The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-05-22
nBoaSes."

AANS ->SN-0OA- RAS'o ~ ~To-
estopped Of the clamor about bossism af-
ter the exhibits of the recent State Demo-
cratic Convention, Never was the evil
dence of unquestioned bossism made
clearer than in the results of the proceed
ings Of that body. 1t has the appearance
that all the major acts OF the Convention
were matured and determined in Washing
ton days before the Convention met. The
programme as carried out had been pre-
yiously announced in the papers. Hon.
John T. Harris was to be called to the
Chair, temporarily. Barbour, Harris
Beirne and Mccarthy were to be delegates
to the National Democratic Con-
vention, and the Ohio platform on the tar
if question reaffirmed. notwithstanding
Barbour. Tucker, Garrison and Cabell had
all voted for the Morrison tariff bill. Were
we to guess as to the controlling minds In
t arrangements that were cOnsummated,
we wouldIsay that John S. Barbour and
John T. Harris assumed the role of Bosses,
devised the plan Of proceedings and engl-
neered it through, with but little fric-
ton OF obstruction. Although Judge Har-
ris was appointed neither delegate nor
alternate from his county, he appeared in
the Convention as one OF the leading ac-
tors was made temporary chairman,
chosen as delegate-at- Large to the Ma
tional Convention. and also elected Chair
man of the State Executive Committee.
1t will be remembered that last fall, Mr..
Barbour in accepting the craftsmanship of
the State Central Committee, demanded
exclusive power in the management of the
campaign. One of his first acts was to
wipe out the Executive Committee and
consign Mr.. A. NJ. Kelley and his COM
mittee to the shades of private life. He re-
moved the headquarters from Richmond to
Alexandria, dispensed with the organising
of the Dispatch and State created a new
organ in the Campaign Democrat. pub
lished at Lynchburg, and designated the
Alexandria Gazette rs the medium of his
orders. Not a murmur came up, that the
public ever heard, against this arbitrary
action. OF course. it would have been q
fragrant offence to MI. Kelley and his CON-
mittee had another Executive Committee
been created in that campaign. The snub
was severe enough as it was. and it was
because Mr.. Barbour saw that his boss
ism could not be supreme SO long as
Boss Kelley held position, that he deter
mined to extinguish the Executive Com
mittee. Having gotten rid of Kelley and
asserted his exclusive right and preroga.
tive to boss the. whole contemplating
removed headquarters from wicked Rich
mQnd to sleepy Alexandria having pro-
tested the organising of the Dispatch and
State and established others to his liking
he went to work. After al. this, it looks
strange that another Executive Commit
tee should be created. But that can be
accounted for. Harris. who is stalwart
worker. could not be secured, unless he
should be invested with the rights, priv
ileges and immunities of boss. So he
was made Chairman of the new Executive
Committee, and in order to make the in
augurati0n the more impressive, he was
designated by Mr.. Barbour temporary
chairman of the State Convention, and
elected delegate-at-large to the National
Convention. Barbour and Harris arranged
al this, if we are not much mistaken in
the signs, before the Convention assem-
bled, and the programme was faithfully
carried out by the snbseryient members of
that body. Beirne, a free-trader, and Nc
earthly, a moderate proteotionist, were Sc
lected as delegates Large, to crafty the
conflicting factions Oh the tariff issue, and
a platform adopted which is neither fish,
flesh, fowl nor good red herring, as it relates
to any question properly connected with a
national contest.
These evidences of bossism explain the
indignant declaration of Judge Harris in
the Convention that he would rather live
twenty-five years under the present tariff
laws than two hours under Malone. He
well knew, however, when this inspiration
seized him, that he could not have the SUI
preme bosship in party of which Malone
was member. and that it was only in
the Democratic party where such unques-
TONED obedience to aprearranged plan could
be found.
Further developments in the plans which
have been thus far successfully carried
out, may be looked for should the BOur-
bons carry the State this fall. The coali-
tion between the discordant elements of
that party-with but one incentlve-the
spoils of Office, regardless of either principle
or policy, affecting government admins
t-ation, will be carried into the State cam
paign of 1885, and if there successful, it
will be with Harris as the Governor elect
and Barbour the prospective successor of
Malone in the United States Senate. Bar
bour has chosen Harris as his chief lieu
tenant and co-boss, with reference to 1885,
understanding, at least, that he is to share
in the hOnors which would follow success
this year and next.
There is nothing strained about this pic
ouCs UidO udO oCCuiACu Id a VOL itys-
What is to occur will be in accord with
the determination we have given. provided
the party these gentlemen ha tn 9 honor
of bossing succeeds. Those who may be
incredulous should paste this article in
their hats, and refer to it whenever they
are tempted to clamor about political
bosses. Jno. s. Barbour and Jno. T. Harris
are the Bosses of the Bourbon party
Bosses who will allow no question of their
authority, and who will demand implicit
and accomplishing obed fence.
Unjust not be lost sight OF that the Sc
lection of Judge Harris for the Chairman
ship of the Executive Committee means a
vigorous and aggressive campaign this fall.
His training, energy. sagacity and ability,
combined with the experience and adroit-
ness OF John s. Barbour, will challenge the
best efforts and organization of the Re-
publican party. The contest will be ac-
tive and fierce from the start, and no APP
peal will be neglected and no endeavor un-
awaited of to win success in November
next, on either side.
We publish the resolutions adopted by
the recent Bourbon State Convention
They are mass of false pretense. decep-