The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-07
Judge Jones's Mission.


 Our Montgomery correspondent in- der date of January that Judge Thomas c. Jones of Montgomery, was about to SC to washington in response to A special invitation from President Roosevelt to consult with him and a number of very prominent southern men regarding the situation in the South. Our correspondent says that the opinion Is expressed in Montgomery that the Judge and others are to be consulted regarding appointments to Federal office In the South and that Re- turbed, fearing that their tenure will
 The first part of this report is true; as to the second. namely, the opinion held in Montgomery. we do not believe
 Judge Jones has never had anything to do with helping to get any one ap- pointed to office by the President. He did interfere when the Presidents ref marshals of Judge Jones's district be- cause they were Democrats; and the President sustained the Judge in his pr otest against such action; but, as we hand in siating Republicans for office; and we are sure that he will not now
 We have no information as to the SuU1cCI Indl so iHt8EtbLb ttiG GHEOtAChS that he has decided to consult with southern men about 1t; but we hope that the time has come when the odious referee system established by him will receive it's quietus.
 of referees or advisers by the Presi- dent; in fact, objection would be futile. A President must have In each state some man or some men upon whose knowledge and adjustment he can rely in matters affecting his administration in the State. The President cannot be present in person; he must have his representative or representatives It Is not necessary. however. that this adviser or these advisers should be known to the public; and 1t is most un seemly that such select men should be posed before the people as the dispens- CTS of Federal patronage. In the very by the Presidents favor become over lords in the political field; take on g show of power; and make thenaselvei obnoxious to the public view. Wors, holders, and bend every energy t | strengthening themselves in position building up, an organization not ss much for the good Of the party as 10' the good of themselves. Every sub-of, ficiaI must kotow to them or thinks h. must do so, upon peri1 of having bad report sent in about him. The situa'
 tion is thus the parent of insidious pAO8tSSehNo @S Ap mands a remedy.
 We believe that the President want to have a decent Republican Party fl I the Sonth. We, of Alabama, as Demo crats, want a decent opposition part. l fin this State. So far we and the Pres ident are in agreement We voluntee | the opinion, therefore, that one way [, make Republication decent is to nalll | the leadership of the party In the Soutl | less in evidence, less dictatorial, les masterful in the rule over Federal af | fairs in these States, where 1t Is fel | that they are regarded in high place as something akin to conquered prov inces.
 We shall not be surprised, therefore l if we learn that the discussion now t' take place in Washington will cove this very question, of how to elevat, the position of the Republican party II
 It will be asked: What has Judg, Jones to do with the status of the Re
 publican Party7 The answer is simpll | that Judge Jones is a patriotic Ala bamian, and it Is his duty. when asked | to say what he thinks will be for tn, l best interests of his State. It would b, | inc duty of any other AlabRmian, il asked to express himself. It is tn, duty that we perform unaslSed. Ther, can be no manner of doubt that mucl
 would be gained by Alabama by thu notification of the Republican Party
 and its establishment upon a plane o decency.