The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-23
Cixil-sarvica Raforna.

Whilst the United states senate Is en-
gagged In investigating matter with which
Il has no more to do than II has with the
twenty.six homicides committed In New
York during November, December, and
January last, the House OF Representatives
might very well turn Its attention 10 9
matter In which the whole country is in
tercssed, and which either House Of Con-
gress undoubtedly has right TO inquire
into. Hon. GEORGE ID. WISE, or Mr.. RAN
DALI, or any other good Democrat ought
10 be ready and willing TO devote the
needed time to the subject, and TO lei
the people Of the whole Union know thai
the present Administration has treated
with contempt an act OF Congress which
became law In consequence OF the ap'
proval Of the head OF the said Administra'
ton. Mr.. HAwLEY. OF Connecticut, Mr.
PENDLEr01, and other senator's, Republic
can and Democratic, who profess to de-
sire 10 make the ciyIl-service law sue
cess, are invited 10 read the following
paragraph from a report made in. the Vir-
ginia Senate on wednesday last by a mi
nority Of the Elections Committee OF that
body:
"Tbe evidence shows that Miles Fore
nam. Herbert Smalls, and others, all ne
groes. who are confessedly men OF great
influence with their race, volunteered their
services 10 Callahan. A committee OF
twelve negroes was formed, consisting OF
three from each ward, who were TO have
charge OF Calaban's canvass among ana
with the negro element. The names OF
this committee were published in the city
papers, and as soon as the fact OF their APP
pointment became known one John w.
oast. n Federal office-holder in the navy
ward in said city, and chairman OF the Co
alition Executive Committee, approached
some. N not all, OF the members OF this
committee, and offered them positions in the
nayy-yard provided they would come out
in a published card renouncing their alle-
glance TO and promised support OF Mr..
Callahan. The cards were published, po-
sifions in the navy-yard were thereupon
given them, and Mr.. Rue received their in
fuence and votes"
CALLAHAN is Straightout Republican.
He was Mr.. DEzENDoRF's right.hand man
in the campaign preceding the last election
for congressman, at which election Mr..
DEzEspoRp was the Straigbtout Republic
can candidate. Mr.. DEZEND0RF and Mr..
CALLAHAN are both supposed to be BLAINE
men now. Mr.. RUE Is CoSlitlonist.
Now, what say these members of the
Virginia Senate? They declare unequivo-
caIly and positively that it was proved be-
fore them that JOHN W. CAST, q Federal
office-holder in the United States navy
yard in Portsmouth, not only uniustihably
interiered In the contest aforesaid, but APP
preached some II not all OF the twelve
leading negroes whose names had been
published in the papers as supporters OF
Mr.. CALLAHAN, aud offered them positions
In the navy.yard IL they would come out
In Published card renouncing their ALE
gi1nce to and promised support of Mr..
CALLAHAN. Is that all? No, indeed. The
card was published, positions IN
THE MAYNARD WERE THERE
UPON GIVEN THEM, and Mr.. Rue, Co
alltioniSt, received their influence and
UoteS."
Are such outrages as this to go unpun-
ished-nay, unnoticed? Federal lnterfer-
ence in State elections for congressman is
bad enough; but Federal interference in
elections for members Of State Legislature
ought TO be condemned by every true
friend OF republican government. 1t
might easily happen that an INSCRIPTIONS
President Of the United States could thus
be enabled 10 decide the political complex
ion Of State Legislature.
"Ciyil-service REFORM! What COM
mentary are the facts which the Virginia
Senate has ELECTED upon the professions OF
Mr.. ARTHUR. What ought to be done with
a Secretary Of the Navy who thus counte-
nances open and fragrant violations Of the
law Of the land by his subordinatesS
But who il this Secretary OF the Navy
Who but the same WILLIAM K. CHANDLER
that distinguished himself in 1876 by aid
ing old ZACH. CHANDLER and Others IN
stealing electoral votes for the Republican
candidate for President of the United
Statess 1t is he-the man whose crimes
rendered necessary the appointment OF an
Electoral Commission to decide whether
Mr.. HAYES or Mr.. TnDEN had the lawful
title TO that exalted Office. Let Mr..
CHANDLER be investigated.