Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-21
ON INSPECTION TOUR
Mr.. Hitchcock in the South
After Information.
CONFERENCES BEING HELD
Considerable Learned About Political
Situation.
OFFICEHOLDERS IN A SILVER
Numerous Official Heads Likely to
Fall Before the Year is Out
Records of the Lukewarm.
CONFERENCES BEING HELD
0FFICEHOLDERS IN A SILVER

Cold shivers are playing up and down
the spines of southern offlceholders who
nave been lukewarm in supporting the pol
1cles OF the administration. and who have
become committed to the Fairbanks, For
aker or other booms.
Up In New York the other day Archie
Sanders. collector Of internal revenue Of
the Rochester district, was asked for his
resignation because he didn't sympathize
with the Roosevelt and Hughes admins
trattons Sanders thought there might
have been a mistake when he first got the
word, and he waited. Then he was tipped
on In newspaper reports that If he didn't
resign his head would be sliced as neatly
as southern colored man cuts water
melon. The resignation reached the treas
ury yesterday afternoon and successor
will be announced in a day or two.
When the President found that certain
republican national committeeman and Of
hceholders down south were getting ready
to manipulate affairs for Fairbanks and
others he sent Frank Hitchcock down there
TO inspect the postof1ces. Hitchcock has
not been east or west on the same mission.
but inspecting he went The reports show
that the inspections have been accompanied
by conferences In the large southern cities
and that Hitchcock has learned great
deal-not about the pOstoffices but about
politics.
Conspirators Likely to Suffer.
The way it looks now. number of heads
down south will fall into the executioners
basket before the end of this year. Con-
spirators who have been working to bring
about the election Of an anti Roosevelt
chairman Of the national committee and
who have been saying nice things about
Foraker and others will probably not be
able to get back to the Roosevelt band
wagon in time to save themselves. Even If
they did their seats would be insecure, as
cold suspicion is certain to pursue them.
Now. as to Mr.. Hitchcock. He was asso-
ciated with George B. Cortelyou as man.
ager of the republican campaign in 1904.
He learned all about the southern politi-
clans and cliques. He learned about the
lilly white,' and black and tans," and he
knows the combinations in the different
states by heart. What he didn't find out by
his connection with that campaign he has
since acquired in the Post Office Depart
ment, where he handled all the post office
appointments in the south, dealing with
the southern referees and all the other
elements. The fact that he has the records
of so many of these men is likely to be
disturbing factor in their minds. If they
have been taking part in conspiracies down
there against the administration he will
know about it beyond question. because he
can acquire more and say less than most
men in public life.
Mr. Hitchcock's Mission.
Mr.. Hitchcock is said to have had a long
conference at the White House before he
went away to look after these post offices.
OF course, the, President wanted to know
just how well postal receipts were holding
up In the south and whether postmasters
down there were as progressive in other
parts Of the country.
That Mr.. Hitchcock may be violating
the rules of the President as to participant
ing in politics while engaged in his duties
as a federal off1ceholder may be serious
thing against his record when he returns
here. The President has dismissed a num-
Der of men at various times because they
make their political work too conspicuous
and he Is known to hold some strong views
on the question. Upon Mr.. Hitchcock
return he is expected to make an explana-
ton to the President.