Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-12-21
AS ADVISER OF Mr.. TAFT.
Interesting Political Story BY Way
of Washington.

Interesting Political Story BY Wa,
Of Washington.
Washington, December 18: Ir
these modern and radiant days OF
Big Bill Taft, what has become OF
that ancient and honorable institu-
ton formerly designated "Republi-
can Referee" beatifcally trans
mogrified, as you may recall, under
the be-accurate dispensation Of Hon.
George Bruce Cortelyou into "ad-
viser"-but regardless of nonencla-
ture, where is he at? In brief,
Who's 1t in South Carolina when II
comes to pie?
The man who secured the nomina-
ton Of Louis c. Kuker to be post
master Of Florence and s. Koke King
to be postmaster at Darlington was
Maj. James Calvin Hemphill, editor
of the Charleston News and Courier
and Mr.. Taft's closest and most con-
fidential friend in South Carolina. Cap
tain John G. Capers, Republican na-
tional committeeman and erstwhile
referee" for South Carolina recon-
mended other men for these Offices.
Capt. Caper's recommendation have
been wont to go in South Carolina
postmasterships. General Francis
H. Hitchcock, political charge
d'Affairs of the Administration, still
consults him about these offices, but
q bigger than the general has been
taking a hand. Senator e. D. Smith,
who represents Florence In the SEN
ate and who had the power Of hold
ing up any appointment Objectionable
to him, did his durnest," in the
language Of the classic poet, to in
fiuence the president to name another
man for Florence. But there was one
more potent in the councils Of the
president than the senator, and the
majors man was named.
Captain Capers says he is no longer
Referee" or Adviser" In the estab-
lished sense. $50 far as I know
there isn't any such job. he says. 81
have retired to my private law prac-
tice and am devoting my time to II.
intending not to accept any further
political Office. OF course. until the
next national convention am still
the national committeeman, and
having advised about South Carolina
offices so long, and still desirous Of
seeing good men In office as well as
to see the party prosper in South
Carolina, why whenever am asked
to advise, advise. When ] am not
asked, I have nothing to say" In
passing 1t is an evidence Of Mr.. Ca
per's sincerity that he has had the
refusal of at least two good Federal
appointments since he left that of
general revenue commissioner.
Now upon the election Of Mr.. Taft
a different polic.' with respect to APP
pointments in the south was deter
mined upon. Mt, Taft had been down
to Greensboro, n, c., several years
before he was an active candidate
for the presidency. There he shocked
his fellew Republicans who for sew
ersl years had been engaged in one
continuous and conspicuous exhibition
aasffsht over Federal patronage by
telling them that the Republican
party in the south would be better
off II the Democrats neld all the Of
fees. He seems not altogether to
have got that idea out Of bis head,
and it is believed, he would have en-
tered upon q Wholesale policy of ap-
pointing Democrats to office had 1t
not been for the more astute politi-
cal head of his postmaster general
and chief political adviser. There is
q difference only Of judgment be-
tween Mr.. Taft and Mr.. Hitchcock.
The object Of each Is to break the
solid south. Mr.. Taft thinks he can
do 1t by coddling few Democrats
with Republican leanings.- and while
Mr.. Hitchcock does not wholly dis
agree with this idea he wants to be
quite sure of the leanings. Mr.. Taft
seems willing to take greater
chances on this score. The regular
aforetime referees" have not been
formally abolished or superseded 80
much as they have been just sort o.
defunctionized, as it were, perhaps
temporary and experimentally in or
der that the beaming and pursuasive
personality Of the big hearted Bill
Taft might beam direct.
This peronality has been beaming
upon the Charleston editor ever since
that famous Gander and Hen incl
dent, when the News and Courier
conducted a rattle for the Bryan
campaign fund. This tickled the Re-
publican candidate very much and
his attention was riveted upon the
bitter attacks upon Mr.. Bryan which
The News and Courier had made be-
fore the Denver convention, and the
scarcely yelled partiality Of its edi-
tor for the Republican candidate
during the campaign. While Mr..
Taft knew Major Hemphih before
that, having been entertained In
Charleston in that most hospitable
and charming manner for which
Is famous. in which en-
the editor Of the News
and Courier was naturally conspicu-
ous, ewing not so much to his posi-
tien as to his own pleasing and corr
dial personality. But this Gander
and Hen incident seemed to have
been an especial bond Of union.
Twice since he was elected president,
Mr. Taft has visited Charleston, and
Major Hemphill has visited the pres
ldent here, their friendship being at
each meeting intensified.
Fhe Gander and Hen incident you
understand. was joke. Mr.. Taft
likes a joke and he likes man who
gets off good one. But the presi-
dent Is not all jokes. That campaign
last fall wasn't any Joke. He meant
business, and at one. time Mr.. Bryan
was pushing him so close and the
middle west as we'll as New York
showed such signs Of Republican dis
tbot ba pot all verif1ed