New-York tribune., 1885-07-14
VIRGINIA POLITICS.
TALK WITH SENATOR RIDDLEBERoER.
THE POLITICAL GCILL0TISE KEPT BUSY NJ rHI
ADMISIsTRAn0N-REPUBLlc HARMONIOUS
AND HOPEFUL.
Jar TELEGRAPH TO rHs rrrsusm1

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES HARMONIOUS
AND HOPEFUL.
lar TELEGRAPH TO the rRrsusn1
WASHINGTON, July 13.-Several delegations
on their way to the Virginia Republican State Convex
tion, which 10 to be held in Richmond Wednesday.
were in Washington to-day. Among them Senator
Riddleberger In response to Inquiries by TRIBuxs
correspondent respecting the political situation and
look In Virginia generally. the senator said
1.-THE political guotine has been in constant oper.
alton for the last two months and great many post
masters and subordinate officials Of tho Internal Reve-
nue. service have been removed Congressman OFer.
RAIL- whose district includes the county In which live
has been earnest and successful In making places
for active Democratic partsans. Moro than half the
postmasters in my county on the first of March
Democrats. most OF whom had been In Office many years
They had been known Union during the war.
and after 1t closed they appointed as post
masters because they could take the necessary
oath. They had not been removed for they werc
acceptable to tho people, In that county and far
my knowledge extends outside OF part Of vir
gnia not single postmaster removed during the
last Administration, although, before said, abous
half Of them Democrats. The only appointments
made were to I'LL vacancies caused BY DEATH changes Of
residence by ncumbents, by voluntary resgnatons OF
by expiration Of commissions All that has
been changed by this great Reform Administration.
The clean sweep Of officials who Republicans Is in
rapid progress and the work will soon be- done There
is conccalment Of its object, which s to carry tho
state against Mahone.' That boldly avowed. ana
trustworthfy Informed, BY Virginia Bourbons when
they visit the White iIousc Post Office Department and
Treasury Department IN Washington wher
they are at home. The President and
his Cabinet officers must know this. and
that It consideration which hos great weight with
the Administration shown by the rapdity with which
official changes are being madc IN Virginia solely for
party reasons"
Is the efficiency Of the public service likely to suffer
In consequence"
"Undoubtedly. In q number Of cases. ~ I
am informed, the Democrats whom the
sun Of Administration favor would have
shone upon were found to be men whose neigh
bors would to become their bondsmcn for
any amount, however small In number OF instances
the wives Of such have been appointed because
their husbands could not qualify. One Of the most eff
cient in the railway mail service in Colonel OFer'
rails DISCREET. who upon investigation stood % In
possible l0O has been dismissed and inexperienced
wholly ignorant Of his duties has been appointed
solely because of his ability and influence as Bourbon
crat who had applied for in my county
dsgusted and surprised to lind that Democrat bad
pointed i G.'' The disappointed applicant received
a letter from Congressman OFerral sayins
isa " sS sSa SaniI to
quest that be Would furnish me h 9S"s
that the appontment was made upon the recommends.
ton Of Mr. and rsterGea r hs essa svss 20 'ss
the work in progress in Virginia under Democratic
civil Service reform Administration. SO far as that
STATE at least concerned the Civil Service used by
the Democratic the engine Of more vindctive and
sweepipg political persecution than was ever before
wagsd by any National Administration IN this country:
AT the session of the Senate there Will DC uii ad
] complete exposure and comparison OF the removals
and appointments Virginia account OF poltics py
| this Administratlo and the which Preceded II"
Do You think that the wholesale removals OF Repuo-
licans without will help the Bourbons Ia tho com'
| ing campaign I"
AT nrst did fear that resuli, but am now convinced
that they likely to sSEs- te ptone ey .the
proscrptive policy. 1t has created much Jealousy ana
| dissatisfaction In their own ranks, ahd 80 Iar
as 1t has served to unite the Republicans more
| closely and make them more determined than ever
| "Do you expect harmonious conyentionP
| "Certainy, do. or course the BOurbons, VINO aro
| badly scared aud by means harnonous. nave uied
to exaggerate light differences In our ranks re.
spectng OF detail and 10 foen STRIFE Due
| they have not succeeded. think We shall go into
the with much enthusiasm and unaninity as
| we did four years ago"
| The leading candidates for the nomination Tor
| Governor are ex-Congressman John ;. Wise and
Attorney General Blair both OF whom are confident OK
securing the nomination. There whispers however,
| that dark horse" may be the winner Inc name ol
| ex. Con grcssman Bowen Is also mentioned. He Is
| wealthy farmer In Southwestern virginia and belongs
| to well known and Influential family. HIS grand
father Bowen, OF the heroes W klnss
| Mountain.