The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-12
THOMPSON REPLIES
 TO SENIOR SENATOR
STATE CHAIRMAN
 WRITES AN OPEN LETTER TO
 SENATOR MORGAN THE CUES TON OF FEDERAL PATRONAGE.

J. O. Thompson, chairman of the state republican committee of Alabama. replies in an open letter, as follows to Senator Morgan's recent communication to the Bir- mingham Times, reproduced in The Age Herald
 Birmingham, Ala, December Il. 1895. Hon. John T. Morgan, Washington, D. C.:
 Sir-I have read your recent letter to the Birmingham Times, in which. while not naming me personally, you leave no room for doubt that I am one of the parties referred to therein.
 If you had been content to confine your references to me personally, this reply would not be made, for there can, from the very nature of things, never arise any personal controversy between us.
 Your long and distinguished service to our state and country, however much as a republican I may differ with you upon matters of governmental policy, challenges my respect and veneration. I want to say right in the beginning of this letter, that think the democratic party owes it to it. self to re-elect you senator as long as you live. and were I democrat, l should feel it my duty to support you, for you are, senator, indeed the typical democrat, the very polar star of democracy-stead- fast and immovable-unehangeabl and un- changed. neither time, tide nor disaster can defect you from the dismal past of your party. To you, the recent verdict of the American people contains no fun eral note. but is but hugle to call to the old guard of democracy, which dies but never surrenders.
 It is only with the political aspect of your communication that l shall deal, which take 1t, you will concede not to be improper, since I stand as the official head of the republican party in Alabama, se- lected as such by the unanimous vote of that party in convention assembled.
 One thing that stands out pre-eminent in your unjust and unwarranted attack upon the president and his friends in Ala bama, is, that you, democrat, select as the channel through which to promulgate this attack, a republican paper, and that one in Alabama which in the past has been most consistently hostile to Pres ident .Roosevelt's policies.
 To this paper you give the benefit of your gratutious endorsement styling it the Heading republican journal of the state"
 You say, senator, that 'srhe neuclus of the political party is formed in Alabama which looks to the control or disruption of the democratic party, and Is under the direction of certain dispensers of federal patronage for this purpose"
 Upon what evidence you base this as- founding proposition is beyond my com prehension. unless it is that you have been lending a listening ear to the slander- ous statements of some seeker after place. We have no desire, I assure you, to act the role of pail bearer We have no desire to attempt even to control the democratic party, but are quite content to dwell within our own political family where there Is life liberty and happiness.
 Aeraf Ira tsa Craaa rtntr nf IA penslng of federal patronage: Tn all such matters the state officers are justly en- titled to the greater influence"
 After making the assertion that we arc attempting to control the democratic party by federal patronage, you advo- cate placing that patronage in the hands of your political associates.
 I cannot account for your anxiety upon this question, unless 1t be that you fear the effect of an overhowing trough upon your own political household.
 But what just reason can you give, sen- ator, to sustain your assertion that the democratic state officials should have greater influence in naming federal Of fcers than the chosen representatives oi .he Presidents own political party? Can you give any assurance that these deIi.e- crats would act beyond the pale of par t!sanship?
 In all your long career, can you name one democratic governor of Alabama who ever appointed republican to office?
 Under a democratic national adminis- tration, can you name one republican ever appointed to office in Alabama?
 Can you name one republican whom you ever endorsed to democratic President for appointment for federal office in Alabama?
 Under the organic law of this state, enacted by democratic convention and legislature, the state officials are charged with the appointment of three registrars in each county in this state, to pass IHpn the qualifications of those who seek to exercise the elective franchise
 Can you name a republican of the POI registrars, an office of all others which should be non-politic, who has been ap- pointed?
 Do you think it a. fair administration of the law not to appoint even one repub- lican among the three registrars in each county charged with the duty of passing upon the greatest privilege given free men in republican form of government?
 Have you concerned yourself to correct this evil, where in your own party here at home, you have undoubted influence? Would it not be well to Cast out the beam out of thine own eye and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brothers eye?" Can you con sistantly contend. that under these con- ditions a republican President should turn for advice to such partisans instead of to his friends?
 You are pleased to compare the McKin- ley administration with that of President Roosevelt, and your endorsement Of re- publicans under the former, and you say that the affairs under the latter are "con- ducted without any reference to the peo- pie of the state, their interest or their rightful influence"
 If this be true. have you exercised faith fully that prerogative of yours as sen ator in opposing the confirmation of those men chosen without regard to the welfare of the people of Alabama by the "civil satraps' of whom you speak?
 If this terrible condition exists In Ala bama. should you not have raised your voice in your rightful place in the Senate long ago and from there put the Presi- dent of the United States on notice that you would not sit silently In your seat