The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-12-16
Editorial Washington Notes.

ices within its gift have been assigned to eX-
Confederate soldiers. This might have been
expected, RS there are over eighty Confederate
soldiers now in tic national councils. There I
would lave been no surprise excited had a due |
been observed, by making somewhat equal
division. The postmaster of the House, Capt |
j. NJ. Stewart, of Alexandria, had sixteen SUBJ |
ordinate positions to dispose Of. These were
given to Virginia, with the exception of one
frem Connecticut, all OF whom, with this eN-
ception, had to take the modified form of the
oath Of Office. 1t seems that Mr.. Stewart re-
appointments himself, leaving the other eight
to the disposal of the Virginia Democratic
Congressman. There are very harsh com
ments in reference to the exclusively Virginian
appropriation of the post office patronage, and
strong disposition manifested to revolt against
it, threats even going so far as to intimate that
The abolition of the office of post master to
Congress may result.
In this connection there has been severe
criticism, from Democratic sources, of Col.
Withers for the persistency with which he has
intcrposel to promote the interest lf his fani-
ly, going so far as to ask the recommendation
of his son-ill-law for place under Stewart.
and urging his appointment when, by uni
versally conceded courtesy, the designations be-
long to the members OF the House. Withers,
however. succeeded. had Cook appointed, and
| is now ready to chter upon crusade against
the President on the score OF nepot.sm.-
We all remember the character of his haIulent
speeches, the facility Of his denunciation, and
the ex rene carnestness OF his patriotism, in
arragning the President on the charge of nep-
otism. Withers, as a statesman, however, is
great failure, not siisng to the dignity Of y
| fourth rate politician.
| It is estimated by reliable Democratic au-
thority, that there &ere fifteen thousand APP
plcants for the two hundred and fifty offices
at the disposal of the House; about Ave thou
SIND of these were from Virginia, and more
of the capital. The ferry boats and the local
trains from alexandria were jamined each
hour in the day with pilgrims to this political
Mecca-caeh man with his pedigree and a re-
cord Of his services for the Conservative cause.
attested by whole reams Of signatures and en-
dorsemetts. 1t was significant exhibition of
the nRseltish devotion to the country of the
immaculate Conservative party of Virginia,
whose motto is everything for the cause and
nothing for men. 1t is true, the charge has
been made that the Republican party of Vir-
ginia is a party of osice seeke.s, scalawags,
carpet-baggers and negroes. That may be sill
so in the estimation OF these sclf-sacrifeing pa
triots. But if ever the Republican party
soewed out a more greedy, greasy, ssedy, I'M
savory following. than represented the Demo-
cratic party of the country. and especially of
Virginia, daring the days of the organization
OF the House, it has never yet been recorded in
print.
Considerable interest was manifested in
| Washington about the election of United States
Senator from Virginia. The general sentf-
ment was in favor of Senator johnson, the
present incumbent. He is regarded as safe
man, OF good Judgment, nnblemished eharac-
| ter and above the little devices and tricks OF
the partizan. The cosmopolitan character OF
Withers' citizenship is frequently remarked
upon. 1t is said he was elected Lieutenant
Governor as a citizen OF Southwest Virginia,
having carpet-bayged from I.ynchbarg to Sc
cure that position. He then carpet-bagged to
Richmond, where he registered and voted,
and then drew mileage from the southwest,
when he took his sent as President of the Sen
ste. He was elected United States Senator as
Il citizen of Richmond, and then after draw
ling his pay as Lieutenant Governor for the
session OF the Legislature preceding his guali-
lication as United States Senator. carpet-bag
ged over to Alexandria, where he now claims
his residence. This migratory disposition, it
is claimed, is all right in Conservative, al
though Conservatives criticise the versatility
of the taste. How would It be, if such had
been the unsettled citizenship OF Republican
/ Office seeker and holder?
| Various speclllations are made about the
next Presidency, Some predict that it will
be Grant, others that 1T will be Bristow, ard
no small number that Jewell will be the lucky
man. Intelligent Conservatives, whose opin-
ions in time past have been regarded as au-
thority in the Conservative party, eeneede
that either. if nominated, will be elected, and
not only that, bat will carry Virginia One OF
/ the best informed and most intelligent Con-
servatives in Virginia remarked the other day
Oh The cars. that there was no hope for the
/ Democratic party in 1876, that the atmosphere
about the present Congress was dis gushing the
rejecting portion Of the party, and that Vir-
ginia WAS certain for the Republican party, il
tile national convention Of that persuasion
made judcicus nominations.
The Democratic members from Virginia are
very reteent They cannot be provoked to
give an expression of an opinion as to the frl-
tnre OF their party. or the probabilities of next
year. They speak of the Presidents message
as unfortunate in its illusions to the etlucatio,l-
al question, claiming that it is too bold in its
centrazng tendencies, and that the States
ought to have the exclusive privilege of regr-
latng the public schools. It was to that par
tcnlar point the President, doubtless, had ref
erehce when suggesting an amendment to the
national constitution to fix the public schools
i as an iiTeverslbae policy of the country There
| is too mWeh nroneness in some OF the States
south OF the Potomac to impair the efficiency
4 Of the public schools, and to submit dhem to
the varying whims and capriccs that spring
froIG nhpnlthy nrpil1tlirpS 1,ha oitiza,. rs