Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-05-16

Q. What keeps your forces together ?
A. There is not so much sticking on
terms as formerly. Our forces under
stand that the common enemy is the
Bourbon fiction Of the Democratic
party. They understand that this fac
ton is opposed 10 all the changes an d
improvements the Readjusters have
made, and the lively sense Of the inju-
ry that would follow a reversal Of these
serves 10 keep our forces united.
Q. Which of the elements IN your
party are the most factious? A. The
So called stralghtout white Republicans
and the so-called coored leaders,
These two elements are continually
troublesome. Many of the sJ-called
straightout white Republicans are grea,
Civil-Service reformers. They oppose
all exls ting methods Of party manage
men and usually find refuge IN the
Bourbon Democratic party-a good
place for them. Many of the so-called
colored lea 1ers are a great source OF
trouble. They 90 not seem to under
stand that during sixteen years, during
which time the Republicans had control
OF the National Government, the COL
ored men enjoyed no rights.in Virginia.
They could no. vote they could not
sit on a jury; they could not hold office;
they bad a miserable apology for pub
lie schools; they had whipping post
many of these. .so-called leaders do not
understand the present immunity and
privileges they enjoy. Ore of these
men was appointed one Of the guards
at tho penitentiary at salary of s72O
per annum, but sold the job for 500,
aud is now creating a disturbance 10 his
county. We have some of these men
IN higher positions. They do not save
anything. aud are constantly creating
dissatisfaction.
@. How do you find the mass Of col
ored yoters2 A. I have little trouble
with them. They understand and
appreciate the great changes, the inn
proved condition, they now enjoy. And
this is also true of the rank and file o.
the poor white Readjusters. The pre-
dominant aim is 10 hold the State
Government for the good of these poor
er classes Of our party, who are the
greatest benefciaries of liberal govern
ment.
Q. There seems to be some appre-
hension among colored men as to the
policy ofyour party 10 the coming na'
tional contest. Can you say what that
policy will be? A. No. 1t is not possi'
BILE at this tine TO indicate what the
policy of any Of the parties will be in
1884. But this l do know: The Read
iuster party of Virginia will not adopt
the policy or cooperate with the Bour-
bon Democratic party. We have moth
inc in common. 1t is opposed to al
the aims the Readjuster party has II
view.
o. Then, the main object Of you
party in 1884 will be to retain the State
government and to continue its admin
istration for the best interest OF all,
especially the poor people of the Statei
A. That is the object we have IN view,
aud all our efforts will be directed (
that end.
Q. Senator. what do you consider tc
be the proper relation OF the Readjus
ter party to The colored members oil 1t
A. The very same relation it bears tt
its white members. l know no differ
ence except that ofcapabihty. We in
tend that all the elements shall stanC
upon the same footing and enjoy the
same benefits. All have the same right
to sit on jury and TO hold office if capa'
bic to enjoy the full benefits of tn
school iund, to stand before the law OIL
the same footing. We seek to admin
ister the affairs OF this State impartial.
giving to every man the common justice
which should be The aim Of Govern
ment.
At12 o'clock returned to the pleas
ant company l lad deserted for an hou
feeling that however many faults (~h'
is without guilt?) Senator Malone ma.
have. the colored people and the poo
whites of Virginia have a friend VIII
understands their proper relations iC
the State, and who seeks TO make tha
relation all il should be.
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