Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-18
The President and the Virginia Re.
publlcanS.
A SATISFACTORY INTERVIEW,


delegation Of Virginia republicans mentioned In
yesterdays STAR, as fixed for r. m, took place
at that hour. The delegation was composed
OF Gen. Wickham, chairman, and the entire
republican executive committe OF Virginia, be-
slaes number OF other prominent white ana
c0lored republicans Representative-elect De-
after which Gen. iWickham explained the object
OF the visit. He informed the President that
the republican executive committee, then In
his presence, had been charged since April Oh
last year with the management of republican
affairs In Virginia; that they were ali true re-
publicans. especially interested In placing the
distrusted entirely the readJuster movement.
and wanted nothing to do with 1T. Gen. Wick
nam referred to the party's experience in 1869,
Mahone and others overthrow the republican
party In the state and almost DESTROYED 1t. The
delegation had come, said Gen. Wickham, to
ask ask the Presidents support in their efforts to
establish republican success In Virginia aud
the leaders in that state believe that with
square fight on principle they can win; or, II
!alnng 10 elect state officers, Can at least carry
the legislature.
NEVER BEEN ANYTHING But REPUBLICAN.
The President replied that he had never been
anything but republican, and he would not
do anything In opposition to the best interests
OF that party, and he would edd that he was
positively and emphatically opposed to any
public faith and credit. I1 was for the repub-
ncans OF Virginia to decide whether or not the
reao1uster movement was tainted with re
quotation. II 1t was, republicans ought not to
touch 1t.
In reply to question as to whether the Rid
dleberger bill repudiated any portion of the
debt. Gen. Wtckham said positively that it did;
unadulterated reputation. 1t had never been
submitted to the creditors; on the contrary the
creditors were notified that II they did not &C.
p cept the terms offered In that bill they would
The President inquired IT any party In vtr-
glnla ohered better settlement Gen. Wick
nam replied that the republicans had offered
the Ross. Hamilton bill, which provided tor
payne Of all the debt and was satisfactory
TO tie creditors.
Mr.. Poindexter. a colored man, stated that
ninety per cent OF his people are opposed to
coalition.
WANT A STRAIGHT FIGHT.
Other gentlemen of the delegation made state
ments showing that the republicans OF their re-
spective congressional districts desire straight
party fight. Gen. Wickham said the visit was
not one of ice-seeklng; its object was the
good OF the republican party. Mr.. Bennett,
a letter from John F. Lewis, chairman OF the
state central committee and nominee for lieu
tenant governor on the readjuster ticket, Ia
which Lewis wrote him that he Q.ewis) had seen
the President, and she Is In favor of a coalition
to beat he Bourbons this fall" The Presidenf
said he had not seen Lewis since the readjusfer
convention, nor had he authorized any state
ments as to what he favored. His attention was
csled to numerous reportsi in the nature OF
threats that federal officials would or might be
demoved M,l IN Virginia II they opposed Malone.
authority to make such threats; he made ap-
pointments for the public good and listened
to no aictation: He was opposed to the "boss"
system In politics, and did not propose to give
up patronage Tor use In political matters.
THE REPUBLICANS ENTIRELY SATISFIED.
Gen. Wickham and those with him expressed
themselves to STAR reporter as entirely salts
fed with the interview. They regarded the
Presidents declarations, especially that with
regard TO reputation. as substantial con-
demnat1on OF the readjusters. Gen. Wickham
says republican convention will be neld and
that 1T will nominate a regular ticket and maxi
OF Of the hottest, hardest fights ever seen ir
virginia. The other members of he executive
they unaL imously expressed the opinion
That Gen. Wickham will be the nominee for
governor.
NO CHANCE FOR THE MALONE TICKKT
Mr.. Splitter, Of Richmond, native Vlrglnian
said that the republicans have now better
organization than last fall. he said further
that there is no chance OF success for the Ma
hone ticket under any circumstances: tina If
me republicans were foolish enough to aoan-
don the field In the name of coalition. the
oourD0ns would sweep the state
WHAT THE MALONE MEN SAY.
heaojusteFS ana repup1canS who favor co.
alitlon in Virginia claim that they have more
reason to feel gratifed at what occurred yes
terday In the Wickham interview with the
President than the stra1ght-outs. They main
tain that the President, according to the puo-
llshed report, did not utter word In opposition
TO the read1uster movement or in SUPPORT OF
the stra1ght-out movement A strong coalition
delegation will visit the President shortly. and
the coalitionists say they will then demonstrate
that the straight-outs are only seeking to help
me bourpons; that there is no chance of de-
feating the Bourbons except through Coalition