Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-12-16
FRIDAY MORNING. DEC. Is. 1881.
THE NEW MODE OF ELECTING A
IT. g. SENATOR FOR VIRGINIA.

hopes and Tears Oh men Wnoso oAiy Aosi'f
mate chance Of election was the free and
untrammeled vote of the peoples delegates
In their legislature? Such thing might |
have been possible when the State was yet |
held In duress by the superior force of
arms, but never since she resumed her
place as an equal State. 1t is only now
made possible by the State having fallen !
into line with what is known as "boss |
ism, 81 term but little congenial with the |
s.liberalism'' pretence under which the
Of which this is the result has
been conducted. It lis liberalism with
out the essential of liberty; liberalism
which permits the people Of Virginia to
send delegates to Richmond and there
await the result of negotiations with Wash
ington as to who Is or is not wanted in the
Senate by their vote. The narrative OF
the matter is so curious a development in
Richmond Washington politics that we
give 1t in course. In the Philadelphia
"Press," paper quite friendly to Senator
Malone, there appeared on December Sth,
the following special telegram dated Wash
1ngeCD. the evening DeIOIe'
Eight gentlemen, including two New
England senators and Congressman faul
and Fulkerson oil Virginia. called upon
the President to-day and had consulta-
lion concerning political affairs in Virgin
la. and particularly about the election OF
United States Senator, which is to take
place on the 10th inst. The President was
Informed that his name was being used in
Richmond as if by authority in favor OF
the election of a Readjuster, instead of a
Republican to the Senate, and this state
fnent was working to the detriment OF the
claims Of Republican candidates. The
President surprised the gentlemen by the
familiarity of the acquaintance which he
showed with Virginia politics, and by the
irankuess with which he assured them that
be thought the Republicans we're rightful-
ly entitled to the Senatorship and ought
to insist upon it.. He was told that Sena-
tor Malone was using his influence in be-
half of Readjuster Democrat, and pre-
fefred that H. Fl. Rlddleberger be nomi
mated. President Arthur said he was sat
isfied that Malone would support Re-
publican for the nomination. The inter-
view was lengthy and entirely satisfactory
to the President'e visitors. His wishes
were communicated to Senator Malone
BY a messenger who left for Richmond this
Afternoon.
The Readjuster Congressman, Paul and
Fulkerson, have constantly advocated the
election of Northumberland, elect,
John E. Lewis. Republican,, to the Senate
as the logical result OF the success of the
recent coalition campaign in Virginia, and
Virginia Republicans claim that it was
tacitIy understood, if not explicitly
agreed, when the coalition was formed
that the Senatorship should be given to
Republican.
The interview alluded to in the above
telegram created so much excitement
among the Readjuster leaders at Rich
mond lit being we'll understood that Rid
dleberger was Senator Mahone's prefer
ence as his colleague) that Geo. s. Cor
ham, of Washington. sent the Senator the
following letter of reinsurance:
Dear General.-I had a conversation
with the President this evening in relation
to the stat cement in tO-day's POST and
t'Star" of this city, attributed to him GER
tain views on the senatorial election in
Virginia. In those statements he is rep
resented as expressing a wish for the de-
feat of Riddleberger. l learn from him
that this is wholly destitute of foundation.
In the interview which has been SO
grossly misrepresented he was told that 1t
had been stated that he was taking part in
a movement in behalf of Riddleberger.
He merely stated that he has not inter fer
ed at all. He suggested that Senator
Lewis have friendly talk with you on the
subject. The President expressed no de
sire as to the political antecedents of the
man who should be elected, nor did he say
one word which. correctly stated, would
in the slightest degree embarrass you or
anil TN,
trary, he desires it understood that he has
no views which in any manner conflict
with the friendly sentiments hitherto ex-
pressed to you by him. These assurances
are as unnecessary to you as they were to
me, but they may be useful in correcting
misrepresentation.
Very truly yours,
GEORGE e. GoRHAM.
Hon. VIM. Malone, Richmond, Va.
Another and later telegram from Wash
ington, adds that:
Mr.. Gorham denies that the Readjuster
congressman, Paul and Fulkerson, urged
2he President to support Lewis, their call
with Lewis upon the President being
merely to urge the appointment OF Lewis
Son to the Marshalship held by Lewis be-
fore his election as Observation-Disclosures.
To make assurance doubly sure as to the
Presidents wis les in the matter, Messrs
Walker, Williams and Owens, Readjuster
members of the legislature, went over to
Washington, Saturday. and we're intro
duced to the President by Congressman
Dpzendorf. An Associated Press tele-
gram, says or this interview:
In discussing the senatorial contest, the
President said that on general principles
he was always in favor of a Republican
but Virginia having formed coalition, it
changed the state of affairs. and SO he did
notrintend to take any part or express any
opinion relative to the matter, and he had
so informed friends of Senator Malone, as
well as representatives who had called
upon him. He considered it a matter for
the State Legislature alone to determine.
And then Riddleberger was nominated
by the Readiuster caucus, anG the plying to
:.nd fro of messengers between Washington
ssnd Richmond to decide who should be
the Virginia Senator, ceased. But the
reader must not be led into the mistake
Republicans of Virginia that is the intelli
eence of the Republican party, will not be
satisfied with the seating of Senator
who defiantly claims to be Democrat.
when that seating is due to victory won
i.y Republican votes. But q few days
since our Republican contemporary, the
VALLEY Virginian," discussing the Sena-
tarstip asked this pertinent question:
Must we still consent to further demands
and elect another Democratic Senator and
thus place the Legislature of the country
at the disposal of two Senators, elected by
Republican votes. who acknowledge no al
l4giance to the Republican party; proclaim
themselves independent Democrats, and
oeny responsibility to either Democratic
s,r a Republican constituency? In justice