Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-03-16
MAHoNES POSITION.

The political status of Malone, the new
Senator from Virginia, is no longer
matter of doubt. He was on Monday
called out and compelled to define his
position on the floor of the Senate, and in
doing so threw himself. ''body, soul and
breeches," into the Republican ranks,
stamping him as traitor to the party
that elected him, and disgrace to his
State.
Mr.. Malone was elected to the Senate
by that faction of the Democratic party
known in Virginia as the readjusters-a
faction differing from the regular Demo
cratic party only on questions affecting
the payment of the State debt. AS re-
marked by Senator Hill he could not
have been elected even on local issues if
it had been known that he was other than
Democrat in national issues, or would
vote with the Republicans on any ques-
ton upon which the parties were divided.
In honor he was not even left with the
shallow refuge of independence to excuse
a participation in the councils of the
party. But honor is quality but little
esteemed, apparently, by this new Sen
ator. His idea of independence seems to
consist of acting directly counter to the
wishes of his constituents-disregarding
their implied if not their expressed COM
mands. 1t is an idea rot uncommon
among men of shallow brains, but this is
the first time any person elected to the
Senate of the United States has presumed
to act upon it.
That Malone is an exceedingly vain
and self-important man is very apparent.
That he is not also venal man will need
to be proved. An accident has placed
| him in a position where he can create a
tie in the Senate, and he has chosen to do
so, though he was elected with an entire
ly different understanding of what his
| course would be in such an emergency
He has acted with the full knowledge
that the casting vote of the Vice Presi-
dent will decide all disputed political
| questions in favor of the Republicans.
The Republicans have apparently under
stood his position for weeks past, though
the Democrats have been left in the dark
as to his intentions, circumstance that
leads to the inference that he long since
entered into a bargain whereby the Re-
publicans might command his vote, in
return for favors they might grant to him.
His price may have been paid down in
cash, or it may yet be coming in the form
of political favors But that he has either
received or is to receive his thirty pieces
of silver does not admit of doubt.
For such man the members of neither
party can have any respect. The
Democrats will loathe him as traitor;
| the Republicans will despise him as one
who bartered his honor for gain. His
| opinions will carry no weight on either
side of the Senate, nor among the people,
for all will know that they have been
bought and paid for He will be spurned
| by all as the meanest caitiff that walks
the earth He will never again be en-
trusted with public station, but will re-
tire to the obscurity from which he so
recently emerged, carrying with him the
contempt of every honest man. His loss
to the Democratic party at this time is not
as serious matter as it might at first
seem. True, he will be able to give the
organization of the Senate to the Repub-
licans, but with the executive, the ju-
dietary and the House of Representatives
in the hands of that party, so frail ten
ure upon the Senate would be of but
little service to the minority party. 1t
| would require constant effort to main
tain it. AS constituting so large minor
| ity, the Democrats can prove far more
effective as the aggressive than as the de-
fensive party. To the Republicans, Ma
homes vote will always be matter of
uneasiness. Though they have bought
and paid for him, they will always dis
| trust him, for there is no surety that
man who once barriers his honor will not
| do it again.
| 1t is some satisfaction to know where
Malone stands. His future conduct will
possess no public interest. 1t behooves
the Republicans, however, to look well
to their purchase-to guard him well and
jealousy. The time may concluded
is sure to come-when the fruits of his
perfdy will fall upon his desires, and like
dead sea fruit turn to ashes in his mouth.
Then he may desire to recant-to retrace
the fatal step he has taken. Though he
can never again be received into the
party he has so basely deserted, he will,
at any rate, forsake the company he now
delights to revel in, and become law
and party unto himself. Then both
purchasers and purchased may find that
there is no course as conducive to pros
perity as the straight path of honesty and
uprightness.
MICHIGAN finds its new liquor law
which increased the price of licenses,