The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1912-10-20

sacola, United States district attor-
ney. died, and as some months pre-
vious Coombs and Sheppard had
buried the Ratchet, he gracefully ten
dered this position to Mr.. Sheppard,
and by the way, later supported him
successfully for appointment on the
death of Judge Swayne to the position
of United States judge for the north
ern district of Florida. A white man
named Hartford of Apalachicola was,
at Coombs's request, given an APP
pointment by Lee as deputy collector
of internal revenue.
His Wish Controlled.
His wish, of course, controlled the
appointment of the postmaster at Apa-
lachicola and adjoining cities, and by
the time about every white Republican
at least in Apalachicola, had secured
a federal job, it was noticed by those
noticing at that time that Joe Lee
was back on the job, more secure than
ever before even, and the old guard
was getting all the pie that Mr.. Roose-
welt had to distribute in Florida, more
easily and smoothly than ever before,
and Coombs ran his saw mill and Lee
ran the organization.
dress parade in Washington when
anything was wanted from the presi-
dent, but Lee was the man behind the
gun, and he kept his hand on the gun.
too. He had reached his goal by un-
firing and unrelenting perseverance
and the exercise of brains, extraordi-
nary ability and wonderful self-con-
troll, for all of these are his.
1,fx IN, o1r- =
realizing fully the power of control OF
the Organization" and also knowing
thoroughly the power of federal
against white man and friend against
friend. 1t had been necessary for
him to absolutely and personally con-
troll the organization.
Without such absolute control, he
knew the very people who abjectly did
his bidding would, il they saw safe
opportunity, turn on him and his days
of power would be gone. He could not
go as delegate to national conven-
lions and could not hold a federal of
flee.
And so it happened that a negro
superior one. I will admit. in menta
attachments, might hold a federal po-
| II
with at one time the greatest percent
| age of white Republicans of any state
in the south. was reduced to an Office
holding trust and every office holder
was expected to be a sycophant and 8
hypocrite-for every one was supposed
to swear, if necessary, that Lee was
| not the real boss.
White Man Carried Lees Grip.
I have seen a white Office holder
| carrying Lees overcoat and grip foi
| him, and have been told on good au-
| thority by one who saw them, thai
during the Chica go. convention OF 1908
! that Lee and a white Florida office.
| holder ate at the same table in a Chi.
| cago restaurant. / don't really believe
that Lee encouraged these attentions
but the extent to which thorough
office holding sycophant will carry hi:
sycophancy is herewith illustrated.
In 1Sa6aa special Pullman sleepinE
car was secured to carry the delegate:
/ to the national convention from Jack,
sonviIle to st. Louis. l refused to &C,
company the rest and went by myself
| by another route. Several of my
| friends urged me against my course
saving it would make Lee bite,
against me. guess | did not hole
him in such awe as most of them dit
for their arguments made no impress
sion on me.
Such details as the above are no
pleasant to relate, but they have sucl
bearing on the psychology of tt,
Republican party in the south. tina
/ for that reason only they are include,
| In this history.
| 1t is surprising that more has no
/ been known of the history of thi
wonderful character of Florida, and i
seems strange that l should in a wa,
/ be his biographer.
He is reputed to be wealthy, ha'
never been known to intrude himsel
where not wanted and is retiring am
In a native dignified way is defersn
tial to white people.
He can make the best speech OF