Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-18

eOlOglZeQ from every pulpit. Every
odist conference and every Baptist con
vention has passed resolutions expressing
the gratitude Of the colored people of the
nation for his conduct in the Brownsville
affair. and at the same time ii has been
represented that Secretary Taft is the
enemy of the negro and has tried TO dis
miss all the colored troops from the army.
notwithstanding all this. Secretary TAFT
will have a solid delegation at Cmcaso
from South Carolina. Most of the con-
testing delegates will be for Foraker
when they are selected. but will be free
to adjust their preferences when the con-
vention meets.
A CHASTITY Travesty.
Speaker Cannon is the only candidate
who has been Endorsed thus far in South
Carolina. Two delegates from the nrst
congressional district have been instruct
ed for him. A very black and very
unanimous young colored man named A.
P. Prioleau, who was the republican can
didate for Congress in the first district
last year and received twenty-six votes,
is now contesting the seat of Repre-
sentative Legare on that ground. not
withstanding the constitutional olsen
franchisement of convlc,-. He does not
expect to be seated but he intends to
make such demonstration as to induce
the committee on elections to ask an ap-
preparation to pay the expenses OF ms
contest. He was in the penitentiary when
he was nominated and when he claims
to have been elected. having been con-
victed of robbing the United States mails
while a route agent on the Southern rail-
road. John G. Capers. now commissioner
of internal revenue, was United States
district attorney at the time, and tried
the case There was never any doubt
of Prioleau's guilt or about the fairness
of the trial. There were two .colored
men on the jury; the evidence was con-
elusive the verdict was prompt and
unanimous, and the defendant submitted
quietly to his sentence. But being an
enterprising gentleman and a skillful pol
itician, he induced his friends to nomi-
nate him for Congress. and twenty-s1X
of them voted for him while he was still
in the penitentiary If he had been free
to make a canvass he doubtless would
have received larger vote, and that is
probably one Of the grounds upon which
he contests the election of his democratic
opponent.
Mr.. Prioleau was recently released from
confinement. the term of his sentence
having expired. and last week assembled
a dozen or so of his colored friends. who
proceeded to elect him and an associate
of similar reputation delegates to the
Chicago convention, and instructed them
to vote for Mr. Cannon. 1t was a bril-
liant stratagem, and Prioleau expects
Uncle Joe to reciprocate when his con-
House of Representatives.
T. l.. Grant, another negro politician,
who is managing the Taft campaign in the
same district. was also candidate for
Congress. and received one vote, which he
is accused of casting himself. Prioleau' s
enterprise has given Mr.. Grant great
deal of anxiety. and the latter is going
about In a hysterical state of mind. de-
claring that the late convention was ir-
regular and that the delegates should not
10 m
convention himself. when Mr.. Capers or
ders him to do so. and until that time he
begs the colored voters Of the first dis
trict to keep their seats and remain as
calm as possible.
That is a sample of republican politics
in South Carolina and it is CHASTITY
travesty on representative government.
No delegates from this state should be
recognized at the national convention. be-
cause they will not represent anybody but
the officeholders. and will not have an
ounce of influence In the election Of a
President or In deciding the policy of the
next administration.
Some Intelligent Republicans.
There are a few intelligent and honest
white republicans who take more or less
interest in political affairs and who oc-
cupy the principal federal offices. For
example, Mr.. George Higgins, postmas-
ter at Columbia. is native Of excellent
old stock and reputation. He was born
in Columbia and has always lived here.
having been engaged in the insurance
business and in real estate operations until
he was appointed postmaster. Mr.. Hug
gins was a democrat, as his ancestors
have been before him for several gener-
atoms. until 1896. when he went over to
the republican party and voted for Nc
Kinley on the sound money and tariff is
sues
Another Mckinley democrat now dep
uty collector of internal revenue. is Mr..
E. w. Screven. who was also born in Co
lumbia. of democratic ancestry, and al
ways voted that ticket himself until
Bryan was nominated on the free silver
platform. Mr.. Screven was commission
merchant when he was appointed TO Of
flee His family is one of the most prom
inent in the state. He married a daugh-
ter of Chancellor Carroll an eminent
jurist.
Micah Jenkins, collector Of internal rev.
enue, is not even a republican. but he was
a Rough Rider. and distinguished himself
in the campaign at Santiago. His father
was prominent in the Confederate army
and his family rank among the South
Carolina aristocracy.
respected. notwithstanding their politics,
and were Endorsed for appointmnt by
everybody whose opinion was of value.
FUNERAL OF HENRY GARDNER.