The New York herald., 1879-12-02
VIRGINIA'S PARTIES.

THE CONTEST FOR SUPREMACY IN THE STATE
oFFIcEs-coQuErrINa BETWEEN REPUBLI-
CANS AND DEBT PAYERS AND READJUsrERs
AND REpUBLIcANs-How THE BALANCE OF
POWER MAY BE WELDED IN THE LEGIsLA-
TIVE SESSION.
by TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD1
RICHMOND. Dec. !. 1879.
The Legislature recently elected in the contest be-
tween the debt payers and the readjusters meets at
noon Wednesday, the Sd inst. 1t is com posed Of
forty Senators and hundred delegates. OF these
Joint ballot. the debt payers claim ffty-sx the
readjusters ffty-eight and the republicans twenty
six From this showing twill clearly be seen that
the republicans hold the balance Of power. as be-
tween the two contending factions of the late con-
servative or democratic party in Virginia. Tho
debt payers maintain the old party organiza-
ton and adhere to its ancient democratic
principles The wing. under the leadership OF
General Malone has cut loose from the old party.
proclaimed broad and liberal policy and boldly
taken into its fold majority Of the qualified negro
voters in the State The latter in return. gratefully
affiliate politically with their friends. the read
justers. throughout the State.
THE DISPUTED sPons.
Among the duties of the incoming Legislature will
be. FIRST the organization of both it's branches. in
of both houses; second. the election of all the
State officials including the Secretary OF the Com
monwealth. Treasurer, First and Second Auditors,
Superntendents OF Public Buildings. Land Office.
Printing and the Penitentiary and all the County
judges; and third. the election of United States
Senator to succeed Mr.. Withers Looking therefore
at the situation thus summarized the position Of
the minority OF republicans. as holding the balance
Of power. is one of the gravest Importance. In a
party view it is Of the most vital Importance. Nearly
all the newly elected members have arrived here to-
night. and with them crowds OF candidates. leaders
and vtpa rNr1Ila I'm hta YNriu
ferences Of leaders and personal consultations
have been held. but with what result
be hand both sides. Republican members,
particularly the colored ones, besieged and
tions are crowded into the Exchange and Ballard
House. whore the caucuses are to be organized and
held.
The excitement is intense. and Virginia never be-
fore witnessed such extraordinary contest. To-
night everything is in thoroughly chaotic state.
Efforts to induce all the republicans to go into o
separate and distinct party caucus of their own
who were elected as positively refusing
This is dscouraging to the debt payers. who
cans could be controlled to enable them to organize
the House. elect their Speaker and State officials and
maintain Che Mccullough debt settlement. Among
the mooted propositions the part of the debt pay
one to give the republicans the United States
Senatorship for their support but this fell through
because 1t ascertained that its democratic orig
inators could not deliver their in such trade.
The debt payers however are still hopeful OF effect
ing o compromise by which they Will yet defeat the
readjusters and retain their political power in the
State On the other hand. the readjusters conf
IDENTIFY claim that they will organize both branches Of
the Legislature and elect all the State officials and
General Malone for United States Senator.
FAIR PROSPECTS FOE READJUsTERs.
The outlook from y republican standpoint, favors
the readjusters from whom they have everything to
expect and whose success guarantees the probable
party and the election Of man Of liberal princi-
pies to the United States Senate. The debt payers
may yet resort TO the alternative Of taking up q
usfe ast heir IA
for the SeAatorship in order to defeat Malone. The
organization on Wednesday will develop the indi-
vidual strength Of the parties.
LATKR.-Quite q formidable array Of leading re-
pcans, representing the administration, attempted
to organize caucus OF the members elect to the
Legislature of that party tonight. Probably
a little more than half of the members
attended. but before the proceedings had been well
begun some of the republican readJusters pre- sented
thems selves and succeeded in forcing adjournment
without any action being taken. Another attempt
to organize o republican caucus will be made to-
| morrow night