The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-10
ROOSEVELT AND THE SOUTH.

President RooseveIt's first appoint
ment in pursuance of his policy of plac-
ing reputable Democrats in official po-
sitions in the south has met with much
praise, not only in the south but
throughout the country
Governor Jones. of Alabama, whom
the president recently appointed to the
position of United States district judge
in that state is thus spoken of by for
mer Secretary of the Navy Hilary A
Herbert, a member OF Cleveland's cabi-
net:
"Governor Jones is known at home as
a man of sterling integrity, strong cour-
age, marked independence and great
best lawyers in our state
II do not think the appointment of
any one man to a federal Office in the
south VIII have any material effect
upon the political Organizations there
The best people of the south will APP
p1aud the appointment of the best men
available to I'LL the federal offices there
and either Judge Chambers or Cover
nor Jones would give more satisfaction
to the people than any Republican the
president could have found in the
state
The Birmingham Age-Herald says:
TT is an admirable appointment in
every respect. If this appointment be
days of the professional Republican
politician are numbered. Like Othello,
his occupation will be gone. Such APP
pointmentS do more to soften political
asperities than a host of smooth words
with no acts behind them. In its every
aspect this appointment is very signif-
fcant- 1t means the best man in federal
Office, and this is by no m cans an I'M
important matter in this section of the
country. President Roosevelt deserves,
thanks for this appointment from every
citizen of Alabama"
F. p. Glass, editor of the Montgom-
cry Advertiser, said:
s'In setting aside the sma1l-bore, sell
fish leaders of the present organization,
which have always been hated or mis-
trusted by the mass of white people,
and by taking up one of the ablest and
purest of Democratic leaders, President
Roosevelt shows to the south that the
reconstruction period and all its con-
comitants of carpet-baggers and scala
wags is done forever. The Republican
party is to be made worthy of the cou-
hdence and respect of the white people
OF the south He put merit above tenn
porary party or personal considera-
TONS He proposes to do right and 70
invite a following of all right-thinkinx
raen- This policy is not necessarily GO
ing to bring fruit Immediately to the
new Republican organization in the
south, out II VIII pave the way through
good viii for possibilities in that direc-
ton"
Booker T. Washington. the leader of
the colored people in the south and the
biggest man OF his race in the coun-
try, gives the appointment his I'M
qualified approval He had already en-
dorsed him before the president
The Chicago T1mes-Herald, discuss
ing the matter editorially. has this to
say:
president Roosevelt has inaugurated
his southern policy in an admirable
manner by deciding to appoint ex-
Governor Thomas Goode Jones of Ala
bama to a district judgeship. What
ever may be the political effect of ap-
pointing an influential Democrat to
such an Office. there can be no two
opinions as to its wisdom and the pc
culiar fitness of the appointee.
THE ex-governor was a confederate
soldier who distinguished himself by
his bravery during the civil war. and
when the war was over he began to
practice law in Montgomery and soon
rose rapidly in his profession and in
politics. He was speaker of the lower
house OF the legislature and was colonel
in command of state troops at the sup
preston OF the Birmingham riots.
Later, when governor, he took personal
charge OF the militia during q strike