New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-03
VIRGINIA NOT REALLY FOR GRANT.

DELEGATION IS SOLID FOR GRAET-THE DIS.
TRICT DELEGATES NOT IN FACT, BOUND BY M
s1RUCnoNs-THE ALLIANCE WITH THE READ
JUsTERs
gentleman from Virginia, who is conversans
with the inner history of the recent political move
ments in that State by which the Republican deega-
ton to Chicago represented to be solid for Grant,
gave to TRIBUNE reporter on Ff1day account
of the way in which this was brought about. Ho
was asked, "What do you know about the coali-
tion between the Grant managers and the Malone
party'in Virgniafn
~ KNOW was the reply, " that during the past
Winter Mr.. Gorham, representing the Grant inter
est came to Richmond and had conferences with
the friends of General Malone. The general un-
derstanding was that they would work together I
know that later conferences wero held in Wash
ington, and that without question there was full
understanding between the Grant leaders and the
Readjusters, that they together would control
the State Convention. 1t was then given out thai
the State Convention would be unanimous and
would instruct for Grant. know that direct and
earnest appeals were made to oce-holderst through-
out the State to withdraw all opposition to the n-
evitable. Mahone's party tried hard to pack
tho Convention, and, with few excep~
tions, the entire ofiice-hold;ng class in the
State worked night and day in the same
direction. Meetings were called in Richmond
in Grants interest, and cOlored statements were
sent North. persistent effort was made to bring
about the impression that Virginia was solid for
Grant.n
"Have you any reason to think that the real
leaders of tie Grant movement In the country fa-
vored the coalitionf"
Mr. Smith, formerly Member Of Congress,
came from Washington to attend Grant meet
ings. He stated that Senator Conkling had
authorized him to say that he desired
the Grant men to act with Malone. few days
afterward it was stated in one Of our papers,
that Conkling denied this but in the State Con-,
vention the clerk Of the United States Districf
Court In speech said that he had recently seen
Roscoe Conkling and Don Cameron, and they both
desired the coalition. He repeated this statement
and challenged denial. I have private and exact
information as to the actual understanding between
the friends of Grant and those of Mahone."
"What was the real temper Of the State Conven-
ton ~
at was present and studied the Convention care.
fully. The FIRST indication Of feeling was in the re-
sponse to the mention Of the names OF Grant. Blanc
and Sherman. Grant and Blaine were cheered
loudly and about equally, but the mention
of Sherman called out little applause.
Nearly all the whites in the Convention,
were of1ceholders, but three-fourths of the dele
ington were present, and constant pressure was
kept upon the Convention. In the contest which
ragged for two days and two nights over the question
of appointing electors. the Grant "straigbt-outs."
as they are called with the aid Of the Blaine votes,
defeated the Readjusters by majority OF 8. But
in the choice of delegates to Chicago, the Grant ke-
adiusters were successful. Every Grant man in the
Convention who spoke against Malone and his plan
was defeated while Mahones friends were elected"
ONLY TEN GRANT DELEGATES AT MOST.
"How does the delegation stand "
"Of the delegates-at-largo one is pronounced for,
Grant. one for Blaine and one for Sherman, while
the fourth is doubtful. OF the sixteen dis
trict delegates Grant has six sure and
possbly eight. His whole strength. if the vote
we're freely taken to-day, wOuld not exceed
ten, and possibly not eight. OF tho remaining dele
gates Blaine and Sherman can command about On
equal number"
But are not the delegates instructedP r.
"A resolution was passed by the Convention, with.
ont opposit,on. declaring the first choice of the
Convention to he Grant. and requesting Blaine
70 take the second place upon the ticket.
This does not bind tho district delegates. ana
was brought about in the following way.
ouasi agreement was made that the names OF as
trct delegates should not DO reported to nor acted
unon by tho Convention, and hence only
With this understanding the supporters
Of Blaine and sherman withheld tho
onposing votes, and the resolution passed. The ap-
nearanoe of unanimous support 4 Grant, which
those working in his interest desIf ID, was secured
Thns the sixteen district delegates are perfectly
fras {o vote as they choose the National Conyen.
ton while the four delegatesatarse are under ir-
siructiOns frc m the State Convention"
"What is the significance OF the combination
with Malone, and what benefits can the kepubli-
can party receiver
notice in some papers congratulations over:
this arrangement. But TO the debt-paying Repubf-
cans of the State of Virginia 1t is full of shame
and alarm. The Malone party proposes
forcbe readjustment of the State debt by virtually
and instantly repudiatinQ one-half OF all oblga-
fiops, To secure the aid Of Republicans In thies
tLev propose TO help elect Republican Congrosamen
In tho Petersburg Norfolk, Fredericksburg aud pos
sibiy the Richmond districs; but In return the Re.
pubcans shall assist them In electne thsie
own candidates In the remaining districts They
ask also that the Republicans shall nssiss them 10
elect next wear State officers and LegiaiAfufe
niedred to readjusthlent They ask for the preaebe
an Inpledred electoral ticket, composed n,p1rS
of Republicans and In part OF kead1usfen wh0
shall hold the balance Of power between the parties
IN the election next Fall and vote for the Demo
cratic or the Republican candidate Tor iTesiaens -
thev please or be put up TO Tho nlgncst oldQen
i, TbS, only benefit 10 the Republicana lies ~ the