Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-16
CRUM'S PLACE FILLED
President Names Ourant for
Charleston Collector.
ENDS LONG, HARD FIGHT
Nomination Indorsed by the South
Carolina Delegation.
ENDS LONG, HARD FIGHT
NEW SYSTEM OF PATRONAGE
Southern Democrats Jubilant Over
What Is Regarded as Innovation
by President Taft.

President Taft today sent 10 tho senate
the name of Edward ". Durant. Jr.. TO be
collector Of customs at the port OF
Charleston. s. {. This means not only the
end of long wrangle over this federal
office, precipitated and kept alive bv
President Roosevelt through the repeated
nomination of William ID. Crum. negro.
for this position. but also that the peo-
pie of South Carolina. democrats as well
as republicans. are to be consulted in tho
matter of federal appointment.
Southern democrats believe that IT is
the beginning OF an entirely new sys
tenn of disposing of the federal patron
age throughout the south. They are juhi-
liant, and they feel very kindly toward
Mr.. Taft for this move.
While Senator Tillnan of South Caro-
lima, who fought tooth and nail to pre-
vent the confirmation of crum. and did
so over and over again, Was not the man
who recommended Mr.. Durant's nomi-
nation. il nevertheless became known
at the White House that Senator Till
man was perfectly satisfied with the new
nominee. 1t is even rumored that Mr..
Tillman consulted in the matter by
persons close to Mr. Taft.
Consequently. there is no doubt that
the nomination OF Mr.. Durant will be
confirmed quickly and unanimously 10y
the Senate.
.Capers No Longer in Control.
Another thing which the democrats Of
South Carolina believe is indicated by
this nomination is the end Of the con-
troll of the federal patronage of that
state by John q. Capers, commissioner
of internal revenue of the United States
and national republican committeeman
for South Carolina and his elimination
as factor in appointments in that state
1t is generally understood by South
Carolnians that Mr. Capers Is the man
who first brought Mr.. Roosevelts atten-
ton to Crum and also kept him fresh
in the Presidents mind. The democrats
of South Carolina, especially of Charles
ton. have had little use for Mr.. Capers
on lis account as we'll as on others. They
knew that President Roosevelt practically
allowed Mr.. Capers full sway in the state.
everything was different. however. In tho
case of Mr. Durant. He is the son OF
| Edward w Durant. sr.. Well known III
Minnesota. where he was a state senator
| for many years and was a democrat until
the nomination of William Jennings
Bryan in 1895. Since that time he mas
affiliated with the enemy" and is rated
as republican in good standing The
young man is very much like his father.
il is said. He has been republican In
politics all his life. He came to Charles
ton about seven years ago and has ever
since been growing up with the country.
Choice of Business Men.
During Mr.. Taft's visit to Charleston
before his Inauguration the leading bust
ness men of that city quietly got to-
gether and agreed that Mr.. Durant would
be the very best republican that Presi-
dent Taf. could select As collector of the
port of that city The tip, it is said.
was just quietly passed on to Mr.
Taft and also to National Chairman
Hitchcock. To both of these men tho
action of these business men is said 10
have been very satisfactory.
A few days after the Inauguration of
President Taft Mr.. Durant came to this
city and was presented To the President.
II was not Mr.. Capers. but Mr.. Hitch
cock, who did the presenting. Mr.. Durant
also talked over the telephone with SEN
ator Tillman. and everything was rosy.
II will therefore he with no surprise
that the South Carolinian senators and
The business men of Charleston learn to-
day of the nomination of Mr.. Durant.
Neither Senator 'rillman nor his brand
new colleague. Mr.. Smith, WIS at the
Capitol today.