The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-10-18
JOHN GApERs AMBITION.
HE HUNGERs FOR A FEDERAL
JUDGESHIP IN THIS STATE.
Some of the Methods He Is Using to
Further His Cause-Federal Pat
ronage His Long Suit.


at the coming session of congress for
the creation of a new Federal judicial
district in this State, the bill for that
purpose being allowed to die last year
by reason Of the scramble between
rival towns for Federal court houses,
the scuffie for the judgeship, a fat
lifetime job, is beginning, with John
G. Capers, the Republican referee Of
this State, who has been holding down
the job of district attorney for sew
eral years, as the central figure.
Mr.. Capers' adherents say it is a
practical certainty that he will get
the plum if the bill passes, that the
president has virtually promised it to
him, and that he has the endorsement
of many influential members Of the
bar throughout the State for the
place. On the other hand it was the
objection of the bar generally over
the State to the elevation to a place
of so much responsibility of man
of Mr.. Capers record that so marred
his prospects heretofore.
1t was also objected to Mr.. Capers
that he has not been a resident Of the
territory proposed to be c6t Off into a
new district, and the president init
mated that this would be a potent OBJ
lection. Recently Mr.. Capers changed
his legal residence from Charleston
to Greenville.
And now comes evidence that Mr..
Capers is using both his place as ref
cree and his job as district attorney
on the postof1ce jobs Of the State to
advance his chances of floating into
the judgeship, and this matter is to
be brought to the attention of the
president in a forcible manner He is
charged with working these postof-
fees to placate the bar in various To-
calities. His friends say that he is a
clumsy politician, but there can be no
doubt of his energy. And it is not
strange that he has a burning ambi-
ton to finally preside over district
as Judge in which he was indicted a
few years for crime. A true bill
having been found against him for
extortion in pension case, but the
case was finally mol pressed. 1t was
charged in the last Republican con-
vention here that the case was drop
ped because of the Capers and Tren-
holm influence being brought to bear,
and because he promised to leave the
State Pc that as it may, he was
afterward made district
attorney. But if the South Carolina
delegatiin discovers in time that he
will get the judgeship there is little
reason to doubt that they will stran-
gle the bill to create the district.
:. But dnasmuch as Uncle Joe" Can
non is credited with favoring the ap-
pointment of an additional district at
torney and marshal in case there is a
new district created, Mr.. Capers is
said to be opposed to the bill if he
cannot get the judgeship, as a new
marshal and new district attorney
would too much cut into the fees.
The. scene Of Mr.. Capers' activity
among the postmasters is in the Pied
mont section, at Westminster, Belton,
Edgefeld, Greenwood and
in Congressman Finley's district on
the North Carolina side Of the State
At Belton charges of irregularity
have been brought against Postmas-
ter Horton, and kinsman Of United
States Senator Latimer has been en-
dorsed for the place. Senator Lati-
ner, however. is sticking to Mr.. Hor-
ton, in whose integrity and honesty
that section mas absolute confidence.
He has an estate worth some $4,000.
The Westminster postmaster has
been charged with pernicious activity
in politics, it is said, in addition to ir-
and members of the bar
have been given to understand that
they might name his successor.
The Greenwood bar is also said to
have been approached. It is felt the
postmaster there will lose out. IN
formation comes to Columbia to the
effect that members of the bar there
have been given to understand that
they might name The next Greenwood
postmaster.
Postmaster Link at Abbeville seems
20 be also feeling the results of Mr..
Capers great ambition to become
Judge, and some 1Abbeviile lawyers
are about ready to talk.
Persons close to Senator Tillman
say he has been consulted by Mr..
capers on Ms,mber of occasions re-
Gently with regard to appointments
in tho rpnCr RI of tho Sto4o