Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-03-06
HON. E. BOYD FAULKNER.
Interviewed by an Independent
Reporter.
His Views in Regard to the Green.
hackers, Larceny, sc.

After the publication of the card
of Major Dawson, representative
of the INDEPENDENT called on Hon.
E. Boyd Faulkner to know what he
had to say about it. The reporter
found him at leisure, and willing to
give him any information desired,
and Immediately came to the point
with the following:
Queston.-Did you see Major Da-
VISIONS communication in the last
INDEPENDENT, and observe the
reference he made to your speech at
Unger's store in 1878? I
Answered., yes; the Major has
things little twisted, but | won't
find fault with him on that account.
have no recollection of having re-
ferred to him by name, or other
wise, in any speech made by me in
that campaign. l discussed the
financial question, and maintained,
no doubt, that | was as good, or
better, Greenbacker than those who
claimed to be members of the Green
back party. Ny policy was to ap-
preci0te not deprecidte the paper
money. / desired the purchasing
power of the greenback dollar to be
equal to that Of the gold or silver
dollar-severely criticised and con-
demned much of the legislation of
Congress in regard to the bonds;
opposed the policy of the fat money
theorists; favored resumption, as I
could see no disastrous effects to re-
suit from it and possibly much good !,
and denied any power in Congress to
make greenbacks a legal tender for
payment of private debts. But my
views are so well understood in this
District upon all these questions
having discussed them fully in every
nook and corner of it--that it Is I'M
necessary for me to say more on the
subject. / felt a little hurt that the
Major, who was within two miles OF
the speaking, was not there that day,
as was sscredibiy informed he was
at home and in good health. No
doubt, then in the flush of victory,
the Senatorial nomination of the
party having just been thrust upon
him, he was feeling like Goblet S
Register, the mouth-piece of the in
fiatiOn party in England's dark day,
which declared that there would
never be resumption there, and in
vindication of his faith, its proprie.
tor placed a gridiron at the head of
its columns, whilst the Major could
have placed his gridiron at the head
of the greenback ticket as published
in the Statesman and Independent, }
in which he profesSed his willingness
to be broiled whenever resumption
should take place. l never heard of
the broiling although resumption
came to pass not long afterward.
This is borrowed, but think it suits
admirably the frame of mind the
Timber-ridge Greenbacker must have
been in according to his own &C.
count. however, am sure if he
had been present that day, judging
from the effect that the report OF
my speech must have had upon him,
| could have convinced him that
putting decorated turnip in his
pocket, with the inscription "this is
a WATCH" would not make it so.
Now if you think the Major is a
better Greenbacker than l am, /
have nothing more to say on the
subject.
Question. about the Major
asserting that you were in favor OF
making theft to the amount of a
dollar felony?
Answer.-Here he has gotten a
little mixed, and will quote from
Senate Bill No. %, introduced into
that body by me, that goes far be-
yond his most sGng,tine expectations,
and | have no doubt will cause him
to shed additional tears, that "of-
ences are either felonies or INSIDE
meanors such offences as are pun
ishable with death or confinement
in the penitentiary are felonies; all
other offences are miSdemendors, ex-
cept that all grades al larceny, ho,c'
erer punished, shall be felonies. =
Had this bill become law, you per-
ceive at once that the punishment as
now inflicted, would have been pre-.
cisely the same as in cases of larceny,
but its effect would have been to
have DISTINGUISHED, after conviction,
the little as well as the big thief.
Nothing but a pardon would have
restored him to his rights of voter.
Our Constitution DISTINGUISHES per.
sons under conviction of felony, and
under our present law, person
stealing any thing of the value of
$40 or more, after his conviction,
has no right to vote in any election