Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-03-29
practical Politics and Practical
POlitcian.o

The DanviIie NeaUs, of the 22d of
March. publishes an editorial of near
three columns in length, under the title
above, devoted TO the record of General
Malone, from which the following is
an extract:
ut must be admitted that Senator Ma
hone has shown considerable shfewde
ness in the matter of Cooking after the
main chance.n He has certainly made
better bargain, considered in the light
OF pecuniary profit, than any of the
men did who four years ago stole the
presidency for Mr. Hayes. His one
single vote he has sold for more than
any of them got for their services, ar
duous as they were. Even "Aliunde
joel cannot hold a light to him as a
seller of an important vote on u critical
occasion.
but we have intimated our doubts
as to whether the denunciations which
have been heaped upon Senator Ma
hone by the good people of Virginia.
were altogether deserved. Why should
he not have sold his vote? We do not
mean to imply any approval Of the sci
ling of q vote by a high minded and
honorable Senator. Certainly rot. But
| is there any good reason why Senator
Malone should not sell HIS vote, when
ever he can find purchaser? Let us
see. He has been Il trader in votes for
many years in Virginia a the first
Legislature after the war he was de-
sirOus of procuring the passage of u bill
in his own interest as railroad presi-
dent. He succeeded In the effort and
that bill enabled him to edge his way
into the control of the lines OF railway
between Petersburg. and between Pc
tersburg and Lynchburg. and between
Lynchburg and Bristol. He had al
ready, by the kind backing of Gilbert c.
Walker, Chen president Of the First Ma
tional Bank at Norfolk J, acquired con
troll OF the railway between Norfolk and
Petersburg, and the passage of the bill
Just mentioned opened the door for him
to Lynchburg and thence to Bristol,
over the body of Col. Robert Owen,
and against the protests Of the private
stock holders. Aud how was The pas
sage of that bill procured? The terra
pin stews sanG champ agne at the Ex-
change hotel in Richmond, the wine,
women and cards'' for which the Nor
folk and Petersburg company's treasu-
ry was made to bleed, might tell the
tale if they could speak through the
| lips of w. f. Mercier, then Senator
from the Loudon district, and DR.. E.
G. Robinson, then Senator from Nor
folk city.
'This bill became the germ Of the
great "Consolidation Scheme under
| which the Common eslth was robbed
of over So, OO0, 600, and the private stock
holders of like large amount, but
which for six years made Gen Malone
railroad king" with salary of
S25. 900 year! And how was the leg
lslation necessary to put this great
''schemeu on its legs procured? If the
large sum of several hundred thousand
dollars expended for printing" ($72
0OO) for LAWYERS services" and for
swet groceries, could speak through
might be told!
"And how was the very election it
self, by virtue of which Senator Ma
hone holds his seat procured? By a
"bargain and SALE" under the terms of
| which the various offices elected by the
Legislature were apportioned" be
tween Radicals, negroes, and recalci-
trant Conservatives A bargain under
which even the robes of our county
Judges were put in as stock" and dealt
out as 'swagn to the various claimants
fer sevices rendered. In fine the whole
career of Senator Malone as q political
leader in Virginia, has been series of
BARGAINS AND SALES. Why should
not HE carry hiss practical politics"
into the Senate and continue his sys-
tenn of "bargain and sale" there ?"