Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-11-30


@TAUNTON. VA.
FRIDAY MORNING, NOV. 80, 1888.
THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF TIR-
GINA.
Parties have gone through some marked
changes in Virginia in the last fifteen
years, and passed through some startling
Inconsistencies. 1t must have puzzled
Northern Republican who came to Vir-
einia since IT, to Grd his party first aid
ing by its vote. and then going over bodily
tn the assistance of faction which had
for the principal plank in its platform the
read;ustment of the State debt. A Nor
thern Democrat must have been equally
puzzled to see bis party here waging a
fierce war for the payment of the State
debt. and yet refusing by overwhelming
maiorities in the Legislature. to raise the
taxes, the only means by which itAceuid
be accomplished. Inside Of Virginia, for
there are none outside. it must have puz-
zled Readjuster tose party professedly
advocating the rights of the people,
change into a political organization in
which the people hardly had voice, and
which belonged sim ost absolutely to one
man. We take il, upon reviewing the
field, which is now clear OF the spoke
of the conflict, and in which the eom
batants have subsidized into their real
elements, Democrats and Republicans,
that all parties to the fight have, in one
shape or another, gotten something OF
what they were struggling for. The b.
publican party has lifted from its members
the payment of the capitation tax and the
whipping post law, for which its leaders
paid by almost total deprivation Of recug-
milton by the Federal Administration. The
Democratic party has learned the severe
lesson of three consecutive defeats, and
gained much valuable experience for which
it paid by staying out Of power for four
years. The original Readjusters seem to
be the only people who really made q
clean balance-sheet of gain all the way
through-the only party that didn't suffer
defeat. They were determined to have
the State debt readjusted, and they ham
mered at it until they accomplished it,.
Having accomplished it they generally
fell back into the Democratic ranks FROM
which they came. That the Coalition lists
should be beaten was nothing to them,
what they wanted the coalition for. was to
use it in adjusting the debt, and having
used it they are quite willing it should
take care of itself in the Republican party,
its future home. Nor has Gen. Malone
been loser without any gain in the strug-
gle. In the Democratic party he was help
less. He made many efforts to rise but
failed. His adoption of the idea of read
justment, and his successful negotiation
Of an alliance with the Republican party
In Virginia won for him place in the
United States Senate. which there was
little if any prospect of his attaining had
not the disturbance Of the old party organ
izations taken place. Two of the names
used during the struggle will disappear;
Readjuster, which has already fallen into
disuse. and Coalition. which has now to
bear the stigma of disastrous defeat.
The two parties that will engage 10 the
contest the coming year. will be the DEM
ocratic aud the Republican parties.
The Democratic party commences tie
new year with eighteen thousand popular
majority, a larger one than tile Coalition
ever got in the State-and An almost two
thirds vote IN the legislature. The proha-
bllities are that before the legislature has
been many days in session the Democrats
will have more than two-tbi-ds maj Jrity
from Democratic members elected on the
Coalition ticket, and the Coalition guy. T.
nor will, for the rest of his term, rank as
superfuous factor of the State govern
nent, as far as the direction of Legislation.
is concerned. This fact gives the Demo
cratic party SO much the greater response
bIlty. In view of this responsibility W.
should like to make some suggestions
LIST. Take such pointed, plain and IN
mistakable action as shall convince ti:-
creditors of the State that if they wan
their bonds settled they must fund unde;'
the Riddleberger bill. and that by no pos
utility will they get their money in AL.
other way. Virginia does not want tie
Gebt to remain in the unfanded and un
businesslike plight it now is. Such dc r
by Democratic legislature will convinc
the creditors that they have come to tht
end of their rope.
End. Make firm the confidence of thu
people in you on the question of the school
81. At the earliest day possible make
the confidence of the colored people isi
yaur fair treatment of them firm, by put
ing on record your feelings and intentions
towards them. You know bow ignorai.'
can understand it. And follow 1T up ES
legislation giving them control of their
own schools, with the money to run them
After having done these things satisfacr
torily. you have done what the whole pes
pie of Virginia are DESTROYS of your doing
and then you may turn year attention to
matters of Office. This should be a very
short horse to curry. The patriotism Of oat
people will furnish you an ample list from
which to select. Remember that the man
must be fit either to discharge, or to leatn
to discharge the duties, and that he mus:
have contributed some activity to the de-
liverance Of the State. which took place
November 6th. Beware of archaic candi-
dates with obsolete records, or what is
worse, with Objectionable records. A few
nouns spent IN examining the records of
candidates viii probably save you from
long days Of chagrin.
Do not become oppressed with the idea