Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-01-14
intelligence that he seeks to blind by the
most awkward disputes with himself.

intelligence that he seeks to blind by the
most awkward disputes with himself.
Philadelphia "Press,' RepI
General Mahone's manifesto on the Vir-
ginia debt question commands attention
fhrouphout the country. The general
tenor of the comment is favorable TO the
force and business of his position. 1t is
conceded that he makes a strong case. and
that. if his statement Of the facts canhot
be successfully contested, he vindic"tes
himself and turns the tables OF repudlat ION
upon his Bourbon opponents.
Down to this point the Virginia contro-
versy has before the country at large oeeIi
a matter of epithets. General Malone il's
been stigmatlzed as a Repudiator; The B"ur-
bops have trumpteted themselves AS Debt
PAYERS; and the country, without knowl-
edge or inquiry, has suffered itself to be
largely imposed upon. Now this preten-
sion is to be brought 10 the crucial test OF
critical examination and absolute PROOF.
The time has gone by for fippant assertion
and wanton calumny. 1t comes to the ex-
act citation of record, to the attest OF MS
tory aid to the demonstration OF deeds,
General Malone challenges the issue, and
his antax onists must unhorse him on the
statement of facts or be themselves over
thrown.
The question as to the self-styled Bour-
bon Debt Payers are simply these; Did or
did they not, in refunding, scale or repu.
date portion Of the debt? Did or did
they not promise to pay the debt when
they knew the revenues were entirely in
adequate to fulfil their pledges? Did OF
did they not distinctly and repeatedly re-
fuse to increase the tax, when an increase
of the tax was absolutely the only way OF
| keeping their promises and meeting the
requirements? Do or do they not stand
to-day III favor of REIMBURSEMENT of the
debt?-the precise position which in theil
opponents they denOunce as reputation
General Malone says they did and do just
these things. This is q question OF fact
i 1t is susceptible of direct and conclusive
proof from the records. If General Ma
hone is right in his statements, the Bour
bon Debt-Payers are branded as guilty Of
false prete nses. If he is wrong, let then
| bring on the evidence and then he viii
stand condemned.
New York ''Sun," Dem.]
1t is rather significant that Gen. Ma
hone, on whose vote the organization Of
| the United States Senate after March
1881, is supposed to depend, should hav'
| the use of the columns of the Philadel.
Virginia debt question and on State and
national politics. This newspape. is pecu
liarly the organ of one faction of the Re
publican party. Its editor is in close re
lations wit Senator Conkling. For many
years he was editor of the Albany Eve
ming Journal p leaving that post when thu
owners of seven-elghths Of the "Eveninl
Journal'' became dissatisfied with Mr.
Conkling's policy, and determined tina
the paper should no longer be the Senator
mouthpiece. Soon after this Mr.. Smith
became editor of the "Press," which il
owned by friends of the Camerons. Geo
G. Gorham is the confidential friend ant
political intimate of Mr.. Conkling. Du
ring the past year he has had frequen
conferences with Malone at Washington
and Richmond.
| Baltimore American" Rep.]
If the Virginia Readjusters keep Of
lowering the basis of taxation in Virgin
ia, they may vet be able to show that th,
State can't afford to pay any debt at all
and. no doubt, they would be willing,
such thing were possible, to throw tn
State into the hands of a receiver. AM
what capacious receiver Malone woul'
make!