The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-08
General Malone.

his paper HIS SuCCecuSu-H any
deliberate purpose on its part-to conspi-
cuous position of hostility to the nomina-
ton OF General MALONE for Governor OF
Virginia. This opposition was begun in
motives as strictly public and personally
disinterested rs ever actuated the mind OF
man. Believing that General MAHoNE's
policy was hurtful to Virginia, and espe-
cially injurious to Richmond, we have for
years opposed his measures most earnestly
and most conscentiously.
In the process OF this opposition we dis
covered much in the usages and expedients
of General MALONE that We considered
most censurable and calculated to impair
the public sense Of honor. There was
steady pursuit Of purposes which needed
popularity and aid in the legislative coun-
ellis, and to obtain these a permanent lobby
was maintained in the General Assembly,
and General MALONE acquired skill and
displayed an art that were so expert and
adroit that he Won the name of the King
of the Lobby''-a title not commendable for
a Governor of Virginia.
salary OF $4,000 per annum, is utterly de-
void of anything that can commend him Tor
administrative ability. On the contrary, it is
replete with blunders in finance and blind
ness in the most practical affairs that facii-
tated the passage of the extensive road he
governed into the hands Of the receiver,
and his own fame into that maelstrom
of lost regulations where are wandering
| the ghosts CT many superior to his own.
We say our opposition to General MALONE
began in antagonism to his policy and mea-
sures. Towards his official and not his per-
sonal concerns was our aversion directed.
When, after his ejectment from the rail-
road, he began to skirmish for the office of
Governor Of Virginia, we considered his
movement as one Of the coolest we ever
knew. To attempt to step from his plat
form as fallen railroad man into the noble
| and exalted chair Of Governor OF Virginia
was an act Of effrontery that seemed to be a
taunt OF the Virginia people. His career as
railroad man left him without single
thing to commend him to public trust either
| as prudent or a sagacious administrative
man. And having never been in public po-
! litical life, his claims as a statesman were
nil. Not a single point had his advocates
to go upon.
Still we had no desire to 60 into the cam
paign to oppose General MALONE, notwith-
standing that we knew some Of the very
best people in Virginia thought with us
that no man who ever figured in Virginia
had done so much to debauch the State as
General MALONE had. The canvass, we
knew, would be most disagreeable, espe-
cially because General MALONE having a5so-
lutely nothing save what was to his disad-
vantage to discuss, the campaign, so far as he
was concerned, would degenerate into mere
personalities. For this we held back and
purposed not to embark in the agitation.
We felt that all would 60 right and that the
State was not in danger Of taking as ruler
man without one single thing to commend
him, and with many things against him.
This paper, however, was not permitted
to rest quiet and leave the campaign to Its
course We were badgered and tainted in
an uncomfortable manner, and were forced
to enter the arena. Having done so, we
have spoken out as frankly and as pointediy
as truth and justice required, and such has
been the rude and inciyil manner In which
| the advocates Of General MALONE have con-
Quoted the contest that to-day we feel more
decided than ever faith in the justice of our
opposition, and conviction that no man
was ever presented for the Office of Gov
er1or whose election would be so unfortu-
nate for the State as that of General MA
HONE
His canvass is merely personal, Heissus-
tanned mainly by retaincrs and personal adj
herents-men who in great part expect per-
soBal advantage from shis elevation. H. he
should he Governor his administration will
be essentially personal. Even now men are
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