The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-21

county OF Page, approved fcDruary IL
1884.
HOUSE BILL PASSED.
To release and transfer to the counties Of
Highland and Augusta the interest OF the
Commonwealth In the Staunton and Pc.
tersburg Turnpike Company.
SENATE BILLS PASSED.
To incorporate the Farmyille Lumber
Company.
To amend and re.enact section IL OF an
act entitled an act TO incorporate the town
OF Mines, in the county OF rage, ap
proved February 12, 1854.
NoRPoLK-cITY REGISTRARS.
Mr.. Mccormick asked to have placed on
the calendar bill placing Norfolk city
under the general law with reference TO
the appointment by an Electoral Board OF
registrars, Judges. &c. When the general
law was passed Norfolk asked to be ex-
cepted. Now II wants to come Under the
general law.
This will nos in the least affect the pend
ing election at Norfolk. 1he general law
does not 20 into operation until March 1st.
Mr.. Barham eCoalitionist) objected to
the motion, bu: ii was carried neyerthe-
less, and the bin placed on the calendar.
4
yIcroIyAPURNACE.
Senate bill to confer upon the Iron and
Steel Works Association OF Virginia, limit
ed, certain corporate privileges in this
State, was taken up.
An amendment proposed by the House
was agreed TO.
second amendment OF the House, Mr..
1 IN, fho FO1t anhcfitrfto
therefor, which was adopted:
"That said company ION their railroad
from The Chesapeake and Ohio to their pro-
pertyI shall be required to attach pas
sengef coach and carry passengers and
baggage, for compensation, to one OF the
trains each day passing from Goshen TO the
Rockbridge- Alum-Springs depot, and from
the said depot TO Goshen, from the 1st OF
June to the 1st OF October Of each year."
VALENTINES CASE.
Mr.. Barton, from the House, presented
the articles Of impeachment in the ease OF
Jackson l.. Valentine, county superiHtend-
ent OF schools for Hanover.
An extra session of the Senate win pro-
badly have to be held for the trial OF this
case.
CALLAHAN-RUE.
At 2:15 the Senate proceeded with the
consideration OF this case. Three Coili-
tionis.s and two Democrats OF the commit
tee reported in favor OF Mr.. Rue (COali-
tionistl. Three Democrats reported in
favor Of Mr.. Callahan (Straightout Repub-
lican). One Democrat did not sign either
report.
Mr.. WIckham said that he had taken a
great interest in this case. He spoke Of
Mr. Callahan as man whom he had long
known: as one who had always been
staunch and faithful, and who had resist
ed all sorts OF entreaties and force to make
him 90 into the Coalition ranks. Mr..
Wlckbam, in brief review OF the evil
dence, contended that Norfolkcomty vote
should be thrown out, because by false
representations many OF Callahan's sup
porters were prevented from voting. He
| also held that the navy.y9rd influence was
illegally eXerted against Callahan in Ports
mouth. He spoke warmly against such
Federal interference in Virginia elections
as has been carried on for three years past,
and thought this the opportunity to re-
buke it. He said that he should vote with
az free q conscience as ever he voted in his
| life to seat John Callahan.
Mr.. Thurman asked for the reading of
the report signed by Mr.. Dlggs and him.
self. lie admitted the Federal interference
substantially as charged, but be could not
find that this vicious practice had changed
enough votes to alter the result.
Mr.. Games (Coaitionist), OF NOttoway,
reviewed the evidence at length, and
claimed that it is true. rs the figures show,
that Rue is elected by $50. He SAID. con-
ceding every vote that Callahan claims
should be excluded, Rue is still elected by
4s votes. He (Mr. Gaines) stated that he
| had never voted Republican ticket in bis
| life, and that this is his first job in politics,
and that he has seen about rs much OF poll
ties as he wants. [Laughter.l
Mr.. Koiner called for the reading OF the
minority report--a long paper, closing as
follows:
The evidence shows that Miles Foreman, Her
bert Sm1ls, and others; al negroes, who are con-
| fcssf div men of great Influence with their race,
volunteered their services to Callahan. COM
| mltec Of twelve negroes was formed consisting
OF three from each ward, who were 10 have charge
| of Callahan's canvass among and with the negro
element. The names Of this committee were pub
shed I'm the CITY papers and as soon as the TACT OF
| their appointment became known, one John w.
/ Cast, Federal Oficc-hOlder In the navy. yard
/ I'm said city, and chairman OF the COali-
| ton Executive Committee. approached some.
Z
| offered them POSITIONS in the nayy-yard. provided
| they wOnld come out In published card renOunc-
ing their allegiance TO and promised support OF
! MIR. Callahan. The cards were published, posi-
tions In the nayy-yard were thereupOn given them.
and MIR. Rue received their influence and votes.
\ To what extent this Illegal and corrupt arrange
| nient ted against Callahan cannot with any
certainty be stated, but Ii does appear that one
of the negroes who was thus seduced from
| Callahan could control AT least one hundred and
fifty votes. How many in other wards AID also In
the rhiru Ward were or could be controlled by The
Others does not appear.
This ev .dCnce shows, however, that not only the
patronage of the great Federal Government In the
| conduct of this navy.yard was employed and
prosttuted for the election of the cOntestec, but
| that the agreement, by means or which tue
votes and influence Of these negroes was secured,
amounts 10 biitery and corruption. ltwont DO
10 say that MIR. Rue was no party TO the arrange
ment, for the law is that if an agent brhes yOiers
with or without the knowledge and direction OF
the principal IL will void the election as % him.
tRogers's Law Of Elections, page 22ll No ex-
press previous authority Is necessary 10 constitute
an agent In the matter Of an election. Sucn
agency Is TO be inferred from the circumstance OF
the case-the conduct relations OF the parties
subsequent recognition Of the act, or the ab;euce
OF any dis.lyOwal OF the acts.
The giving aud the acceptance or the positions
upon the terms and cond tions stated constituted
bribery in law. The practices adopted n con-
trolling the votes of the employees IN this navy
yard cannot be too severely repreht nued, nor can
such action be c0uEtenanced or tolerated without
an abandonment Of all purpose TO preserve the
purity Of the ballot, or pcrpetuaie the institutions
OF republican government. In yam VIII You
seek To secure the one or preserve te other ny IN
lIcting the penalties Of the law upon The obscure
! agent who gives the bribe, or stu more humble
voter WHO takes IL to relieve the pressure Of power
", or perhaps the pangs OF hunger, while you
| conilnue 20 count the purchased vote, and
allow him In whose interest the law has
been violated 10 become the beneficiary
of the nefarous transaction, and continue 10 hold
a station to which he has not been elected by the
uubiassed Judgment Of his fellows but rather IN
debied for his place to those foul and nefarious
bargains such a. characterized tbis ease. To re-
| ceiye and count votes taken under such circum-
stances would not only afflNa stigma upon the fair
escutcheon Of the State, hut also be practical APP
/ proval OF a foul bargain. These Drtbed votes
should not be counted. The record furnishes no
can only be avoided by Applying the rule OF law 80
well known and OF such general aioptlon that u