Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-09-07
Recent Political Movements.

Recent Political Movements.
Since our last issue, the city papers have
! been full Of new political movement at Rich
mond, sundry interviews of committee men
and newsmongers with Gen. Candy, the utter
ances Of that dignatory, and comments and
speculations thereupon. First, a Especial dis
patch from Richmond appeared in the Balti-
more San, announcing that in pursuance Of
an arrangement between Gen. Candy and some
nameless political managers, the members elect
of the Legislature who are unable to take the
test cath viii generally vacate. = If they hest
tate the public voice is likely to be raised in
denunciation against them" Very likely !
Very likely that men eligible under the Consti-
tuition Of the United States and the Constitu-
tion of Virginia, and fairly elected by the peo
pie, will vacate at the bidding of few insane
busybodies, and that the people will demand it !
Next, the Petersburg Enpress publishes a
letter from special correspondent" at Rich
mond, giving detailed account of an inter-
view between a committeeman and Gen.
Candy. This letter begins with the joyful cx-
carnations: Light at last We can now see
our way out of the woods! |" And what is the
cause of graduation Only this, that if all
the members Of the Legislature who cannot
take the test oath will resign, Gen. Candy will
order new election; and if then Eligible"
lin other words acceptable) men are returned,
the General will take measures necessary to the
full restoration Of the State government But
Gen. Candy demands also that the Conserya-
tive State Committee shall disband, asserting
emphatically, Il consider it standing nuisance
to me" The committee was grateful for
small favors, and as he retired said II heart
lily thank you, General, for the freedom with
which you have declared your views
The New York Herald has letter from
Richmond On the same subject. The writer
states that the plan for the resignation of the
memberselect was agreed to by ''the Walker
republicans and the ultra radicals, but opposed
by the representation of the democratic minor
ity." What Democratic minority there is in
the State, we do not know According to this
writer, however, Gen. Candy was embarrassed
by the want Of money Reconstruction funds
were nearly exhausted, and he doubted wheth-
er he would be justified in making an appro-
priation out of the State Treasury; but he was
willing 20 order new elections, in the event sug-
gested,' if some mode Of defraying the expen-
ses could be devised" We infer that our peo-
pie are expected to ''show proper spirit by
raising the money.
Lastly, the editor Of the New York San sent
a reporter to Richmond to have an interview
with Gen. Candy, and he gives US nearly two
columns of conversation The General is des-
cribed as "a tall gentleman of about fifty,
dressed in dark mixed business suit, an old
fashioned stand-up collar, and wide black
silk tie The sum and substance of what he
said is as follows: The Conservatives have ap-
pealed to the President about the test OATH
and the case had been referred to the Attorney
General. Meantime Gen. Candy has been or
dered to take no action in the premises till he
hears from the grand government In case the
test oath is enforced, the Legislature will be
without quorum, and new election will be
necessary. The General thinks the oath ought
to be modified. He has no fears that the fif
teenth amendment will fall through in the Vir-
ginia Legislature. There will not be dozen
votes against it. The people were very orderly
and well-behaved at the election. They show
disposition to be lawabiding, and desire to
govern themselves and conform to the laws
| The Washington correspondent Of the Bal
tinlore Gazette, commenting On these recent
movement, says that Gen. Candy can give no
guarantee Of carrying out the proposed COM
pact, as he may be transferred tomorrow. But,
says the writer, admitting that new men are to
be authorized by somebody to be elected; and
suppose, further, that they could stake the
| oath g. What ether monstrous invention and
tyranny may not be expected? The people Of
that State may rest assured that unless the
new men" shall prove to be real bona ,fde
Radicals Of the acceptable stripe, the whole of
the refractory members will, on some pretence
or other, be kicked out Of the Assembly with
as little ceremony as Cromwell disposed of the
Bump Parliament! What is wanted by the
Radicals is the unbroken vote Of the South
Nothing less viii satisfy them. "Now, cousin,
dost thou understand me?''