The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-06
C1R0LINA'S POLITICIANS.
u,RsHAL MELONS STRUGGLE To
HOLD HIS JOB.

cleaned
Mexican Copper Mining stock and
Will soon Be in Shape to Fight for
NcLaurin's Seat.
Washington. D. c., May Am effort is
,,,ina made to dislodse Lawson Melton
.rom his position as United States mar
.baI for the district of South Carolina.
lust who constitutes the opposition and
,be nature of the charges made against
him. is a problem Mr.. Melton and his
4riends are trying to solve. A few days
o j, was reported here that formal
..oarses against him had been filed at
tine Department of Justice. Some color
"a the report was given by the fact that
Mr.. Melton suddenly appeared in Wash
ireton and spent several days here in
conference with officials of the Attorney
Generals office. Upon inquiry at the De-
nartnnent of Justice, l was unable to find
any traces of formal charges against
Marshal Melton. Those officials with
ubom charges would naturally be lodged
declare emphatcally that they have seen
or heard nothing of any formal alega-
INNS against Mr.. Melton, which might
reflect upon his administration of the Of
fee of marshal. From the same source
information was derived to the effect
,bat there has been some trouble be-
,ween Marshal Melton and his deputy,
J. Brooke Sleigh, which resulted in tho
latter's removal. An official of the De-
nartment of Justice suggested that it is
nossible that Mr.. Sleigh may contem-
Oft NJ vel hal
Melton and endeavor to prevent the lat
ters reappointment when his term eX-
pres.
Deputy SIeigh's Appointments.
1t appears that Sleigh was appointed
deputy marshal through political infiu-
ences outside of the state of South Car
DINA 1t is said that Sleigh was charged
with several derelictions of duty which,
if true, were not creditable TO federal
official The latter was brought to the at
tention of Mr.. Griggs, then Attorney
General, who was induced to overlook the
shortcomings of Deputy Marshal Sleigh
and disapprove the ion for
his removal. Subsequently Deputy Mar
shall Sleigh became involved in some
financial trouble similar to that which
had previously Influenced a recommends
zion for removal and the investigation
went against Sleigh again, and he was
finally dismissed from the service. 1t is
understood that he protests his innocence
and it is believed that he proposes to
demand vindicaton and at the same
time use whatever influence he possesses
10 secure the official decapitation of Mar
shall Melton. This is the situation as it
exists according to the officials of the
Department of Justice.
Among the members of the South. Car
DINA colony it is said that Marshal Mel
tons administration of his Office has not
been entirely satisfactory to the people
of the state, nor is the Department of
Justice seriously concerned about his re-
appointment 1t will be recalled that he |
owes his appointment to the fact that |
he was supposed to be one Of the leading |
representatives OF the native Republican
element in South Carolina. His selection |
was made contrary to the wishes of |
Boss Webster and the regular organi- |
cation leaders, consequently it will re-
quire some extraordinary exertions on his |
part to secure a re-appointment He Is |
fortunate, however, in having the friend |
ship of Senator McLaurin. Mr.. Capers, and !
several other South Carolinians who are |
supposed to have more or less influence |
with the present administration. If any |
change in the marshals office is contem- |
plated it will hardly be made until after |
the President returns from his Western |
trip.
Mr.. Latimer Makes a Good Deal.
Representative Latimer, who has been
here on a strictly business mission, left |
Tor home last night happier and far
more prosperous man than he was ten
days ago. l have it upon excellent au-
thority that Mr.. Lattimer has just con-
GUIDED deal in copper mining stock in
Mexico which netted him something over
100000.
This sounds almost too startling to be
true, and Mr.. Latimer discreetly declined
10 confirm or deny the statement when
spoken to on the subject. He admitted
mat he was here on purely private bust
ness aud refused to discuss local or ma
uonal politics. He said that he was in
Serested largely in some mining stock in
mexico But to what extent he pre-
served absolute silence.
IT Is known that Immediately after the
adjournment of Congress, Mr.. Latimer
aeIt washington on a secret pilgrimage
10 Mexico, where, with some experts and
lew confidential friends, he made a
personal examination of certain copper
MINES in that country. Upon his return
ne went to New York, established bust
ness relations with a number of promi-
nent men conspicuous in financial, as well
as national affairs, and I am told that
regulations were carried on with his
onaIdcteristic prudent, but get there"
sgIe' which resulted to his entire sat
TIacton. No one who has followed Mr.
Eaefners career in Congress closely will
uouot his thrift and enterprise when
ooilrohted by practical business prop
0s'uoh' He has made many valuable
tiiends and business connections through
ms connection with national affairs. His
membership on the Committee of the Dis
u't OF Columbia has brought him in
ooH'act and friendly association with
solhe or the most prosperous and success
~ BUSINESS men who make Washington
'eF nome during the winter.
Al the present rate, Mr. Latimer ought
t oe well equipped to start in the sena-
aO' .aI race against Senator McLsurin and
ie" more deals of a similar nature in
"14ilhs stocks should render him fully
,s'oIe Tor membership in the Million
~. Cluo, constitutionally known as the
tHi'eu states Senate. 1t is understood
~ several members of the Senate and
ssiipers OF the House and other national
b,ao'ais here and in New York have
uSnt largely of the Mexican mining
- IN which Mr.. Latimer is such a
caAe Hoder and the transaction has been
htueted on thoroughly legitimate and
v@ti.esSllke basis. 1t is said that the in
,r ',"ent Is substantial and dividend-pay |
taI III us character, and In no way par
ssar~ So OF the speculative fever which now
tire ~. 10 De rampant throughout the en-