The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-02-08
Disreputable PARTY Tactics.

Jos. JORGENSEN.
Disreputable Party Tactics
Our columns this morning contain various
articles showing the character OF the wit
nesses now being employed by the Demo-
Gratis In Washington to make ont case for
Mr.. Tilden before the Presidential Counting
Tribunal. 4 close examination OF them will
exhibit an amount of periidy and moral tur-
pftude scarcely ever before exposed or emf
plpyed to effect conclusion in so grave an
Issue.
We find the principal attorney OF Mr.. Til
den resorting to all the devices and sharp
practices OF the professional trickster, and
engaging the services OF the most brazen
raseals to encompass the object in question.
Mr.. David Dudley Field occupies the posi-
ton he does, with attending circumstances
that remove him very slightly from the level
Of Maddox, Pickett and 1.ittletield. He was
prominent Republican. and supported
Hayes on the day OF election AMI voted for
him for President. Two weeks aftcrward,
when a vacancy had occurred In a demo-
cratic Congressional district in New York
city by the election OF Mr.. Ely to the mayor
atty, Mr.. Field, Hayes Republican, was
nominated by Tilden Democratic caucus to
f;ll the vacancy, and was elected. lie ac-
cepted the position, appeared in Washing
ton, the committee ON the powers snd privi-
leges OF Congress WAS enlarged, and MIR.
Field placed on It and took possession OF 1t,
substantially superseding the chairman. and
conducting the entire examination OF Wit
nesges on the democratic side. With these
points In view, it Is not unreasonable to as
sumo that his election was the work of Mr..
Tilden, and that he is now in Washington,
nominally member Of Congress. but really
Nr. Tllden's paid attorney. His retention
In the cases of Fisk. Tweed, and ether crimi-
pals OF New York city, well schooled him
for the intricate and questionable practice in
which he Is now engaged.
The conspiracy Matched by Maddox and
Pickett, first to secure the management OF
81, 000,0 900 either from the Republican Or
Democratic party, and failing, then to ap-
pear as witnesses to expose a perfidious
scheme which they had coneocted to cheat
Louislana out Of her vote, was known to
Merrissey, Hewitt, Tiden and Field. The
plan had all been arranged, and the electio n
Of Field to Congress was the elimination OF
It, 20 far as the arrangement OF the plan was
concerned.
The next part of the programme was to
declare the Ret urning Board of Louisiana
In contempt OF Congress; to incarcerate
them, tie them hands and feet, then gag
them, and while in that condition call Mad
aox, Pickett and T.ittletield to the stand to
rehearse their part Of the infamous con-
spiracy. 1t was at first refused Wells to tes-
tlfy in rebuttal OF the evidence OF Littlefeld
and Maddox. They were allowed to stab
Wells while the committee held his hands
aad feet. The infamy of the proceedings
began to arouse public Indignation; the press
denounced It unsparingly. and fearing they
were carrying the plot too far, and exposing
themselves to public reprobation. they finally
consented to call Wells to the stand, after
an earnest appeal from that gentleman to be
aleard. The main facts. OF the evidence are
given elsewhere.
What we purpose 60 briefly comment on
at this time Is the character OF the evidence
and the witnesses, and the result involved.
1t Is known that Gov. Hayes has 1856 cleo
toral votes, fortified by all the forms OF law,
aud is legally and eonstitationally elected
President. The object in the proceeding in
situated by Field, as the attorney for Tilden,
IS to establish fraud in the securing OF Il por-
slon al this vote. To that end me has intro
.Siuced three witnesses, who confess that they
aee raseally Adventures. and that they have
been stimulated in all their movements by
the hope of mereeaary gain. We.fnl Maddox
ready to trade either Tor Tilden or Hayes,
and falling la Inducing the representatives
OF either party to aeeede to his proposition
to furnish 81, GOO, 009 to control the State Of
Louisiana, he connects the scheme OF at
tempting to criminste Wells in plot to de-
fraud Tllden out Of the rot. OF Louisiana.
and then sells himself and che infamous
fraud to the Democratic party, which,
Through Fields, readily accepts and appro-
er;ates them.
It ls by such Observation-Disclosures that Ct, e
management OF rilden's interest are endeav-
oRfne to secure the Presidency for him. A
mere glance st the motives and measures in
connection with the great object in contro-
yersy. must shock the moral sense of the ma
ton, There never has been. in the history
OF the country, such an 1nhlushing appro-
prfatlon OF fraud-the employment OF self
convicted yascals, and ali the devices and
resorts Of an artful and unscrupulous attor-
ney, as are presented in this contest for the
Presidency.
Taking the issue IS now presented. and
Mr.. TildenFs threat some time
ago. shat II the then disputed States OF the
South were counted for Hayes, he would
the most stupendous legal con-
Test ever ,ssat upon record. we are inclined to
the belief that the idea of 1'ripartite Tri-
bunai to count the vote for President, origi-
mated with hin-that Maddox, Pickett and
TittleGeld were engaged for the very purpose |
they have been used-that Field was elected |
70 Congress as part OF the programme-and |
hat the entire scheme is the wcrk of Mr.. |
rildesk's ingenious and busy rain.
We believe the whole conspiracy will fail
That Hayes will be declared the President
elect, and that the parties to the scheme of
iefraudlng him out Of the votes legally cast
Tor him, will meet with the scornful repro
oafion OF the fair minded Of both political
a party that has to depend
upon such testimony and such witnesses as
are presented in the persons of Maddox,
Llttlefield and Pickett, cannot hope for sue
sess. and certainly will not achieve 1t before
Tribunal such as is now sitting to hear and
aetermine the ease.