Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-02

WAsHNGToN, December There is an
Important leaf in political history which
must be recorded. Virginia was carried by
the Readiusters aud Malone men at the
recent election by about 1900 majority.
This was a surprise to everybody except a
few who knew how the State was going to
be carried. l. certainly was a surprise to
the Democrats in Virginia and no less so to
both the Democrats and Republicans out
side that State. H w the State, which was
thorough going Democratic one could
be so turned over in the political balance as
to make it top the other way, was certainly
cause for surprise. How was the State
carried for the Read iusterss How did 1t
come abOutg are questions which have
been asked hundreds of times Malone
said in a recent interview that when Presi-
dent Arthur turned out two good Re-
publican POstmasters, and put In two
Readjusters, he knew that the thing
was all going his way, because
it showed that the administration
was on the side OF the Readiusters. Ger
tsinly this open declaration of Arthur for
Readjusterism aud reputation had its
weight, and considerable weight, too. But
that is not the way Virginia was carried.
The way that T. was carried will certainly
bring fOrcibly to mind the immense
power which the party in the possession of
the Federal offices can bring to bear upon
the shaping of the politics OF Independent
States. Malone and the other Republicans
who were with him In the management OF
the csmpsign intimated that If they could
raise S25 600 to pay % coo poll taxes they
could vote a sufficient number of the people
who were disfranehised on account of nom
payment Of poll tax to carry the State. The
question was where to get the money. For
that purpose Malone went TO New York. He
saw the bankers and moneyed Republicans
aud interviewed the Union League Club.
He made speech, in which he set forth
the views and objects Of Mshoneism. But
it was of nc avail. They gave him plenty
Of sympathy aud encouragement, but not
dollar of money. It was reported when he
left New York with empty campaign
pockets that be had raised $40 900 there.
He bad nOt in fact raised a cent. Malone
came to Washington, and among other
government officers with whom he talked
was Gen. R1um, Commissioner of Internal
Revenue Rlum told Malone to do the best
among his friends, and he would see If he
could net raise the balance to make up the
So. 900 regarded as necessary. Malone
went to work. He raised in all $40, 600,
paying the most Of it out Of mis- proceeds
gathered in the lucrative business of running
railroads He, however, received a number
Of contributions. One for $500 was from
Senator Jones, of Nevada, the warmest
personal friend that President Arthur has.
Ben Rutler, OF MASSACHUSETTS, sent Malone
his check for s 600. Other public men
also chipped 10, but the most that Malone
could do vas TO get together 600 Then
Commissioner Raum played neat and fine
hsnd. He wrote to every Collector Of In
ternsl Revenue a letter. He did
not make an assessment. He
called attention 10 the importance of the
contest. and said that to carry Virginia
would be the opening wedge to breaking
| the rule OF B0urbons in the South. He
then asked II such cause did not OF its
importance to the whole couRtTy suggest
/ that something be done to aid Malone
| in his fight. And Re wound up by direct
/ ing that the attention OF the leading Re-
| publieans IN the several collection districts
| be called to the state Of affairs in Virginia,
/ and the need for contributions,
/ that MahOneism and Republicanism-which
are synonymous terms-oe victorious. 1t is
/ true that 70 assessments were made, eX-
/ cept in South Carolina, where the Federal
/ Office holders were asked to give a certain
amount, as they had not been called on for
a number Of years. The letters which Com
missioner Raum sent out bore their fruit
| very early. 10 most cases every State as
well as Federal officer contributed. Many
/ Republicans not holding Office put in small
sums. 1t appears from the records Of
this neat little game OF politics that fully
| seventy-hve per cent. OF those who put
their hands In their pockets to help Malone
| and reputation we're outside the internal
revenue service. California sent $500;
one district in Kentucky for
wsrded $50, and the Collector
| was directed to receive no more contribu-
tisns there. One distiller 10 Kentucky sent
$500. Ia Illinois every State and county
officer contributed. North Carolina sent
$1,000. Both OF the internal revenue
| districts in Georgia sent "handsome con-
| trlbutions" One citizen of Atlanta, II his
name was given, would cause sur
prise In the announcement that
he gave $50 Many OF the independents"
in Georgia contributed, but the name Of
Hon. Emory Speer does not appear on the
list. It Is true ncne Of this money was
handled By Commissioner Raum. He gave
| instructions that it be sent to the treasurer
of the Readjuster Campaign Committee,
| and it was so sent. a number Of other peo-
pie contributed directly TO Raum by checks
Instead Of sending their money through the
| Collectors OF Customs. This was especially
Der Of checks reached Commissioner Raum-
/ These be Immediately turned over
to the treasurer of the Resdjuster
Campaign Committee. By the means which
! have here traced there was raised by an
! United States officer the sum Of SIS, 600 to
! ipfiuence the vote of the State of Virginia.
With MahOne's $4,000, which he had sue
ceeded in raising, It made up the sum the
| campaign managers regarded as necessary
to carry the State for Malone. The money
was applied. The Mshone ticket was elected.
/ That + the way that Virginia Topped into the
ranks of Republicanism and repudiatiOn.
| That is the way the entering wedge which
is to split tie solid South was driven. Il is
true that no assessment was made. II q
| single Ulited States officer can thus with
out any great effort turn the tide of politics
IN State, whist cannot all the United States
| officers when combined effscP This leaf of
/ history, which is as true as Holy Writ, Ger
tainly shows In glaring colors the great
| power over politics that the Federal patron
age possesses. Ii was a neat and bold game,
well conceived by Commissioner Raum, but
| the question will probably be asked, II with
such methods IN vogue we have all cur
boosted Iiberty2 There is nothing against
| law in the plan which Commissioner Rsum
adopted to carry Virginia, but as friend OF
| mine ssid 10 a man who was defending
Brady's star route scheme, "You will admit
at least that be is open to criticism"
/ --%<-q-~@