West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-03
MahOnc's Power Waning.


Senator Mahone's dictatorlal methods
In Virginia politics threaten tu BRING
about his speedy downfall. They have
not only made IL impossible To unite his
Read ulster forces and the "StraiVhtout'
Republicans but have produced a ~
volt m his own organization and ar
raNed aga nSt him some of tho most
prominent leaders of his party, incmd-
lug Governor Cameron, Senator Rid
dlebcrgcr ana Congressman at-Large
John =. Wise. With such a comhina.
ton against him, with local disatlectiou
throughout the State. and with the prac-
teal alienation OF the National Re-
publican Committee from his fortunes.
ms days as party dictator seem TO be
numbered.
General Malone has been n political
posS OF the most pronounced type,
and only peculiar condition Of poll
tics IN his State and diScrcdtablc al
lance between him at the head of
the National Administration have
made his career of the last few wears
possible. The spirit of population
IN Virginia gave him his opportunity.
On the question of readjusting the
State debt so as to bring the principal
and interest within the means of the
State 20 pay without an increase of
taxes he formed new party in 1879.
III elected enough members OF the ep-
lslature to elect him senator with the
ad OF few Republican votes. At
mat time he profcsscd TO be good
democrat in National politics, and i'm
1851 his party supported Hancock with
separate electoral ticket. But his
course put him in direct hostility TO the
regular Democratic organization in the
state. As Senator his course was to
ne determined solely by his own po-
hllcal interests, and the e ual division
oil the senate, without h ) vote and
with David Davis in the chair, gave him
eNccptlona. power He used il TO effect
an alliance with the Republicans. one
condition of which seemed 10 be the
control of federal patronage i'm virginia.
In 1871 he succeeded in producing CO.
ahtion of the Readiusters with the great
or part of the Republicans, and through
that Cameron was elected Governor
that year and John :. Wise Congress
man at-Large the year following.
he control of Federal patronage en-
abled him IL strengthen his hold on the
organization which now ruled the State
and ne used it for all it was worth. He
assumed TO dictate tho action of the
Legislature and of all nominating bodies
IN the State. Lattcrly he has claimed
the right even to designate the Chair
men of local comm ttees, and has
brooked no dissent from his mandates.
In return for the support which he had
received from the Administration 30
undertook TO carry the Virginia dele
CATION to the Chicago Convention
pledged TO support the denomination of
President Arthur. Since that conven.
tion the latent disailcction produced by
his automatic ways has developed until
the Republf aniZcd Readjuster organi-
ton has been rent in twain. Governor
Cameron and those who have Joined
him arc likely TO elect union of their
faction with the remnant of Republic
ans who kept out of the coalition of
1881, and General Malone will be left
powerless This gives promise of
breaking up, for the time at least
sf boss rule in the State Of Virginia
General Malone has at no time
shown any attachment to principle. He
used the reputation movement to pro-
mote his own personal power. Hcpro-
fcsSed solicitudc for the cause of edu-
cation and the rights OF coorcd citizens
to ellie the coalition which gave him
control OF the State Government He
used his peculiar position in the senate
to obtain control oil Federal appoint
ments i'm Virginia as means of
Strengthening his hold ~ political or
ganizcr II is the chief disgrace OF the
present Administration at Washington
that he was permitted 10 succeed i'm
this. But his selfish policy and his
dictatOrial methods have at last pro
duccd their inevitable results. Others
have their ambitions as we'll rs Inc, and
the people do not long submit to the
control Of an autOcratIc leader. POpu-
lar disailectiOn, the revolt of his former
lieutcnants. loss OF sympathy outside of
the state, and the lack of motive for
further support from the Administra-
ton threaten 20 leave him stranded.
There will probably bc no course for
him after the coming election but to re-
Sire from politics and muse on the
vicissitudcs of "boss' rule in free Re
public ~ T. Times.