Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-10-07

an extra" on the street. George went
out and bought one. He came in read
ing the headline about war having
broken out in the Philippines.
I took the paper and read over the
account Of Aguinaldo's attack on Ma
.nilla. was fairly well posted on the
international complication likely to
follow the defeat Of the treaty. knew
how small an army we had away
across the Pacific amid population
Of eleven million people. To defeat
the treaty meant that the Philippines
were not American territory, and Ger
many and France would claim that
they had as much right to land troops
as we did to protect the lives and
property Of their citizens.
The feeling in Europe was intensely
hostile to America; most Of the Span
ish bonds were held in France, secur-
ed by the revenues from Cuba. Ger
many wanted the Philippines herself.
There is no doubt that II the English
admiral had not stated that II the Ger
man fleet interfered he would come to
Dewey's aid, that the story Of the bat
tie OF Manila Bay would have been a
bloody and humiliating one for Amer
loans to read. iH f
It would also encourage Aguinaldo
to redouble his efforts to see congress
refuse to support the president. I
spent sleepless night and went to
the Capitol next morning. The feeling
with senator's on our side was that
now was the time to strike the Repub-
licans blow. talked to several SEN
ators on both sides before we went
into executive session. wanted to
vote for the treaty, but I was afraid,
that is the truth. Little things often
change mans whole life.
Senator Jones came to my seat and
said he had heard that I was going to
vote for the treaty. resented that,
because had never said that I was.
I told him that had not said so. but
that / had a very positive conviction
as to how he, and every other DEM
ocrat ought to vote. His reply was to
the effect that did not dare do 1t. /
quietly told him that intended to
vote for the treaty, let happen what
would. / was somewhat strengthened
In my determination because Mr.. Bry-
an had spent several days In Wash
ington urging Democrats to vote for
the treaty. He was big enough to look
further than petty partisanship. There
were other Democrats who voted with
me, but seemed to be singled out as
the scapegoat. ,..
| The Democratic caucus refused to
give me committee assignments, and
during the balance Of my term went
my own way. man without party.
3 Patronage began before the Spanish
treaty, etc. There was a very objec-
tionable negro in a postoffice at Lake
city. He was defiant and had insult
ed ladies more than once. A mob
burned his house with him and think
some Of his family, in 1t. The north
ern press teemed with sensational
stun, and Senator Mason introduced a
resolution for a committee Of investi-
CATION. I knew what that meant and
wanted our people spared the humili-
alton.
I went to the White House and had
a short talk with Mr.. Mckinley. He
asked me to come back at p. m,
when We would go thoroughly into
the matter. That night never made
such a talk as I did to the president
all alone. caught him at once.
took him back to the close Of the war,
through the horrors Of reconstruction,
and made him see 1876. like a picture
on the wall. / have always thought If
I never did anything else that paid
South Carolina that night in full for
anything she ever did for me.
I told him the history Of the negro.
When I was elected to congress In
1892 he was postmaster at small
town in Florence county. He had in
suited not once, but several times, la
dies who came to the Office. Finally II
was determined II there was no other
way, to kill him. A friend Of mine
advised me Of what was going on and
I went down to Florence and talked
the thing over with one Of the best
men in the neighborhood. I promised
him that would go to Washington
and see the authorities. I put the sit
uation up to Gen. Clarkson, and told
him that. the people did not intend to
submit He removed him at once on
my verbal statement. Afterward he
moved over to Lake City and next
heard Of him being burned up In his
house for his outrageous conduct.
, The Mason resolution was put to
sleep, and Mr.. Mckinley asked me If
when applications were made for Of
fee, would I not advise him about the
candidates as he wanted to appoint
good men. I said yes, that I would,
Dut lildI IL WOulu hcNSi oo " oPpShis
negroes to be postmasters. The white
Republicans Of good character were So
few that after a while, at his sugges-
ton, I began to recommend such mei'
as Richardson, Dunnoyant and others
who were appointed as Democrats AMI
have been holding as Democrats e1sr
since. I had chance to get rid of ne
gro postmasters and did 1t.
I cared nothing about patronage af-
ter I had accomplished this. l had
Mr.. Jno. G. Capers, son of the bish-
op, appointed district attorney. intro
duced him to Mr.. Mckinley and wash
ed my hands Of the matter. Mr.. Ca
pers appointed the best white men he
could get and did a great deal for this
state in that way. do not deny that
I appointed men to office who were
friends Of mine. My friends are good
men and make the best officeholders
that know Of.