Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-03-20

ceRy, dc.
After the publication Of the carl Of Major
Dawson, representative Of the Independent
called on Hon +. Boyd Faulkner to know
what he had 10 say about it. The reporter
found him at leisure, aud willing to give him
any information desired aud Immediately
came to the point with the following:
Question. Did YOU see Major Davisons
communication in the last Independent, aud
observe the reference lie made TO your speech
at Unger's store in 1878?
Apswer.-O, yes the Major has things O
little twisted, but won't fad fault with him
on that account have 10 recollection OF
having referred to him by name, or otherwise,
IN any speech aadc by me 10 that campaign.
discussed the financial question, aud main-
tanned. no doubt, that was as good, or better,
Green backer than those who claimed TO be
members Of the Greenksck party. My policy
was to appreciate not depreciGte the paper
money. desired the purchasing power Of the
creenback dollar TO be equal to that Of The
gold or silver dOllsr-severely criticised and
condemned much Of the legislation Of Congress
in regard to the bond, (; opposed Che policy OF
the fat money theorists; favored resumption,
as | could see no disastrous effects to result
from II and possibly much good. end denied
any power iu Congress 20 make greeubacks a
legal tender for payment Of private debts
/ But my views are 30 well understood in this
| District upon all these questions-having dis
cussed them fully in every nook aod corner OF
| it-lhai it is unnecessary ior me 10 say more
/ on the subject. felt litt!e hpT: that the
/ Mai.r, Who was within two miles Of the speak
inc, was not there that d,y, as was cretl-
! b!y Informed " he was OF home aud 10 good
health. No doubt, then n the flush Of victory,
the Senatorial nonlra.ion Of tho party having
lust been thrust upou lin, he was feeag like
CJbbet's Register, the mOatb- piece Of The in-
hstion party 10 Eugland's dark day. which
declared that there would never be resumption
there. aud in vindicaiibn of lis faith, its pro-
pretor placed erdIron at the head Of lie col
umns. whilst tic Major could have plscoG bis
cridiron OF tie head OF the grcenback ticket as
published 10 the Statesman and ladepende'f,l
in which he prciesscd his willingness to be
/ broiled whenever resumption should take
place never hoard Of tho broiling although
/ resumption came to pass not long niterward.
/ This is borrowed, Tut think IL suits adnifa-
/ bly the frame OF mind the 1imber-Iidge Green
/ backer must haye been 10 according TO his
own account However, am sure If be had
been present that day, Judging from the effect
I that The report Of my speech must have bad
( upon him. | could have convinced him that
putting a decorated ;uruip in his pocket with
| tbe Inscription this IS a watch" would not
make it So. Now If you think the MAJ = is Q
better Grccnbacker than am, ! have nothing
more 10 say on the subject.
Olestion.-llow 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. 2S, IN
troduced into that body by me. that goes far
/ beyond BIZ. most sangUiHe erpecfdti0ns, aud ]
have TO doubt will cause him to shed addition
al tears, that Offences are either fsloncs or
nisdemeanors such offences as are punishable
with death or confinement 10 tie peuiientsry
are felcnies all other ohences atc inls1emcan-
ors, except that all grades as larceny, horereT
punished, shall be fel0uios." Had this bill be-
come law, you perceive at once that The pun
shment as now inflicted, WOULD have been pre-
ci.ely the same as IN cases Of larceny, but Its
effect would lave been 10 have disiranebiscd.
after conviction, tie MRe as well as the Zig
thief Nothing but pardon would have re-
stored him TO bic rights Of q voter. Our Con-
sti,uiion disfranchises persons under convic-
tion Of felony, aud under our present law,
pereon stealing any thing Of The value Of s20
or more. aiter bis conviction, has 90 right TO
vote 10 any election unless pardoned; II, how
ever, It should have been 1892. or less. there
is no restriction upon bis right 10 walk up aud
vote = .,t the best citizen 10 the land. 10 the
one case the puEishfnect l. 10 the pcn;tentiary,
10 the other the county jaii-the one felony.
the other misiemeaDor. Believing that all
men who steal, whether little or much, arc
guilty Of an infamous oGence-thst such char
sc.efs should he denied one Of The dear rights
Of freemen, that Of voting and electins men TO
make the laws, ! fully endorsed the object
aud purposes Of this bill aud believe all good
citizens will sustain me in my course, aud had
the Major taken little trouble, as be
should bsve done, he would not have been 80
wide Of the mark, and done what my friend
Colouel L. would have made plain by aD anec-
dote. You eau guess what mean.
have said good deal more than intend
cd, and do not think you will remember one
half Of it, but hope if you DO report my has
tily expressed opinions to any one else, you
will 90 it while i, is fresh in memory aud not
I wait eighteen months-so there is another rap
at the deor and must beg you 10 excuse me.