Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-16
The South Looking for a PoIit.
icaI Moses.
WANTS TO BREAK ITS BONDS
Views of a Leading Banker Of
Columbia.
FEW DARE TO BE REPUBLICANS
Efforts to Get White Labor-Legis-
lation and Railroads-Kindlier
Feeling Toward Corporations.
BY WILLIAM T.. CURTIS.

BY WILLIAM z. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence OF The Star and The
Chicago Record Herald.
COLUMBIA. S. c., March I, 1905.
In Nav. 1901 l had an interview with
Mr. w. A. Clark. president of the Caro-
lima National Bank of Columbia. then. as
now the leading business man In this
part of the state. concerning movement
which had been undertaken by President
Mckinley to build up a white republican
party In the south Introducing that in
terview. l said: Mr. Clark is not
politician He has never had anything to
do with politics but looks at things pure
ly from a business standpoint. He was
born and reared democrat and voted for
Bryan in 1896 but is supposed to have
supported Mckinley in 1900 Therefore.
he may be regarded as dsinterested and
can take a bird s-eye view of things.
This new movement, he said, does
not extend far beyond the manufacturers
and business men of the state. They are
few in number but highly respectable.
For the present and for several years
to come they will exercise limited in
fluence. but the sentiment they represent
Is growing gradually. and ultimately will
command the respect and influence the
action of the state. / believe the move
n,ent will be ultimately successful. be-
cause the policy of the republican party
is best for tine welfare OF the southern
states. and sooner or later the people
will find it out The trouble with the
democratic party is that it still hugs dead
issues. 1t does not appeal to the bust
ness interests of the country but fright
ems them with its populistic ideas. The
republican party represents live issues.
Hence it is growing. Most of our bust
ness men down here believe in republican
principles. but keep on voting the demo-
{i.1xn hnao IF dino
conditions, social traditional and other
wise.
We have no great leader. In time
one may spring up. but he is not yet in
sight. The moneyed men of the state
would like a change, but there is no one
able enough or strong enough or bold
enough to lead movement in their in
terests If this new movement ever sue
ceeds. it must be managed by men VINO
are not off1ceseekers-who are outside OF
politics altogether. and must be infu-
enced by unselfsh considerations.
Few White Republicans.
| asked .Ir. Clark this morning if the
political Moses he was rocking for seven
years ago had been found. He smiled a
melancholy smile and replied that he had
not yet appeared.
How many white republicans have
you in South Carelnao'' l asked.
Il doubt if there are 4 hundred genuine
white republicans in this state, he re-
piled. and that includes the oficeholders.
How many business men in this state
have Joined the republican party since
talked with YOU seven years ago?
only few and they are off1ceholders.
How many white republicans have you
in the city Of Columbian
Not more than a dunen. At the same
time in matters Of opinion. multitudes OF
our business men. repre- senting the pro-
sressive and most intelligent element in
the state. believe in republican principles
and openly advocate several Of the planks
in the platform of the republican party.
but they continue to vote the democratic
ticket. for the simple reason that 1t is
impracticable to organize white repub-
lican. or. it would be better to say, a
white anti-democratc party. so long as
the negro is an issue
How long will that be-
NO one can tell. The white population
will not divide in politics as long as the
negroes remain solid, although tthey are
practically without political power today
personally. i am strongly of the opinion
that a white republican party could now
be organized among the business men Of
the south without regard TO the race ques-
ton. because | think that will take care
of itself in time. But we are waiting for
a leader. AS 1 told YOU seven years ago.
no man strong enough or patriotic enough
has appeared to command the necessary
following.
Condition of the Negroes.
us the negro population of south Car
DINA improving"
No
"Why not:"
Because the negro is still politics
and will never prosper until he submits
to the destiny that nature intended for
him and is satisfied to remain me-
oh 10 ia Jah
tic servant. When he comes to shat sub
mission he will be successful, prosper
Gus. happy and contented. But to Sc
cure those blessings he must abandon
all idea of political prefermcnt and
even the hope of sharing in the policies
of this country
South Carolina is gradually it.creas-
ing in wealth and prosperity We are
slowly moving upward. Agricultural
conditions in this state are better than
they ever have been. Both the cotton
and the corn crops last fall were ex-
cellent and the prices are very re-
muneratire. The agricultural products
of the south are not sufficient TO sup
ply the normal demand. The cotton
crop in this state is very valuable. and
the only dra wback is the depressed
condition OF the cotton goods market.
That has suffered Il severe reaction.
which may result in reducing the local
consumption and possibly lowering of
price.
Our cotton acreage remains about
the same year after year. although we
have a great deal of uncultivated land
which might be planted. That. how
ever involves an economic problem
that is century old. great Zeal of
that land has been worn out and could
not be redeemed except at a large eX-
pense. Another reason is that our la Dor
supply is limited. The great demand
for aDle-bodied men on public works
has attracted farm hands to the cities,
ra ilroad tracks and other enterprises,
SO that we actually haven't many
hands in the fields we had before the
war
Efforts to Get White Labor.
II understand you are attempting to
supply the deficiency by immigration"
There has been an attempt made in
that direction. and the legislature has
created bureau of immigration to bring
into the state from Europe a white ten
antry and a supply of agricultural la