The Sun

Senator Conover of Florida is an interesting specimen of the carpet-baggers who are sent by negroes and Federal officials to represent the South in Washington. Conover landed in Florida a few years ago as a contract surgeon for colored troops. He soon went into business as a carpet-bag politician, and was elected to the Constitutional Convention. Harrison Reed was chosen Governor, and Conover was appointed Treasurer of the State. The ex-surgeon was as eccentric as the Treasurers of most other Southern States, and Florida, with its insignificant population, became responsible for millions of dollars. The Treasurer waxed wealthy as the Treasury waxed lean. Last November Conover was elected by the negroes of Leon county to the lower House of the Legislature. His next step was to the Speaker's chair, and being regarded as a lesser evil than the Osborn Ring, the Conservatives joined with a faction of negroes in electing him Senator. He has deceived the Conservatives, however, and all his influence has been exerted in behalf of the most disreputable gang of politicians that ever plundered a State. The Florida reformers may well regard their experience with Conover as a warning.