The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-13
THE NEW PARTY.

THE NEW PARTY.
There was time in Virginia politics-a
time which began when The colony first de-
served that name, end which lasted until
the year OF our Lord 1s79-when it was
thought that the Government was to be
administered for the good OF the people,
and 10 that end that 10 appointing the off,
GERS who were TO administer it the sine qua
non should be-frst, integrity; and second,
fitness. May God help us; that time is now
gone, and in place OF the idea that ruled
then has been substituted the principle in
yolyed in the catchwords and phrase OF Une
uict;s, and-to the victor belong the spoils.
III it were not sckening, II it did not
arouse indignation and wrath, it would be
delightfully."- comical to considerthc entirely
commercial view which the Repudiators'
caucus took OF the matter OF filing the offices
| of the State government. The question OF
whether the individuals who are proposed
to be placed in Office would give good gov
ernment to the people OF the State was not
thought worth moments consideration;
while every one agreed that the guiding
star of organization should be ratablc dis
trbu;ion OF plumber amongst those who had
conquered.
| The committee to which the distribution
| OF plunder was allotted reported that all
minor offices should be distributed amongst
the various congressional districts ACCORD
ING TO THEIR NoNEYED VALUE. That is, II
| one district got two offices worth $1,000 to-
gcther, another district should get four
offices worth $500 apiece, and then the
members OF the Legislature from each dis
trict should put their henchmen-thcirp party
parasites-into these offices without any
care or regard for the public service. Could
ANYTHING more perfectly resemble gang OF
highwaymen sitting down deliberately to
parcel out the goods of some unlucky vic
tim who bad fallen into their hands?
The committee for plumber reported that
the Rev. John E. Massey should be made
Auditor Of the State, and that he should be
" charged" TO the State at large. The Hon.
Mr.. Fulkerson thought that Mr.. Massey
ought to be "charged" to the Seventh
congressional district. The Hon. Mr.. Paul
~
50 charged" to the State at large. and to the
State at large he was "charged." Major
Joseph Walker, OF Chesterfield, gave toe
caucus the benetit Of his views upon the
subject. He seemed displeased with this
word " charged" 1t was manifestly igno-
bic in its significance. 1t imported impos-
ing burden against will. He was there
fore of opinion that the Rev. John E.
should be assigned =" 10 the State at large.
Now, note the subtle distinction here.
"Assigu" d" involves the idea of agreement.
Nothing can be "assigned" save by con.
sent OF the assignee; and the Major knew
well the State at large would be delighted
to have the Rev. John E. q assigned" to it.
AS Major Joseph Walker has been alluded
to, brief biographical notice OF him
might be in place.
The State OF Virginia owes this distn-
gulshed gentleman to the State Of Massa-
chusetts. He came to the county OF Ches-
terfield in the summer OF 1864 as quarter
master for General Benjamin F. Buffers
army. When the resources OF that depart.
ment failed him he betook himself to the
business OF extracting q livelihood out Of
the good people OF Chesterfield as best he
might, and he is now devoting his untiring
energies and great intellectual resources to
the praiseworthy occupation Of propasating
that most useful animal, the mule. In Re.
adjuslers' parance, it may be said that the
State OF Massachusetts has " charged" the
Major TO the State Of Virginia.
Now, some persons may he disposed fc
turn I'D their noses at that part of the Ma
Ijor's idea of " assigning" the Rev. John
E. to the State at large, which inputes to
the State willingness to accept. Bat ii
the Rev. John f. really did succeed in dis.
posing OF that valuable work Of his on bap-
tism to the insurance company on the ad"
yaptaseous terms asserted, which we oi
course do not believe, then be has shown
versatility and skill in finance which should
make the State rejoice in having such q
| minister at the head OF her department OF
| finance. SO that, with honest Sancho, we
say lst US thank God for the gift and not
look the GiSt-horse in the mouth.
The Hon. j. G. Cannon, who occupies
Mfr. BANDS seat in the Senate, is person
of cadaveross appearance but OF cayernous
voice, and with training be has the making
Of repudiating orator in him. On Thurs
day, in putting Mr.. Brokenbrough in NOM
inatiou for Celoael Harrison's (one-legged
seldier) place, be took pretty good start
after the following fashion: "Mr. Presi-
d DENT,-With the history of Virginia, with
the memories of her institutions, with her
constitutions, beginning with the first and
coming down to the Hast" At this point
it was generally supposed be would add,
"I am entirely unfamiliar; but with one
Of those tricks Of the crater he gave an IN
expected turn to it and took his seat.
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