Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-10
FRIDAY MORNING. JULY 10. 1885.
NOT A FEDERAL BUT STATE
ELECTION.

A speedy change IN the Federal
officers in Virginia has never been advo-
Gated by this paper. On the contrary,
simply viewing it from party stand point
we have expressed the opinion that if
President Cleveland would best serve the
Democracy of Virginia. he would not make
a single local appointment until 1886. 1t
was not because the Democracy of this
State was not faithful, active and deserv
ing of any reward in the power of an adj
ministration to give, but for other rea-
sons the soundness of which must by this
time have struck those who have been I'M
fortunate enough to live in localities
where the competition between Demo-
Gratis has been warm. Further, we be-
lieved that the President ought to be
given ample time to commence the huge
task which is before him of adjusting the
machinery of the government to the re-
forms to which he is pledged.
But we do not share some of the fears
we see expressed, that the disappointments
experienced by worthy applicants for
Federal position in Virginia will weaken
the Democratic party at the November
election. PROFESSIONALLY it will in some
cases impair that heartiness of co-opera'
ton which adds so much to the smooth
working of campaign in its early days,
for it takes some time to readjust the Of
fshness which follows disappointment,
but as the campaign progresses everybody
will warm up to the cause. The Demo-
Gratis of Virginia have been voting and
working for nearly twenty years to main
tain their supremacy in their State. and
with little thought of the National Ad-
ministration. So much has this been the
case that the election of Cleveland came
something after the fashion of big lottery
ticket to most of them. VIRGINIA was
what the Democracy of Virginia have been
struggling to preserve, and the Federal
? government was but secondary and fal
off consideration.
Without DOUBT IN Virginia this fall
election is one of the most important evel
held. On the debt settlement all parties
are agreed; on the schools there is no differ
ence in their Intentions, but On another
point there is no sim ilaritv. That point il
the form of government the people shall
have. At the Republican convention mex
week there will assemble an organization
whose method Of government is in Nov
ember to elect Governor, legislature
and State officers who shall be at the com
mand of one man-William Malone. L
they elect that legislature, it is to cleo
Malone, Senator; it is to elect the A udi
tor and other officers of the State whom
he may select, and it is to place upon thu
circuit courts of Virginia such judges al
are not distasteful to him. This, strange
as it may appear under a republican form
of government. is what that Republican
organization will attempt. That is to say
no man will be put on its State ticket tt
wnom Malone is opposed; no State Office
will be chosen by the legislature who's
name he would scratch off the list, and III
name Will be put in nomination in caucus
for election to tie circuit bench be
fore having undergone his inspection
These are facts established By precedent
1t is very plain and clear issue before
the people of Virginia next fall-whethe
Malone shall govern or the People shal
govern. 1t is campaign on the part o
the Democrats for home rule by the Peo-
pie of our own state. If the Republica
party should win it, our Governor, Legis
Iature and judiciary will sit in the Sea at
at Washington wearing the clothes An
bearing the name of Malone. 1t is sue
prospect as this that will prevent compe
tition for Federal office having much effec
on the Democratic party in State matters
That these livalrles will, as we have be
fore said, very much change the Congress
ional map of Virginia and many othe
States in the Union. there IS little doubt
We sympathize with our Virginia congress
men in being in the hot water into whic
their new power of appointment, whic
had lain dormant for twenty years, ha
thrown them. But it is on them at las
that the wrath Of the disappointed is to
visited. if it can be kept warm for the Ion
space Of a Seaft51o % the Democ laIic /
party. The Democratic party of the State |
has faithfully fulfilled its obligations to |
the people thereof. It has kept pace with !
the sentiment of the people on all public |
questions and when victorious has turned