The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-21
virginia Possibilities.
WHAT SENATOR ELECT MALONE MAY DO If II
TAKES THE NOTION.

WHAT SENATOR-ELECf MALONE MAY Do II he
TAKES THE NOTION.
correspondent at Washington thus dis
cusses in the New York Times the possible
contingencies that may transform virginia
into Republican State:
| For some time past it has been an open
secret among well-informed politicians NJ
| the capital that the Democratic managers
are considerably exercised in regard to the
probable position which William Malone,
the recently elected United States senator
from Virginia. will take in regard 10 the
presidential question. They are even more
troubled in regard to the posslbllity OF
his taking sides with the Republicans
in the Senate, should the National
Government be Republican after 1881.
There are many good reasons for their
anxiety in the direction indicated. Further
than this. there is cause for the belief that,
under certain circumstances, Malone might
throw his very powerful influence IN
favor of the Republican candidates; and
afterwards, when he has taken his seat in
the Senate, maintain at least a neutral posi-
ton, with Il s'rong leaning towards the Re-
publicans. Mr.. Malone is EOminally De-
mocrat, but all his antecedentS and most OF
his past associations make it impossible for
him to be a strong supporter OF that party.
He has never been in sympathy with the
Bourbon element OF the south; but, on the
contrary, having been himself "p0or
whitc,n and knowing well the arrogance OF
the class in question, he has OH more than
one occasion given strong indications OF his
desire to break away from the organization
which has until recently dominated In Nlr-
gina.
He is now practically the dictator OF Vir-
ginia: he holds the Legislature absolutely,
and, without being under ally obligation TO
the Democracy-indeed in spite OF inc
Democratic managers he will, in March,
1881, 20 into the upper house OF the National
Legislature for six years. With all this
power behind him. 1t Is OF course natural
that the Democratic leaders in Washington
should be anxious to know Just what ac-
ton Standardized Malone will take regard
ing the coming presidential election. 1t Is
known here that within the past week a
number of prominent Democrats have APP
preached him on the subject, and tina;
they came away unable TO determine
what his position was likely to re and fear
ing very much that If General Grant be-
came the Republican candidate he would be
likely to throw his influence for him. While
there is this uncertainty As TO the position
OF Mr.. Malone, John w. Daniel, of Lynch
burg, who is one OF the most prominent OF
the straight-out Virginia Democracy, holds
that he (Mahone) has no claims upon the
party, and that he shall be permitted to have
no influence in the National Democratic
Convention. III this course is persisted in,
Mahone's friends say that he will take con-
testing delegation to that Convention, and
that if he is refused admission, as he doubt
less would be, he will 90 back 10 Virginia,
and even more ef1ectualy than John Kelly
did in New York, will pull down the temple
OF the State Democracy; and II Grant be
the Republican candidate, and TiIden the
choice OF the Democrats, he would, as it is
now believed here, have but little difficulty
in bringing about Republican victory in
Virginia. His incentives TO such action are
many and obvious. The Democrats have
rCpudiated him with contempt, and, by the
aid OF Republicans, be has been made
senator of the United States. Under certain
contingencies, which may at any moment
arise, he could, after his admission to the Sen
ate, turn that body over 10 the control OF the
Republicans. He is known TO be fearless
and determined man. With four years OF
Republican administration assured, with
prospect that the party named would for
q much longer period remain in power, and
with nothing to hope for from the Democra-
cy, 1t can easily be seen how man OF NJ
homes antecedents, independence. and
daring would be tempted to throw his for
tunes with the powerful and dominant Re
publican organization. At all events, II can
be stated that some intimation OF what ac-
ton he proposes TO take in the coming cam
paign is looked for win much anxiety by
the President-makers in Washington.