The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-26
Cancuses.

IN NJ. long letter replying to Mr.. HOLMES
C.xp.p,s erposf Of Mahoucism, Captain
JOIN s. WISE speaks Of the caucus as nav
ing been resorted to by the Democratic
marty for many years past. The caucus IN
itself IA not what the Democrats object TO.
II Is the 1imd Of caucus. We have here
toforc explained fully the difference De-
tween an allowable caucus and MALONE
caucus. In an ordinary caucus. such
as those held by the Democratic members
Of Congress, or the Democratic members
OF State Legislature, or, as to tha' MAJ
ter, the Republican members OF Congress
or the Republican members Of STATE LIE
gisiatures, or by persons Of any party VIC
ever read or heard Of except the aaho"e
ties, the participants 60 into u unp'eueeu
exccot In a general way. They are at
liberty TO withdraw at any time oeiore
Gina, or decisive vote is taken upon any
question, or whenever they please. They
do not enter Congress or the State Legisla-
ture pledged to 20 into the caucus. They
do not enter the caucus pledged TO aoide
by its action, right or wrong, nor piedgea
to support all candidates and measures
which may be agreed upon by the cancus'
AS we understand II, every congressman
reserves to himself the right for good rea-
SON 10 withdraw from the caucus and vote
in the House or Senate as his best ludg-
ment may dictate. II this had been All
that the Mahoneite members OF the last
LEGISLATURE pledged themselves to, we
should never have made any objection 10
their caucus as caucus. ii is because
they left themselves no liberty OF action
whatever that we denounce the MALONE
caucus. Read once more the written
pledge required Of the Mahoneite members
of the last Legislature:
81 hereby pledge myself to stand by the
Readjuster party ana phtiornh' anu 10 20
into caucus with the Readjuster members
% The 7 legislature that meets at Richmond,
end vote for all measures, nominees, and
candidates TO be elected by the Legislature,
as the caucus may agree upon"
One Mahoneite might as well be empow-
cred 10 cast the vote OF all the members
bound by such pledge as that. No liberty
Of choice is left to any man who comes
under such an obligation. He must vote
for the worst candidate who can be nomi-
mated, and for the worst measure that can
be devised and agreed upon.
Such pledges are especially dangerous
lust now. There will be six or eight or
ten negroes In the next Legislature. Ne
proes have been nominated in counties and
districts where the negro majority is so
large that the nominees will probably be
successful. Now, bear IN mind this TACT
and then think OF the danger of electing a
majority Of Mahoneites to the General AS
sembly. They will come here, ii they come
at all, pledged to support any Bill when
the casting vote of these negroes in caucus
assembled along with tier white allies may
force upon the Mahoneite members as a
party measure.
The voters OF Virginia are abundantly
able to understand the wide difference be-
tween a legitimate and an illegihmate use
of the caucus-between Democratic eau
Gus and a Mahoneite caucus-betwceD
assembling for consultation and assembling
for the purpose OF converting men into
mere automatic. II the voters approve such
pledges as the one quoted above, let them
support the Coalition candidates for the
General Assembly. II not, let them stand
by the National Democratic party.