Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-09-18
VIRGINIA.
The Complicated Political TangIs
unravelIed.
Malone Surrounded by Manv Perils-The
Debt Question Out Of Polities-Appre-
tensions Of Corupting Fund
From Washington.
PARS0N MASSEYS BIG CAMPAIGN.


Malone is the recognized head and from
and at the same time the uncompromisin
boss, OF what is called the Liberal or c.
alition party. Indeed, the party has s.
many names that it puzzles its own leader
to define each before the people. The
call it in some parts Of the State the "Lih
eral or Coalition" party; in others, wher
the leaders are aiming to deceive the peo
pie and to make them believe that they ar
not beiug transferred to the Arthur o
Radical camp, they cling to the old name
of "Readjuster" party, despite the fac
that the debt question has been settled, i
out of politics and will 60 eventually t
the supreme court for final settlement
The very fact that this question is out o
politics
Embarrasses Malone
and his henchmen, and not having AM
issue the only way the boss can hold hi.
mongrels together is to offer them a few
crumbs of Federal patronage.
The situation Just is now q complicated
one, and though your correspondent has
conversed with prominent Democrats from
all parts Of Virginia he will not attempt "a
sum up the probable result, but after Civ.
ing.the leading opinions will let any who
read this draw their own conclusions.
1t will be remembered that Malone s
Radical Repudiating Legislature last winter
attempted to gerrymander the Congress.
ional districts, and the proposed divis On
was so unjust and high.handed that foIr
OF the Senators revOlted, one Of the num-
Der having previously acted az straight
out Republican. Long will the day be re
membered in the Old Dominion. When old
Senator Newberry who was the first 10 re-
vOlt-and in doing so he left the chamber)
left Malone he cried out in stentorian
tones,
"This Way, Free Men; Follow Mel"
Three Senators did follow him and for the
first time the would-be political dictator OF
Virginia found that he was not the imperi.
al boss that he had set himself up to be.
By that memorable revolt Mahones deep.
laid schemes were defeated, among which
was the commissioner-oi-sale bill. 1t WIS
intended by this bill that there should be q
commissioner in each county whose duty
would be to settle up and take charge of es-
tates, and turn over to the Malone organ
in each county a liberal amount of adyer-
tising. 1t this way the boss would have
had newspaper in every county, and The
patronage would have sustained the shee .s
Old Parson Massey, as he is called, con.
ceived, il is said, the revolt, and persuaded
two of the big Four" to join Senator New.
berry, and this brings nie to the
point. Mr.. Massey is can.
didate for Congressman-at t-Large. He an
nounced himself early in the campaign an
Independent candidate, taking particular
crat. his platform was that OF the National
Democratic party, and if elected he would
act and work with that party for the over
throw of the spoils and boss system, and to
dethrone the corrupt Radi cal combination,
owned by Arthur, Conkling, Cameron d
Co. Mahones State Committee, acting
under previous instructions from the little
boss who left Washington to see that the
lob was done properly, selected John 5.
Wise as the Radical candidate. The Demo-
cratic State Committee met subsequently
and declined to call convention, or to
make nomination, thus giving
Mr.. Massey a Quasi Nomination.
At first there was great deal of dissatis-
faction, and many OF the Democratic news.
papers and leading men in the party refused
10 support Massey. But when it was shown
that Massey had struck Malone what some
think his fatal blow, and that he would
stand the best chance OF election, the dis
affected began TO fall into line, and there
is great enthusiasm for old Parson Massey
in all parts of the state. He has been un::
ceasing in his canvass. He has pail, OF
lungs that would make blacksmiths bel
lows blush, il such a thing were possible;
and he has gone into the fight with bull
dog determination which may win for him
victory.
In addition TO being one Of the finest OF
stump sneakers, he is q preacher. lie talks
politics all the week and breaches in the
woods on Sunday TO thousands. A few
Sundays ago, he preached in county In
Soutbwest Virginia, where the Read djusters
have been very strong, and his sermon took
so we'll with the Baptist Read iusters that
it is said he made many political converts,
If no rel igious.
Added TO the fight at home, II is evident
that Malone is being
Attacked From Qutside,
and knowing ones say that the plumet
knight James G., Blaine, OF Maine, ia al
the bottom of the latest and most poten
opposition to Malone. The Ex-Secretary
OF State, il is said. could not bear the idei
of Mahone's paving the way for Arthur 4
receive Virginia's twelve votes in the mex
Republican convention, and at Blaine's ur
gent solicitation il is believed the straight
out Republican nomination for Congress
man-at-large was made. The nominee o
the straightouts is named Dawson, and h,
is also Baptist preacher, but he is a col
ored IN an, and perhaps the smartesl mar
of his race in the State. He Is making {
most vigorous campaign. and the best au
thorities tell me that the contest now Il
really between Massey and Dawson, as tn,
negroes in the south side are stand
ing by Dawson to a man. The onl.
| thing feared is that the Mahoneites ma!
withdraw Wise and support Dawson; II
this part OF the State the majority OF fh'
| negroes are going for Wise, rs they are cios'
to Washington and obey INSTRUCTIONS pei
ter than the negroes in the Scatnern Por
tioR Of the State. At present ii e nopeC
by the best men OF the State that goo
portion of the negroes will vote for Wlss
and in that event they hope
Massey Will Pull Through.
Should Wise be withdrawn your CORES
pondent. from the observations made, fall
| 10 see how that will benefit Malone. Tut
white Readjusters will not vote for Dawson
| in preference to Massey, and as Dawson i
| denouncing violently from the stump Ma
| hone and his methods, his election woult
be anything but Malone victory. Shoult
Massey be elected 1t would be the death
knell Of the repudiating party.
Already they say the boss is depressed
and his organ. the Richnfond Wing, has {
spasm every day. Gov. Cameron has beer
| making some violent speeches, and th'
other day in harangue said that he woulC
not give the pa-ings of Gen. Mahone's toe
nails for al the Bourbon Fnnden' il
Virginia. 1t is understood that Gen. Billy
| will parade around the State himself, ant
| it is Whispered that Chester A. Arthur vii
visit several points during the campaign
| In order to arouse the enthusiasm whicl
seems 10 be dying out in the coalition
ranks, and to reclaim, il possible, some o
| the deserters from the ranks OF the petit.
boss. Blaine will visit the Richmond fai
next month. -
In the First Congressional District
there lie triangular fight, and Mr.. Garrison
| the nominee Of the Democrats, is likely
have q walkover in consequence. Mahon