The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-07-09
NEW APPOINTMENTS.
Geo. r. Rooster no Longer Holds the
Office
OF REVENUE COLLECTOR.
This is a Lucrative Position and there
is Much Speculation as to Who
Will Get the Fat Fed
= Ii
cral ., D.

cral j, D.
The State says aIr. Geo. +. koeSte,
Wednesday retired from the office OF
Unietd States revenue collector for the
district Of South Carolina. As has
been stated, the United States senate
failed to confirm the presidents saction
in nominating Mr.. Rooster, and ac-
cording to law his commission is Of nc
effect after the adjournment Of the
senate.
1t is stated that Maj. Micah Jen-
kins will get the appointment. And it
is further stated, though not openly.
that the old line Republicans will
resist this probable action OF the presi-
dent. Some think that Major jenkins
will not accept the position while
others declare that if he is appointed
he will accept.
Since the death of Mr.. E. a. Web
ster last October, the vacancy in this
office has excited the cupidity Of many
politician in the Republican party:
AIr. Webster was called the "RepQbli-
can boss," Of this State, and this office
gave him prestige in his party.
1t was first announced that LeunaS
W. Rla!ock Of LaureDs county would
get the appointment. Being a Re-
publican, it was thought that he as
pired to be the Republican dictator in
this State. But on the heels of this
statement came the announcement
that Blalock had been turned down
by the president-intemperance being
the alleged reason.
The president, who had at that time
been in office but few weeks, was
startling the politicians with his un-
expected movements. 1t was believed
that Blalock's pull was due to the in
1uence of Senator McLaurin, SO when
the president announced that he had
appointed Geo. R. koester to fill the
vacancy caused by Mr.. WebSter's
death, the Republicans took it that
this action also was due to Senator Nc
Laurin's influence. Straightway they
began fight on this appointment and
the senate failed to confirm the presi-
dent'a action. The reasons have al
ready been given wide publicity.
The old line Republicans, who ac-
cepted with il grace the leadership of
Capt. John G. Capers who was by
President Mckinley appointed dis
trict attorney for South Carolina,
have been aware for some time that
Koester's appointment would not be
confirmed, and quite a number of them
have applied for the position. They
will hardly let Maj. Jenkins become
collector until after hard fight.
Mr.. Geo. H. Higgins, who was
chief clerk under Nj. Webster, was
acting collector during the inter-
regnum preceding Mr.. Koester's TAX
ing charge of the Office on Nov. 4th
last. Mr.. Rooster retained the office
force and deputies appointed by Mr..
Webster with the exception Of E. H.
Deas, colored, who resigned and was
succeeded by George Washington Muir
ray, colored, KoeSter also retained NJ.
J. johnson, colored, in his office and
J. Fl. Fordham, colored, as a deputy
collector.
MIR. HUGGINs IN CHARGE.
Mr.. Higgins is again the acting COL
lector, having received telegraphic au-
thority from Washington, and the
transfer Of the office was made Thurs
day, A. C. Patterson of Greensboro, n.
c., being the governments agent. Mr..
Huggins is a Republican, but is highly
esteemed by good Democrats in the
State.
There has been great deal OF talk
lately about the office of collector Of
internal revenue. The people generally
are not aware of the Importance of this
office, because a regular Democrat was
not regarded as available for it, and in
these practical days an office does not
tempt much notice Whenit is so far re-
moved from reach. In addition to the
splendid salary, and to the power it
gives the incumbent, the office is a
very important one.
All the revenue or tax paid out OF
this State to the national government
passes through this office, and the
revenue collector is in other words the
tax collector CT the federal govern
ment. The office should require the
services Of experienced men, who are
acquainted with the revenue laws in
their frequent changes. This office
collects revenues of all kinds-not
merely upon distilleries and TOBACCO
factories as is sometimes supposed.
A GOOD JOB.
The salary of the revenue collector
is So, 800 per annum. In addition he
is allowed commission, net to exceed
900 in the aggregate. On account
of the building of big distillery near
Columbia. the salary and fees Of the
office will henceforth make it pan
out" the limit, $4,000 a year. The
governor of the State and the sur
preme court justices get but So, 800,
and congressman with their heavy eX-
pense get but S.. 900.
In addition to this good plum IN
the way Of pay, the office is one OF IN
huence and of direct power. The
revenue collector has the right to ap-
point not less than 10 clerks and depu-
ties, whose salaries will average about
$1,000.
In the office in Columbia Mr.. George
II. Higgins is chief deputy. The
other deputies are Capt. J. L. Little
and Mr.. L. VI. Fouche. There IS oae
office clerk. Rev. J. II. Johnson, color
ed.
There are three division deputies To-
Gated in different parts OF the state.
There are three gaugers and store,
keepers appointed by the collector. II
is the duty OF the gaugerS to test Cne