.
o...-..... ................c
Practical politics will not be
permitted to stop the wheels of
the proposed reform. Mutterings
of vengeance in the next republican
national convention will not deter:
any one who has his heart in this
new movement, President Roose-
velt least of all.
S''''''''''''. ''.-'..'.'. '.'..................c
II IS safe to say that the halcyon days
OF professional politics in the rotten
boroughs of the south-the era ~ swan-
ping delegates who represent nothing for
Iat FEDERAL ofices-are drawing to a close.
No one expects that this system can be
overturned in minute 1t will take time.
BUT there can be no doubt that President
roosevelt has entered upon this work of
reformation in spirit of great earnest
ness and determination, and that he will
follow 1t up as rapidly and energetically
as circumstances permit, regardless of the
possible menace to his own interests in
1904.
More Wholesome Conditions Sought
The president has no rosy dreams as
TO the immediate political effect of the
new policy. He does not reckon upon
any sudden revolution. If any southern
state gives electoral votes to the repub-
hcan party three years hence he will be
agreeably surprised. That is NOT the
question at all. There is a great desire
to break UP the solid south, but not pri-
marlly for the votes involved in the dis
ntegration. The main thing is to secure
more wholesome political condition In
that section Of the country; to give south
ern men of intelligence and patriotic feel
ing chance to express themselves on
national issues; to free them from the in
tolerable condition now existing; a con
ditlon which subordinates every question
q puDllc Importance to traditional race
prejudice, the 'nigger domination buga-
boo. 1t is believed by the president and
those who advise with him that once the
wedge is driven in, once the best people
OF the south are convinced they are to
be treated fairly, that the danger which
they have feared and exaggerated has
wholly disappeared, the rationalizine
process win go on in a natural way. lead
ing TO good results.
Several southern appointments which
the president must soon make will give
MIN ample opportunity to demonstrate the
sincerity Of his purpose. There is a va
cancy on the federal bench in the middle
district Of Alabama, and it is likely to
be filled by the appointment Of Judge
Anthony D. Sayers of the city court OF
Montgomery. Judge Sayers is a democrat
and has not been suspected of any re-
publican leanings. But he will be in
vited to take his place if no worthy re-
publican can be found in the district.
Former Representative Brewer of Ala
bama, himself a democrat, saw the presi-
dent about this vacancy, and strongly
recommended Judge Sayers. Mr.. Brewer
says the people Of Alabama would be de.
lighted with the appointment OF Mr.. Saw
ers, who is a man of fine attainments and
nephew Of Senator Morgan Mr.. Brewer
adds that his excuse for recommending a
democrat is that there is no republican
in the district fit to take the post. He also
expresses the opinion that if President
Roosevelt sees fit to name Judge Savers
the people Of Alabama will have before
them an object lesson in the new policy
which will be sure to bring about a bet
ter era.
Coming South Carolina Appoint
ment.
In South Carolina it is virtually settled
that the vacant collectorship of internal
revenue is to go to Colonel Blaylock, the
candidate Of the McLaurin democrats. Mr.
Blaylock is now regarded as a republican
though he was democrat in good standinf
till a few years ago. His appointment
would be quite in line with the new policy
which the president has entered upon and
would stand as another proof to the peo-
pie Of the south that the old days of Office
huckstering have come to an end.
President Roosevelt has said to some ot
his callers who talked about this matter
that it is his duty to see to it that the
best men are chosen for all federal offices
in the south as elsewhere. Their political
affiliation is of secondary Importance.
Primarily his object is to reform the
public service, to appoint none but mer
who have the confidence of the people Il
any good political results follow, Of
course, that will not be unwelcome.
There is collectorship at Wilmington
Del, which is still held by DR.. Sooper. a
democrat who was appointed by President
Cleveland. In finding new man for this
post the president will have a chance -
show that ne has no sort of sympathy for
Addicks. It is understood that he will i'm
prove 1t.