Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-19
pcllTIcS AT THE VIII f.
A GAHoNEire INTERVIEWED.

Your correspondent met he'V b.
tleman who during the late war was
brave and gallant officer in Malone
command, and who served with disthc'
ton. lie was for many years there
after a prominent leader Of the De
mocracy In Tidews,er Virginia ana AZ
ore time nm influential member OF the
Democratic State Executive committee.
lie severed his connection with mat
party shortly after the meeting OF inc
Mozart Convention that was held IN
Richmond. and became one Of the leaders
of Mahone's party. He was for long
period warm personal, intimate, po-
li,ical, and stauach friend OF General
Mshone's. In reply TO the question if
be thought the nomination of Wise was
the strongest that could have been made,
his answer was "No" -; and he said
that il the Republican party in the Con-
vention held in July had nominated eX-
Congressman Bowen il would have been
much better, as, in his opinion, Bowen
was 6 1000 votes stronger than Wise. lie
assigned as reason that Bowen was
more popular and much beloved and
respected in the Southwest, which both
parties concede will be the battle
ground Of the fall campaign.
"Well, do you believe that the Re-
publican State ticket will DO elected 7"
at ought TO be; but much depends
upon the course pursued by General
Malone. If he will permit the people
in the different senatorial and legislative
districts 10 select and nominate candi-
dates Of their own choice, without inter
fering with them. and do not see why
he should not, the ticket can be elected.
But that lie has never permitted them
to DO"
"You remember the campaign of
1879, when the State debt was first
made an issue in Virginia politics: |
We'll. in that year one Of the principal
features Of the campaign in connection
with the State debt was that the Demo
Gratis were controlled by rings and
courthouse cliques, and were never
consulted as to their choice or as 10 the
government Of the party. Yet have
seen large meetings called together by
authority Of Malone controlled by a
few Of his personal friends and the
voice Of the masses superseded; and
he won in that year. In several sec
items / have seen men nominated that !
were so obnoxious to the people that
they would not vote for them. That
was one Of the main causes TO which !
attribute the defeat Of the Republican
party in loe3.'
lis il true that several Of the most
influential delegates TO the late Repub-
lican State Convention wished General
Malone nominated as their candidate
for Governor"
." am aware that the Democratic
party have great fears of Malone. and
] have heard that they were afraid that
be would be the nominee Of his party.
/ know this, however: that his greatest
ambition has been to he the Governor
Of Virginia and | am Of the opinion
that he knew that if he hal been
nominated by that Convention he
could not have been elected, and y,
would have been defeated by scve- !
raj thousand majority. He has
some bitter enemies in his own I
party that fear and hate him, and would
have availed themselves of the oppor-
tunity to knife him if he had been the
nominee, for you know the Republican =;
party is not now in power. and Gen
eIal Malone has lost his grip upon
Federal patronage. He never cared TO
remain in the United States Senate. and
on one occasion told rue that the mis-
take OF his life was in his not having
resigned his seat in the Senate during
the session Of the General Assembly
that elected Riddleberger and he
would have done 80 but for certain po- u
litical influences that were brought TO c
bear upon him." q
"Well, what do you think Of this 5
campaign ?"
"Oh, it is too early. You can say 5
in that ses-l,'n Of Virginia that am l
from that there is great deal Of luke /
warmness on the part Of both parties. 7
The Democrats have in several in !
stances been disappointed in the Federal
that have been made. I
and the Republicans are rather at sea i
on account of factional differences as Il
TO how they should make their nom- v
nations. Well, you must excuse me, h
j do not care to be interviewed, nor @
do wish my name used in connection S
with politics, for | am done with poll O
tics, and in the future will turn my \
attention to my business. You know II
j represent large business interest" II
How many close legislative dis
tricts are there in the State?"
Several; you Democrats say that u
Malone is keeping close eye upon ,
them. The mAjoriticS are small, and Il
it is claimed by the Republicans that II
the change Of few votes will give the i(
Republicans control Of the General As I
senbly upon joint ballot, which will a
secure to General Malone his reelection a
to the United States Senate" Il
Is not that all he cares for?" A
" No, sir !; he is for the whole ticket p
and will use his best efforts to eles. it," Il
"How about money y
We'll, he has a number Of very in Il
finential moneyed friends North" 50
If Malone is beat this fall, what 4
will he do?"
well, his wife is fond of travelling. fC
and in the past two years spent most of ii
her time in Europe, and the General al
would, IN my opinion, il defeated. make d.
tour Of Europe, as he has often ex- II
pressed desire TO do so, and his health {
is not any too good" t,
u" VIII Governor Cameron and Senator /
Riddlebeiger take the stump" .
No one can tell what Riddleberper {
VIII do. presume the Governor will. q
lie will not make a canvass of the Fl
State" =,
hR. BARBOUR. Ct
The Hon. John ). Barbour arrived l.
here Saturday night, accompanied by a
his wife, who ia indiSpOsed. He will W
remain a few days only, when he will al
return to Alexandria. In response 10 N
inquiries as TO the State canvass he said Ie
that the outlook was never brighter: a