New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-26
a STRUGGLE FOR POLITICAL LIFE.


MEN OF VIRGINIA HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES
EX-CoxGREssMAN RAINEY DEFENDS THEIR
COURSE
lBY TELEGRAPH TRrBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-ExCongressman
ranev is now all agent OK the Internal Revenue De
psrment and he has recently spent several days In
Virginia Being a coored mau, and having made an
oeeut business record In Congress. he is naturally
gsred as one OF the leaders of his race These facts
give great value his opinions In regard 20 political az
fairs in Virginia with which he has taken occasion to
make himself familiar. Mr. Rainey gives the following
statement to a correspondent Of The TRIBUNE:
81 went to Virginia q 'funder because always be-
,eve in having an honest debt soon found out though
that Republicans who had figured with the Readjusters
were not regulators. and had idea whatever OF
pudaiiug any honest obligations OF virginia The fight
that they were making that question. but it
was in regard to their political rights.
1.-THE Republicans have been oppressed for a long
time by some most infamous and barbarous legislation,
inaucurated by Democracy; and they have sought
by every legal method get relieved. but nothing could
he done The whipping post still exists In Virginia The
payment of the captatiOn tax IL made prerequisite OF
voting Educational facilities are denied The chain
gang system and the law against intermarrage OF the
races with many other oppressive awsare III operation.
The capitation law is especially obnoxious Men who
arc anxious TO secure make II convenient means
Of bribery Tho Democrats offer TO pay the tax for
moor Republicans and thus seek TO induce them to vote
The Democratic ticket What Is wanted IL that the tax
shall be collected and the ballots be cast as entirely n
deuendent actions. The Republicans have suffered.
also from unjust partisan judges They have 100 judges
anpon,ed in the sate OF Virginia. and these have the
mower OF appointing election commissioners judges OF
election This power II always exercised IN partisan
way giving no show whatever to Republicans.
:. The prime motive which Induced the Republicans to
affiliate with the ReadJustors Is found In the promise
held ont TO them that all these obnoxious laws should
- and that EepubcanR hereafter should have
fair opportunty not only their opinions. but
n have their votes honestly counted They would have
liked very much 10 elect Republican to the United
States seuate but neither the Funders the Re-
adlusters would affiliate with them for tins purpose. 1t
vas conceded 10 be hopeless The consequence is that
thew have agreed 10 work with the Readjusters and
INV bave holped TO elect General Malone 10 the United
gates Senate General Malone has thus far
evipced o disposition TO carry out all his pledges
faithfully lie declares that he VIII henceforth
vigorously oppose the principles and practices OF the
old Bourbon or Conservative party In Virginia, and
will seek TO the leader Of more liberal party
have heard it said. and know many Republicans bc-
Ieve that he will act with the Republicans in the
senate or at least act independently OF the Democrats
From what have seen. am satisfied that there can
be no future harmony between the Fundes ana the Re
adiusters There Is breach wide and deep between
them nns sec believe the masses arc with tho Re-
adusters but the wealth and arisocracy are WIN Tue
think 1t unjust toward the Republicans Of Virginia
to charge them orsakIng their party aud forming
sn ,sr noos hfe and bary II they fail 10 this effort
their last chance Will have lecn swept away ,nd there
virginia bu in other Southern ststes The Rsadinsters
n ,Si candidate. in witnessing The count
ing OF votes. and In oases OF CONTEST W pr.
c,Rs asnti nnd II due TO . aei
that the Republican representation ID Tue Legislature