Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-09-17

&ahefe as the Ruler Of vi-ci,fsa,

esaaVh as tne Ruler Of Virginia.
Under the sensational caption, ssVir
"ginia-The power behind the Throne
Sin Politics-How the railroad interest
''is trying to control the State" The
Chicago "Times" publishes a letter
from Richmond containing the follow
ing:
RICHMOND, Va, September Al be-
lieve | have already mentioned Gener-
al William Malone, president of the
Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad
Company, in this correspondence. as the
political .power behind the throne in
this States but if the sTimes" do not
present more fully in its columns it will
defraud and disappoint not only the tx
listing generation, but all posterity, for
the General is already historic person
age, and his prominence will increase as
his influence on menland events here and
elsewhere becomes better known. How.
ever much opinions, may differ as to
Mahone, his measures, etc, there is no
question as 70 the great extent of his
power in Virginia; How he has ac-
CURED this power, ii. is difficult to ex~
PLAIN, unless We accept the theory that
ne Is one OF those men born to rule and
command, and who, subdue men and
circumstances to ttHiefr win by the 'duiet
operation Of mental and moral Qualities
inherentm them. A poor boy of Jerru-
salem, Northampton County. Of Irish
descent, he became a general in the
Confederate army, aiia is now president
OF the great railway line running across
the State from Norfolk to Bristol, Ten ,
with a salary of $4,000 a year. But
there are other men who were Confed-
crate generals and are now railroad
magnates, yet none of them have a
1.-THE Of the political control which Ma.
hone possesses and has held for years.
l have no purpose of going into detail
OF what he has done, or had done, or is
generally belived to have shaped; and l
merely state in a general way that re
is known to have directed the political
and railroad policy of this Common
wealth, in and out of the Legislature,
ever since 1869, and to have made and
marred both men and measures at his
pleasure. In this view, OF course, ii
follows that to him is particularly due
much credit for the present comparative
ly peaceful condition of affairs here
but, as always happens to a leading
spilit i'll public matters, he is now bit,
terly opposed by many who decry his
motives, denounce his policy, and 1e
volt at what they call his overbearine
and dictatorial temper After all, how,
ever, Mahonism, as attacked, is rather
the creation of the Mahonites than o.
General Malone himself, and he i.
made responsible for many things that
he knows nothing of, and of others tina
he cannot control That he is surroun
ded and followed by throns of sneak.
! and sycopants, who do many things in
his name without his kno Wedge or ap-
prevail is rather his misfortune than hi.
fault, and is due rather to the meanness
and servility of the clientele than an,
bad qualities of the patron. It is re.
! marketable to zee how he is accepted as
leader by SO many of the Virginians
ptsr excellence who have IF. 3. v" ,,n.
! dsrstood, if not expressed, after their
| names, notwithstanding the humbleness
Of his origin. He is the chief opponen,
of ''Vlrginialis FOR Virginians," the Wig
orous champion of Virginia railroad
policy, as opposed to free railroads ano
| the chartering of roads that may divert
trade and travel from Virginia cities
and ports Is Others outside Of her Dor
ders, and it is now believed that he is
lending his countensnce to- the third
term movement. Mahones enemies
tiatter themselves that his power is wan
ing, and that they, backed by the aid o.
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany and other influences, will be able
to defeat him at all poiits,and especial
ly in his railroad policy in the fight, fol
which all parties are preparing, that is
expected to take place in the Geteral
Assembly this winter But it is boast
OF the Generals friends that he was new
er defeated in any engagement during
the late war and they feel CONFIDENTIAL
he will still continue to be victorious
over all opposition, no matter how com
bined. AS to the personal appearance
of General Malone, he is Of slight fig
ure, below the average height, with
bright, keen eyes, sharp features, sallow
complexion, apd with dark hair worn
long He is often costumed in cadet
gray, of Quakerish cut, and wears tall
wide-brimmed felt hat, with one side
usually fastened up. His appearance is
striking, if not commanding