The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-08-14
POOR BILL TAT 7
The Wicked Hitchcock Said to
be Plotting to

| UNDO ALL HIS PLANS
To Break Solid South by. Giving
Weak Kneed Democrats a Chance
at the Republican Pie Counter in
Exchange for Their Support Of the
Taft Program.
President Taft's well-directed ef-
forts in fixing his policy towards the
South are threatened with rupture
if not destruction as the result of
the political games being played in
connection with the appointment Of
census supervisors, says P. H. McG.,
the Washington correspondent of
The News and Courier.
He says up to few days ago it
looked as though the appointments
to these places would be made by
Director Durand, of the census bu-
reau, with the Presidents approval.
Now, however, it has been learned
that the real power behind the
throne is none other than Frank
H. Hitchcock, aided by the Republi-
can referees from the various Dem
ocratic States.
1t has been known in Washington
for several days that so far as South
Carolina was concerned no appoint
ment as supervisors would be made
without the approval of John G.
Capers and Leumas Blalock, and
that in Virginia, another rock-rib-
bed Democratic State, Congressman
Slemp and Alvah Martin would be
consulted before anything definite
would be announced as to the ap-
pointments.
In addition TO. this it was learn
ed that Cecil Lyon, the head Of the
Republican machine in Texas, has
been here for several days holding
conferences with Mr.. Hitchcock and
that everything is now cut and dri-
ed for naming at least ten Repub-
lican supervisors In the Lone Star
State, which sends to Congress
delegation of sixteen Democrats.
That at least ten of the sixteen SUI
pervisors will be Republicans is
practically settled, and 1t is possible
that even a greater division may be
made.
1t is learned, too that Judge
Spencer Adams, the recognized
boss" of North Carolina Republ!-
can politics, has also been talking
over matters with Mr.. Hitchcock.
When seen and asked what would be
done in a general way regarding
these appointments, Judge Adams
knew nothing about them except
what he had heard or read in the
newspapers, and hardly knew that
there was such a man as Frank
Hitchcock. But, being on to him,
it did not take Washington corre-
spondents who haunt the postoffice
department long to figure out just
what his business might be here.
North Carolina has three Repub-
lican members Of Congress and sew
en- Democrats, and as President Taft
has already indicated that he would
appoint more supervisors Of the lat
ter party in States like North Caro-
lima, Virginia, West Virginia and
Missouri, where there Is a maraked
Republican tendency, it is probable
that in the division North Carolina
will get about six or seven Repub-
licans and three or four Democrats.
Though Georgia has no Republi-
cans in Congress. it is understood
that six Republicans will be appoint
ed there, leaving room for five DEM
ocrats. In Florida, Alabama and
other Southern States, where the
delegations are solidly Democratic,
and there is to be a supervisor for
the Congressional district, the diyi-
sion will be made equally between
the Democrats and Republicans ex-
cept that where there is an odd num-
ber of Representatives the odd man
will be from the Republican ranks.
1t is known that nothing can be
gained by the appointment Of a few
Republican supervisors in any of
the Southern States, and in those
sections overwhelmingly Democratic
it would probably be Mr.. Taft's de-
sire to give the places to the Demo-
Gratis, but for the pressure coming
from the Hitchcock machine for a
| division to be made strictly along
party lines with most of the pie on
the Republican side and what may
be split to go to hungry Democrats.
These appointments are small
things within themselves. and 1t Is
known that Mr.. Taft would gladly
let the Southern people have them,
| hut for tho raoconc inst given and