New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-31
BOURBONS AND THE SPOILS.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

VIRGINIA DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
A sCANDALoUs RESOLUTION ON FEDERAL PATRON.
AGE-PACING ABOUT on THE DEBT QUESTION.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBuNE.
RICHMOND, Va, July 30.-The Bourbon Con-
vention has finished its work. After vast expen 1iture
of rhetoric the ticket headed by nephew Of the
late Robert T.. Lee was completed by the nomination
Of the notorious Parson Massey for Lieutenant Gov
ernor and r. A. Ayers for Attorney General. more
groteslue ticket could not have been made, and
prominent Republican leaders say that few more easy to
defeat could have been placed before the people. or
course Fitzhugh Lee was nominated mainly because be
is nephew his uncle and with the hope that the
of Lee will bring many the support OF the
ticket. He Is q man OF moderate abilities, pleasant
address and high personal but he would
have been thought OF candidate except for his name
and lineage Holding the position he did after the
1t most natural that In the quarrel over the State
debt he should side with the who protested deter
minaton to pay principal and interest in full II is
alt ogether probable that Lee sincere in such
professions than the real leaders OF the called
Funder party and that he inspired by honest and
patriotic motives in voting and acting with the Darty
which pretended to be willing to pay in full 1t is less
than two years since General Leo earnest adv0
of such payment Now he is the chosen candidate
OF his parry which has formally approved the Riddle
berger settlement and within the last year has boldly
taken steps looking to absolute reputation.
The nominee for Lieutenant Governor formerly
minister OF the Gospel Some years ago he abandoned
the pulpit In order preach crusade in favor OF out
right reputation OF the state debt Since that time he
has persistent office seeker. He for short
time OF the Readjuster party he deserted
four five years to return to the Bourbon ranks
Al politician he has been consistent In only
spcct He bitter foe to public honesty, earnest
friend of the absolute reputation OF the entire State
debt la his speech before the convention to-day he
In ia nm nd
in Informal discussions he openly avows them. His
non nation bitter and nauseous dose for O7er
whelming majority OF the convention AMI IL was not
swallowed without many mnrIuurs and wry faces and
some threats OF open rebellion. His nomination will
weaken the Republican ticket by single vote
will 1t strengthen the ticket which bears his
The nominee for Attorney General Is young
county lawyer OF moderate abilities and reputation
combined southwestern county in which he resides
The contest which resulted his favor spirited
and close than that either Of tue other places on
the ticket and It left considerable III feeling among the
friends of General James A. Walker who. when the roll
OF counties he'd been called aud before any changes
had been made needed only nine votes
the nomination. Mr.. Ayers lives In Scott County, the
home OF Judge Wood. the Republican candidate for
Lieutenant Governor. and against whom and Attorney
General Blair. also South western man. he is pitted
The struggle in the Southwest therefore, will be
unequal one the chances largely in favor of the
Republicans.
Mr. Barbour the only Bourbon leader in Virginia
who aspires to play the role OF Boss Congressman
Daniel hia rival in the Senate race has already shown
some capacity in that respect and has brought himself
into lc with the BOurDOns OF the INth Congressional
District ny Undertaking to parcel out the Federal patron
there without regar TO tue desires OF tue local lead
ers The IVth and Iii Congressional Districts
heavily Republican. and the Democrats therein have
found to their grief and INDIGNATION at Daniel aud one
trying TO FL the offices IN these two districts As
the delegates from the dis riots arrived here
"A oinf Indication meeting and adopted
olution declaring that the unsuccessful Democratic
daos for ongres In those districts respectively shonld
control the dist bution OF the spos Their energy and
Indignation caused the Insertion OF plank In the plat
form which reads follows: In the distribution OF
public patronage within the state. favor equality
among all sections. whereby those sections without
Democratic representation may have "A ss and equal
share such patronage. and recommend to the mem
hers Of the General Assembly and all Of
Democratic party to- duly consider this subject aud
to provide some mode by which the desired result may
This resolution Is in Perfect harmony With the one
when declares in favor of sHch Civil Service reform
will make character fitness the tests OF official pref
and exclude the Loaf some systems OF the Repub
lican party; ani AZ the same time asserts that the
the powers the Executive shall not be shackd by the
usurpaton OF o commission " or unduly hanpered by
having obnoxons oneiasthat Is 10 say Reuublicans-
a. aIre dy Indicated in rmE TRIBUNE. the platform 10
many respects echo Of the adopted by the Re
punicansa fortnight ago. which several Of the Bourbon
leaders in the convention denounced without quanca
ton tissue OF lies and ridiculous exaggcrstions
The platform profse IN promises In behalf of educa
ton including the Blair blll and free books for free
I
iscs 10 repeal, amend. the oppressive oyster laws
enacted by last Democratic Legislature; favOrs the
~ peal OF the Internal Revenue laws; opposes convict
labor. which II IN practice declares In favor
hour of labor, the establishment of
of labor statistics, and makes all sorts of fine
roniscs hewoikingnen In regard IN the State debt.
IL l. even pronounced against the creditors than
is the Republican platform. II approves the Admin
sraton President Gle, Gland. but mngles quslinca-
ton with the praise and paity demands that the work
OF turning the rascals ont shall DO ann lifted ard
extended"
After Hedging the party to indemnify State officers
may prosecuted for refusing 10 accept coupons
In payment under the decision Of the courts the
respecting the State debt concludes blows:
The question OF the State debt has ceased to be or
dollars and cents II nas become OF state
sovereignty The question is whether the state OF Viz
GINA shall be ariagned before the Federal courts.
trolled by Republican judges adju1icating upon the
sovereign rightof the state In the interest Of the bond
holders defiance Of of the painest provisions OF
the Fedora, Constitution. We appeal this question
10 all men. irrespective OF party, and invite them To
unite with in defending tne Inn erilled rights Of the
Commonwealth"
The resolution relating to taxation. with that in regard
To the debt, ought to make the platform wholly
acceptable ParsOn Massey and every other repud
ator oThc document declares that the Democrats
"spurn the charges brought against them Ia the Re
publican PLATFORM and that they proudly proclaim
aeg ance the Constitution and Union Of the states.
Perhaps THIS proclamation Is all the b"teE for coming
more than twenty years after Lees surrender.
Before the convention adjourned IL unanimously
adopted q resolution OF sympathy with the family Of
General Grant