Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-22
The Blair Bill.

When the Democrats invite United
States senator who voted against the BLAIR
bin to come TO Virginia to speak. and yet
persist in charging The Republicans with
being enemies Of that bill, they will be In
the position In which the BlAineltes In this
State now find themselves.
In this connection, LET us say that the
resolution Of the Democratic National Con-
vention declaring against collecting money
by Federal sgents 10 be distributed
amongst ths States cannot be construed to
refer to the BLAIR bill without making the
Democrats stultify themselves. The pre-
tence that 1t has such q meaning is hardly
worthy OF refutation. AS HORACE GREE
LEY In 1859 did "spit upon" the Wing
platform, though one Of the most distiR-
guished Of the leaders OF the party, so
the Democrats OF the whole country,
and especially Of the South, would
"spit upon" the platform adopted
by their party's Convention In Chi
csgo IL 1t had any such meaning as it
has been attempted TO give II. II we
are told that some North Carolina Demo
Graf opposes the BLAIR bill. we answer
that United States Senator RANSOM, from
North Carolina, voted for the BLAIR Oil,
and that this distinguished gentleman is
true representative Of the Democrats OF
North Carolina. Everybody must admit
that since In the United States Senate
Messrs. Brown and CoLQUITT OF Georgia,
CALL and JONES Of Florida, GARLAND Of
Arkansas, GEORGE Of Mississippi, HANP-
TON OF South Carolina, JACKSON OF Tennes-
see, JONAS Of Louisiana, KENSA Of West
Virginia, pU0H Of Alabama, RANSOM OF
North Carolina, and WILLIAMS OF Ken
lucky, all Democrats, and many OF them
very distinguished men, voted for the
BLAIR bill, and as these gentlemen |
are the most conspicuous representatives |
OF The Democratic party TO be found in |
their several States, ii Is gnawing file for |
the Blainoites 10 attempt to convince the
constituents Of these distinguished gentle
men that they or the party for which they
speak are opposed 10 the BLAIR bill. No
body believes that auy one Of the gentlemen
named is opposed TO it. These gentlemen
ire the representative men OF their party
n their several States. Therefore, it fol-
ows that they speak for their party; and
I SO, that the Democratic party as party
8 in favor Of the BLAIR bill.
There were forty -four votes cast for and
Igainst the BLAIR bill when II was put
ipon its passage In the United State Senate.
rhirty-two senators failed to vote-were
absent. it 10 to be presumed. Are these
hirty-two senators 10 be set down as Cd.
posed TO the billi II SO, General MALONE
. opposed to the bill, since he was absent,
The absentees were not equally divided
'etween the two parties sixteen each
ut consisted Of fourteen Democrats and
ighteen Republicans. II the absent Demo-
rats are to be counted against the bill, the
bsent Republicans must also be counted
gainst 1t. That's clear case.
The Blaineites, not we, raised this
uestion. We have not seen Though ii
Iay have been done) that the same question
ss been raised in any northern State, nor
nongst the constituents of any OF the
who voted against the bill. We ,
'nnot imagine that Mr.. EDnUNDs, or Mr..
AwEs, or Mr.. BLAIR would be guilty OF '
lch an act as charging upon Mr.. RANSOM,
: Mr.. brown, or Mr.. HAMPTON, that his :
ar,y was opposed to the BLAIR bill. Mr.. !
LAIR knows too well who are its friends.
10 Is in earnest in his advocacy OF it. He
nows that II the bill is to be passed at all.
must be passed with the aid OF Demo
ratio Votes. No real friend Of the bill will ,
y to iniure IL. :
Beaz In mind the facts we have stated. .,
nd then credit, II you can, the charge that :
'e Democratic party as party is opposed
the BLAIR bill, or the charge that the
emocratic platform declares against the
LAIR bill. Then, II you have any doubts .
to the position Of the Democrats OF Vir- =
mia on this subject, ask the first repre-. .
NATIVE Democrat you meet-say Mr.. BAR h
'rR. since tho Blaineites charge him with
inG the "Boss" Of his party. !,