The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-01-19
Mr.. Taft PROMISES
Us A SQUARE DEAL
WILL APPOINT ONLY FIT MEN
TO OFFICE IN SOUTH.
udge Welcomed to AtlantaCWarm-
" Cheered Throughout His Pro-
ress to Georgia Capital.

ress to Georgia Capital.
Atlanta, Ga., Jan, 15.-Presldent-
elect William H. Taft has been IN
the cordial and hospitable embrace of
Georgia all day. Recognizing the
climax of the varied and continuous
\ demonstrations in the brilliant and
imposing scene presented at the ban
quet here tonight, ne exclaimed with
Evidence Of great feeling:
|"I had not hoped to win the
South, but the South has won me-
The banquet was the most ambiti-
us event of its kind the city has ever
Undertaken. Participated in by more
han 500 of the city's representative
pen, it was gloried in by the entire
bopulation. The banquet and the
preceding eloquence Of welcome ex-
tended to Mr.. Taft in his reception
1t the capitol and at the Piedmont
hotel, where he was sought by thous.
ands,- constitute brilliant chapter
in his record of achievements south
of Mason's and Dixon's line.
"Talking through Georgia. is a
literal description of his trip today
from Augusta to Atlanta. And
wherever the special train, which At
lanta provided, came to a. halt there
were cheering crowds evidenclng
their cordiality by floral tributes, by
cheers, bands and speeches in which
the president-elect was told that he
was~respected,> admired, loved.
BILLY 'Possum.'.'
After the 'possum, 'taters and
shannon beer had been served, and
the many other courses of the feast,
he guests, led BY Inc orchestra,
broke into song. Judge Taft joined
heartily in the merriment. He was
presented with a "Billy 'possum, y
construed after the manner OF the
freddy Bear to be the emblem OF
lis administration.
He was also the recipient Of sill
Fer pocket water flask, bearing the
,oat Of arms of Georgia, the gift OF
Hrs. James Longstreet.
Besides Mr.. Taft the speakers
were: Asa G. Caudler, POSTMASTER
55ov. Hoke Smith, Mayor Robert +.
Maddox and Judge Thomas G. Jones.
Alabama, of the federal bench.
What was probably the most last
ng and impressive point Mr.. Taft
made was his expressed desire to ap-
point to federal positions in the
South only such men who stand high
as citizens in the localities in which
bhey live.
sFThe direct local effort Of a ma
tional administration upon the
South is felt chiefly through its local
officials, appointed and, exercising
their functions through the section.
and therefore the expression OF the
administration towards the Southern
people takes it's color in the charac-
Ter of those officials, and therefore
the administration may be properly
held accountable and its policies de-
terrnined by the qualifications, fit
hess and standing of the men appoint
ID to represent it in the districts and
States, Of the section. ; l realize
Eherefore, that expression Of sym
5athy with the South and an earnest
esire to bring it closer to the cen
al government in thought and ac'
on and feeling will have compare
velv little weight unless this ex'
ression is accompanied by such ap;
ointments in the South as shall
rove this sympathy to be real and
lbstantial.
can I can say with reference te
lie future policy of the adminlstra'
on in the South on this subject IS
aat I expect to spare no effort tc
md out the facts in respect to the
haracter of the proposed appointees
nd so far as in me lies, to select
hose Of character and reputation and
4anding in the community commend
EN- to their fellow citizens as per-
ms qualified and able to discharge
heir duties well, and whose presence
important positions will remove
any such things exists, the sense
ahenism in the government which
ley represent -