The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-12-28
Remarks of Gen. Malone.

slant, Wnlle tnaL DOuy Dau nnuer cOnsiuola-
lion the Civil Service Bill, addressed that
body in substance, as follows:
Mr.. Malone addressed the Senate in pre-
pared speech. He thought the direct account
ability of public officers To the people the
safest guarantee for tae proper discharge OF
their duties, and believed that the honorable
contention of political parties would ever serve
10 stimulate to such performance OF duties
and afford the means Of correcting abuses. Ii
these existed the executive heads were re-
sponsibe, and reform could not be effected by
interposing an irresponsible agency, like this
between them and their respon-
sbility Turning from the bill, he proceeded
to reply to certain references to himself winch
he found in the RecOyd of the first week OF the
present session. The senator from Kentucky
lMr. Beck had made an open circular letter
issued by him (Mahone), as chairman OF the
Readiuster State Committee OF Virginia, the
basis in part, of resolution proposing one
sided investigation.
Mr.. Beck Does the senator think II pro-
posing a one-siGed investigation to refer the
whole matter to Republican committee OF
which the distinguished senator from YER
mont (Mr Edmunds) is chairman?
Mr. Malone | certainly think II was a
one-sided proposition to propose 10 lnVesti-
gate one side OF the campaign IT, Virginia ana
not to be willing to investigate the other
Mr.. Malone assured Mr.. Beck that he would
90 with HIM in the support OF any measure
within the bounds of the constitution to Sc
cure fair and free elections, ana to prohibit
and punish the use of money in connection
with them. To tighten the burden OF The III
vestgating committee and for the satisfaction
of senators interested, he would state tfiat the
circular letter referred 10 had been sent TO 20
of the 800 postmasters in Virginia, aud that
of those only ninetv-twO responded. VI the
other government officials in that State, about
270 in number, exclusive of three III The light
house and life saving services, the letter lad
been sent to 46. and only 10 hau responded.
In the departments in Washington, exclusive
of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing anu
the War Department, there were 342 employees
charged to Virginia The circular had been
sent to 90 of these, and responses had been re-
ceived from 40. And no authority over any
of these employees had been consulted about
the circular, or informed TO whom 1t mad been
sent in any case, or what response had Deen
received. He had nothing TO conceal about
this matter He then read from the Record
some remarks made by Mr.. Bsyard on the de-
bate on the Beck resolution for III investiga-
ton, in which he spoke of "the statements
published last falr' that the decapitation OF
uUlOIluudtt lIoL W. c
SO general that blanks were kept to be filled
out with the names of the Victims removed
because they refused to prostitute their places
for political ends. Apart from the criticism
levelled at my conduct said MIR. Malone.
there is implied here serious allegation
against the conduct of the departments which
would not be becoming id any place upon
such authority as that which the senator has
taken. The properties ard usages OF this
chamber do not permit me to characterize this
statement as it deserves, but will say that 1t
is, from beginning 10 end, and in All its parts,
untrue and without the slightest foundation
in fact"
Mr.. Beck | hope the senator FROM Vir-
gina will avail himself of the opportunity 10
go before the Judiciary Committee and make
all those things clear.
Mr.. Malone. | shall be happy to meet the
senator from Kentucky and his party sympa.
thizers in the State of Virginia before that
committee, and | will say to him now that
damned be he who first cries hold enough"
Laughter
Mr.. Beck. l hope he will go there and
stand up.
Mr. Malone. When shall fail to stand up
it will be time enough for the senator from
Kentucky to suggest that snail stand up.
Mr.. Malone went on to speak OF the state
ment about blanks for decapitating purposes
as an attrocious calumny taken from some IN
named newspaper, and deted the production
of any such blanks or the name of any gov
eminent employe whose removal had been
made at his instance. directly or indirectly
for refusing to contribute or Ito prostitute
his office" for the benefit Of the Readjuster
party.
During his whole term in the Senate just
four department employees haye been removed
m tbra - dapf of
Virginia, though charged to that State and
the fourth only recently resident. He did
not deny that he sought to have other re.
movals made in order that the places might
be filled with Virginians, for OF the 342 offices
constituting Virginia's quota, two-thirds were
occupied by non-residents, or persons who
had only recently become residents of the
State
Mr.. Beck said that in offering his resolution
for an investigation he had merely recited no.
torous facts, which he desired to have inves-
tigated, and he had not attempted to forestall
action, but, on the contrary, had proposed to
refer the matter TO the Committee on the
Judiciary. Whether the senator from Virginia
and the Read Ister party had any right to call
upon the postmasters and postmistresses in
Virginia, or whether objection was made in
any official quarter to their doing SO, were
among the things he desired to ascertain by the
investigation. He did not know whether
Miss Bette Bumgardner was still postmistress
at Honeyyille, Va, or whether she was out.
Mr.. Malone said Mr.. Beck would obllge
him by producing the original circular alleged
to have been addressed TO that lady.
Mr.. Beck admitted his inability to comply
with the request. As to any temper exhibited
by the senator from Virginia about what had
been done in this matter, or his remark that
if the prophecies of the place permitted he
would use stronger language, Mr.. Beck
thought he had done nothing which would
bring him under the Virginia code. There
were good many unsettled AFFAIRS" among
gentlemen in that State, and perhaps they had
better be settled before any suggestions were
made about going outside the State. All
want is the truth, said Mr. Beck; | don't want
to fight laughter, and if the Judiciary Com
mittee report that everything done by the
senator from Virginia and the Resdjuster par
ty is all right, shall be satisfied. The senator
from Vermont (SIr. Edmundsl can be relied
upon to do his allies justice in all matters of
that kind. Laughter.