The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-02-24
AGAINST CAPERS.
Ellery NJ Brayton R pudiates His
Leadership Of the Republicans
SAYS HE DEFENDED A CLIENT


Three Negroes in Lexington
County About Twelve
Years Ago.
The following article is clipped from
the Southern Reporter, Republican
paper published in Charleston. 1t is
spicy reading, and makes several ex-
plantations from Mr.. Capers in order:
Editor OF Southern Reporter:
After witnessing the strange pro-
ceedings Of the State executive COM
imittee On Jan. 10Th, I became con-
vinced that crisis had been reached
in party affairs. The submission Of
the committee to the domination Of
National Committeeman John G. Ca
pers seemed almost abject. Without
being member or holding a proxy he
participated in it's proceedings, spoke
several times, and dictated its action.
Of course allowance should be made
for the benumbing effect produced By
the unexpected and unnatural recon-
ciliation between Mr.. Capers and
State Chairman Deas. But that this
should have so demoralized and dazed
the committeeman that not one of
them should have opposed and resent
ed the dictation of Mr.. Capers or pro-
tested against the forcing through Of
such an unprecedented date for the
State convention as Feb. 24th., (three
months earlier than ever betore) when
it was known that many of them had
I expressed themselves as hostile to his
plans and purposes and intended to
antagoniZe them, was a humiliating
revelation. 1t was clear the object Of
the schemers was to take advantage Of
the apathy and forestall the party be-
ing aroused so that conventions in some
cases well-nlgh clandestine could be
held And some have already been
held in advance Of the issuance Of the
call of the State chairman.
| have hoped that some one would
sound the alarm and give expression
to reason for the fear, dread ard dis
gust which prevails among the Re-
publicans Of the State, and state the
grounds which preclude the party
! from giving its confidence, respect
and allegiance to the leadership Of the
national committeeman. Some Of
these grounds have not been men
toned in the opposition so strongly
urged in your paper. Feeling that it
is right and necessary that this should
be done, and believing that an oppor-
tunity should be afforded Mr. Capers
before the meeting of the State con-
vention to deny or explain the charges,
| ask the use of your columns for this
statement.
| am informed and believe from
crelitable testimony that Mr.. Capers
was present and implicated in the
! lynching of three colored men in Lex
ington county, S. c., about y years
ago. That is vital and disqualifying
accusation, if true, against any one
seeking to control the action of the
Republican party is manifest. No
argument or appeal can be needed to
cause the Republicans to spurn and
repud;ate the leadership of one taint-
aed with this crime. Others may con-
done and even approve this fast
Threatening evil, but no one would be-
iliere that the race which is the VIC
tim of this barbarity would entrust
! its political interests in the keeping
of a lyncher. And at this particular
juncture when Gov. Hayward is ap-
pealing to the leg Stature to take steps
to prevent this demoralizing and de-
basing crime, and President Roose-
velt'S magnificent letter to the COVER
nor of Indiana calling the attention
of the' country to its dire conse-
Quences is having its effect. it seems
incredible that the administration
should twice have been imposed upon,
and the Republicans of this State, in
their already wretched condition, af-
tlicted with such an incuous. re-
call that Editor \. G. Gonzales was
hung in etfigy in this city for condemn
ing lynching Instead of suffering
retributive justice Mr.. Capers holds
the Office Of prosecuting United States
attorney, and aspireS to be the boss Of
the Republican party, if he has not
already achieved that distinction.
am also informed and believe that
Mr. Capers was indicted in the federal
court of this State for defrauding a
client in a pension case. When it is
recalled that at that time both Mr..
Capers and the district attorney were
Democrats and that influences the
most potential were unavailing to
prevent this prosecution, it will be
understood that the proof must have
been incontrovertrible. | am also
informed that to escape trial re-
newed efforts were interposed: and
only upon the assurance that Mr.. Ca
pers would leave the State, thus ex-
patriating himself, as he did do, was
the case mol pressed. And now we are
told that Mr. Capers has the etfrontery
to aspire to the appointment of a
United States judgeship upon the first
vacancy occurring.
If this change is answered / ask
that synopsis Of the e1idence sup.
!: porting the Indictment be given, for
am Informed that it is not only con-
yincing, but conyicting.
| could say much as to the manner
!; in which Mr.. Capers is believed tc
have trathcked with the federal offices
! in this State, his utter failure to dc
anythything to build up the party
and the methods by which expects tx
, control the convention, but those are
matters that can wait for another op
portunity.
But attention should be callec
tO tho Sitrni fic1ncp of the braZen de