Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-01-20
THE PRINCIPLE OF SPOLLS.


new Coalition party in Virginia so clearly
revealed the inferior and unpatriotic mo-
lives by which it is actuated in its admin
istration of public affairs, as in Audi
tor Massey's case. PartiZanry in politi-
cal matters is the natural outgrowth
of party organization. but partizanry
within a political organization is the
natural result of bossism. The fact that
Auditor Massey has made one OF the best
officers the State has ever had has bsen |
unanimously claimed by his political
friends and almost as generally admitted |
by his political enemies. Whether he |
would have kept up his activity after his
party friends replaced the minor State
officials he stirred up to their duty; wheth-
er bare spice of political anlmoslty IN
the firm and searching administration OF
his office towards others was not valua-
Bile and active element in making him an
efficient officer of the State are open ques-
tions, but the fact of his great superiority
as an officer is open to no questioning atall.
So conceded was this that his party made
his efficiency sort of excuse for refusing to
promote him. They declined making HIN
Governor because he was so good an Au-
ditor, and they refused to make him Sena-
tor on the same ground. Virginia they
said needed John E. Massey IN her Audi
tors office, and the efficiency of bis ad-
ministration of his Office was aired by them
at every hastings.
But while enjoying this fine reputation
with the members of his party. it has not
for long time been thought in the world
of political rumor that he stood as well
with the head of that party or that to
that head, better known as the Boss. his
political determination would not be unob
iectionable. While a faithful officer to the
State he was a troublesome lieutenant to
the leader. He was the father of the Re-
adjustment movement in Virginia, and
when many Of the present leaders were
funders of the most pronounced type, he
was stalwayt of stalwarts, flooding the
State with REIMBURSEMENT pamphlets prin
ted at his own cost. He had first origina-
ted the plan of getting the Republican vote
of his county to beat the Democracy with.
/ He had made sacrifices; had Withdrawn
from the congressional race in the 18th dis
trict in order that Paul might have bet
ter chance; he had with eloquent tongue,
but sick heart, endorsed ths triumph OF
his competitor Cameron at the June con
vention; he had strong personal follow
ing, in short he had every claim to con-
sideration. But the outsiders who some
times see clearer than the insiders, it has
ALWAYS seemed that there was an invisible
hand barring Massey off. The feeling that
there was such an adverse influence was so
strong that almost any Democrat could
have told you that he would not be Cover
nor, that he would not be U. s. Senator
and, two weeks ago, could have added the
information that be would not be any lon
ger Auditor.
The immediate cause. of his sacrifice,
though we presume it has long been de,
termined on, was his refusal to consent
that in the administration of the most i'm
portant office in the Commonwealth, and
one involving great responsibility. he
should accept as his assistants mum
Der of clerks to be named by others, an
acceptance to be forced on him in the
execution of a general plan which
had been adopted for the division of the
spoils. Mr.. Massey held that in admins
tering an Office of such wide reaching ram
ifcations and of such grave responsible
ty to its occupant and such vital impor-
lance to the Conan on wealth, the head OF
it should have the selection of the clerks
for whose work he was accountable, and
not be forced to take new inexperienced and
uncertain assistants. There is no success
full impeachment of the correctness of this
position. It is unassailable, but the "a
pacity OF those in pursuit of place could
not be appeased, and like the famished
wolves of the forest, they have not hesita-
ted to turn upon one of their own band
and devour him. The malign influence
which has SO often but so silently thwart
ed the venerable Auditor still pervaded
the air and his fate was sealed.
The fate of Mr.. Massey may be taken
as warning by many Of his fellow pio-
QHGTSs 1UucCIo dIS al dyo olOPpOu Oe1iiy
are executed, or disin obscurity. Mr.. Mas
sey, the pioneer of REIMBURSEMENT, and
Mr.. Lewis, the pioneer of Republicanism.
are shelYed. Neither are likely to be heard
of as political powers again. Those who
but lately kissed them are already swear
ing they never knew the men. Both, and
many like them, will have time in their re-
tirement to reflect On the uncertainty Of
calling in the aid of a political boss. The
gratitude of such one has been accurately,
described as lively sense of fayors to come
and having used up his political friends
to the utmost capacity of their ability, he
lis not likely to have further use for them
Massey sowed the seed. Lewis furnished
laborers to harvest the crop and Malone
gathered it into his granary, is condensed
history of the new Readjuster-R Republican
Coalition party in Virginia.
THE COUPON KILLING BILL.
This bill introduced by Mr.. Riddleber-
ger has become law. The operation I'M
der it Invested of technical verbiage is
thus briefly described: You tender your
coupon: the collector receives it, endorses
YOUR name on it and seals it up in an en-
peloue. hut informs you that at present