Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-12-12
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

Special correspondence OF the Alexandria GAZETTE.
RICHMOND, Dec. 11.-As is the case in
political bodies, there were combinations in
! the democratic caucus tonight, ard as a
result the nominations have surprised outsid.
ers. The friends of Mr.. Shcpperd, who was
| Il candidate for Secretary OF tho Common
wealth and Mr.. Henk!e, who was candi-
date for Auditor, combined their forces, as
did the friends Of Messrs Berkeley aud
Marye, candidates for the same place. OF
course friends OF the defeated candidates are
disappointed, but the fighting all the way
| through, has been open, fair and manly and
! in striking contrast to the methods dictated
! by Malone, the Boss, two years ago. To-day
the fighting was spirited and exciting, and
| it was evident that Marye's forces were get
ting better organized every hour.
Col. Rutin's nomination by reclamation
| was recognition of the wishes of the read
ulster democrats and the spontaneity with
| which he was nominated, shows the cordial
appreciation of the services of that wing of
the party.
Mr.. Duff Green made another mistake to-
day in trying to charge that the selecting Of
DR.. Lawson, of Isle Of Wight was precon-
certed thing.
A petition signed by nearly all the demo
cratic members Of the Legislature, members
of the Chamber of Commerce and leading
citizens generally, asking Speaker Carlisle
to appoint Hon. George ID. Wise chairman
of the Committee on River and Harbor I'm
provements, was forwarded to-day. Mr..
Wise is an enthusiastic believer in the i'm
portance ofimproving the rivers and harbors
Of Virginia He will make a vigorous fight
for the deepening Of James river.
Mays, the Jetlries of Botetourt county, is
expected in the city tonight. He is aiming
to overcome the grave charges made against
him by people in hiscounty. These charges
are SO numerous and well-sustancd that
there is little doubt Of his impeachment
Mays gained national notoriety by his
novel judicial decision, the final of which
was that appearance in court with q cane
was punishable as contempt of court. This
man who sowed the wind is certainly
now reaping the whirwind 1t is more
than probable, too that the Legislature will
get after Clairborne, the ar-iamed ''lizzard
iudge.n He now claims to be a democrat
it is understood He has been remarkably
quiet for the past year, as he was sharp
enough to see further ahead than some of
his party.
Malone feels very keenly the resolution Of
condemnation and demand for his resigna-
tion His few remaining adherentsare hoping
that the ridicule they expect to cast on the
resolution will defeat it but in this they are
mistaken. The resolution will go through
both houses because it is eminently right.
In fact it is due Eirginias name and credit
that it should pass. Malone will be The
only Senator in the body upon whom the
stigmaof such resolution rests. All his bra
zen brag cannot alter that fact. Further
more, if he refuses to obey the sentiments
of the State, as expressed in that resolution.
he will be the only Senator who ever con.
sented to remain in his seat under such cir
cumstances. Senators in the few instances
in history where they have been called up
on to resign under such circumstances have
sometimes squlrmed but they nevertheless
resigned. This has been the rule. Now let
Malone refuse to resign, as be intends to
do; it will simply make his black character
before the whole country still blacker and
show what his opponents have always al
legged, that he is incapable of approaching
what is heightened and honorable
1t is understood that Malone is particular.
" rancoro,ls when commenting upon GER
tain recent independent utterances of Lieut..
Governor Lewis.
Ex-Judge H w. Fournoy, who was nom
mated tonight for Secretary Of the Com
monwealth, is son of the late Thomas S.
Flournoy. He lives in Abingdon and was
formerly conservative Judge Of Danville.
His nomination seems to give great salts |
faction to all parties and was really sort
of compromise on the part Of the Shepherd /
and Berkeley men. STRoNGEow.