Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-01-21
CLARKsoN's PECULIAR MISSION.

CLARKsoN's PECULIAR MISSION.
| The President's Chosen Adviser In
the Southern Political Field.
Exactly how much truth there may
be in the story that J. s. Clarkson, Of
Iowa, is the presidents chosen adviser
as to affairs political at the south we
do not pretend to know. We have no
more information than any other out
through the medium of conjecture.
Certain facts, however, are at our dis
posal. ]. 8. Clarkson, Of Iowa, has al
ways been regarded as practical pol
itician, a manipulation of nominating
conventions and a manager Of national
campaigns. Quite recently J. s. Clark
son. Of Iowa, was appointed to SUBJ
ordinate position In the New York GUS
tom house, and ever since that he has
been a frequent visitor to Washington.
It is hardly probable that he comes
here to see the president about customs
affairs in New York, since he takes his
orders from the collector Of that port
and his duties and responsibilities are
not of a nature to require frequent con-
ference at the seat of government
Nevertheless he seems to be In Wash
ington about as often as he Is In New
York, and If he ever comes here with
out seeing the president nobody has
yet indicated the occasion.
This is not all. ]. 8. Clarkson, Of
Iowa, seems willing to impart his views
to the newspapers when properly ap-
preached, and by a curious coinci-
dence, his views invariably relate to
the Negro question at the south, the
high character and manifold attain
ments of the presidents Negro appoin-
tees, and the general obligations Of the
Republican party to citizens Of Afri-
can extraction and antecedents. The
gentleman talks great deal and very
glibly about the demands Of honor and
good faith in this connection, and moth
ing seems so repugnant to his convic-
tions as the idea Of a white Republi-
can party-meaning an organization
controlled entirely by white men-south
Of Iowa and New York. He denounces
the movement as q reputation Of the
cardinal doctrine of human rights
whatever that may mean-and he
darkly hints at a collateral conspiracy
by the Democrats to provoke the pres
ident to action that will dissatisfy the
colored voters in the northern states.
Us. Clarkson, Of Iowa, does not seem
to suspect, but it is nevertheless true,
that the mere fact Of his activities as
an exponent Of and an adviser in the
administrations policy with reference
to the southern. Negroes, furnishes all
needed proof Of the necessity for a
strong white Republican party
throughout that section. II he had
even the slightest sense Of humor he
would see the absurdity Of a political
organization in Alabama or South Car
olina appealing for guidance and pro-
lection to q subordinate official Of the
New York custom house! What would
be thought Of the Republican establish
ment in Pennsylvania or Ohio If, in
case Of serious emergency, 1t should
employ ]. S. Clarkson, Of Iowa, or
Joseph Manley, Of Maine, to act as its
go-between with the president and It's
apologist before the country? Why,
the mere fact that Clarkson has vo-
cation Of this kind, the mere fact that
the Crums and so on know Of his ex-
istence and recognize him as a factor
in their affairs-all this proves with
unanswerable eloquence that the pres
ent Republican organization at the
south is without character and force
mere mob Of off1ce-seekers, manipu-
lated by bosses and managers afar of.
Imagine Mr.. Hanna employing Clark
son to intercede for him with the pres
ident; imagine Mr.. Platt asking Clark
son to explain to the newspapers that
he isn't half as bad as he is painted,
but is really a person Of great worth
and no little education!
If the situation were not so mischiev-
Gus and melancholy it would be anus
ing beyond words.-Washingto Post.