National Republican., 1881-11-05
the part of Republican Senators and
General Malone. 1t saws.

MS pOSlUOn III tnnt DOuy nNu no bpcultu sishih-
canoe and his vote noexcephonal value, he would
doubtless have been len to carry on his local con-
test without material aid from without
Which is equivalent to accusing every
Republican Senator of low intrigue un-
derthe guise fprinciple. Again we oquote;
With the help of his vote the Republicans were
able to constitute the committees of the Senate,
and had the hope of carrying measures of impor-
tance which without It would be certain of defeat.
And so the Times would have us believe
that because General Mahone's vote
could give the committees of the Senate
to the Republicans the latter consented
to deliver their party over to him in
Virginia, when under other circum-
stances abe would have been left to
carry on his own local contest" without
Republican support, and therefore against
its opposition.
The Times says:
An alliance with the Republicans would be
especially valuable to him, inasmuch as they had
control of the national Administration That he
sought the alliance and was willing to contribute
TO II his vote In the Senate Is not TO be wondered
at, for General Malone is n calculating politician,
and owed his scat in the Senate to vigorous con-
test with the regular Democracy in Virginia.
This is mere rehash of the speeches
of Brown, Hill of Georgia, Morgan, Call,
Voorhees,, and others made at the spring
session of the Senate. 1t charges the
"bargain and corruption upon Republi-
can Senators which they so Indignantly
denied. If"an alliance with the the Re-
publicans would be especially valuable to
him" (Mahone), as above stated, the al
lance was none the less valuable to the
Republicans, as also above stated. If he
(AIahone) sought the alliance and was
willing to contribute his vote" it is plain
that the Times intends to be understood
that the Republican Senators also sought
the alliance" and contributed their in
fluence with the Administration. If his
course in the Senate "is not to be Won
dered at, for General Malone is calcu-
lating politician" then the course of the
Republican Senators is also to be ac-
counted for on the ground that they, too,
are calculating politicians.
To all of which the true reply so often
made is this: There was no alliance on
the basis Of any previous understanding.
General Malone triumphed over the
Bourbons in Virginia, and was chosen to
the Senate. He opposed them in that
body rs he had done at home. The Re-
publicans were also opposed to the Bour-
bons. The defeat of the latter being the
work in hand, the Republicans and GEN
eral Malone acted together for that pur-
pose. The defeat of the Bourbons in
Virginia being also desirable, the same
forces continued 10 work together to that
end. The Republicans did not buy Ma
hone, nor did he buy the Republicans.
Whoever says there was any condition
precedent to their cooperation is SLAM
derer and the truth is not in him.
The Times then discusses the debt ques-
ton, and concludes that the creditors
have more to expect from the Readjusters
than from the Bourbons. 1t fails to say
distinctly that it prefers the success of
the coalition ticket but leaves such a
preference to be inferred.
1t then proceeds to foul its own nest in
the following characteristic manner:
| In the methods by which aid is given to Malone
| and his supporters In Virginia there is nothing
new or unfamiliar, but there is much that is open
| to criticism. The public service of the United
States and the patronage of the Government ought
not TO be used as q power for carrying elections
in any State, and 1t would not be SO used II that
service were conducted according to sound sys-
TEN as to appointments and removals. The Lynch
burg postmaster was undoubtedly removed for
good cause Tho removal having been made under
our present system, the appointment of his success
sor was sure to have n political significance and
| influence one way or the otlier, and the Admins
| tration having given its sympathy to Malone, II
| was natural that such favor as this appointment
might indicate should be bestowed on his side In
| the contest. There ought to be no connection be-
| tween the Federal appointment and the State con-
test but in the present condition of politics II
was inevitable, and there is no doubt that the sup
port Of the Administration counts for much in the
| Virginia contest.
This is the reductiO dd abSurdum of the
civil-service machine reform crankery
A postmaster had to be removed for inn
proper practices, His place had to be
filled. Every person eligible for the
place was on one side or the other of the
State contest. One side must have
seemed to the President right and the
other wrong. He selected citizen who, as
q voter, was on the right side. This is
not so very vicious. Statham is as good a
postmaster rs any Bourbon would be.
If Bourbon had been appointed that
would have been using the "patron-
age" on that side. How can the Times
abolish "sides" or make the people re-
frain from taking sides? How can good
and competent men on the right side ol
party divisions injure the public service
by being designated for office? How
tedious is such ridiculous and meaning.
less cant. The Times thus concludes:
Moreover, the contributions for the expenses o
the canvass, which are made heavy by the capita
ton tax, are probably not induced wholly by de-
sire to promote the cause of equal rights, aud 1t 1:
to be feared that they are raised in some measure
by process closely resembling political assess
ment. All of which merely affords new illus
tration of the workings the fundamental vice OF
our political system, which are exhibited ON Il
much smaller scale and excite far more attention
and reprobation than in former times, This fact
at least is symptom of progress in public scntl-
ment
Aminidab Sleek could not shuttle anG
whine in more approved form. How dc
contributions resemble assessments? Does
the Times man ever attend church /?
so, does he ever put quarter in the "con
tributon" plate? Is he, therefore, as
sessed?" Is it immoral to pass the plate
in church orin party? Is this shock
ing conduct really the fundamental vic,
of our political sXstem?" Such drivel a
that in which the Times constantly in
dulges on these themes is mere cant, anC
cant is the imitation by depraved minds
| % ,ylot tla,, ;onnrontlXy uunnoSa to IA,