Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-18

thankful 10 the OsPofc" anu the press
generally OF the State for scotching the
Malone snake, which had entered the
Democratic Eden and was solely tempt
ing our Eve.
Our congressman, who seemed will
ing TO assume and exercise the regal
powers conferred on Malone by Ar
thur, having heard the distant storm Of
indignation rising among the people,
have called halt and come to the front
with an apology for the extraordinary
course alleged to have been pursued by
them in their several conferences in
Washington city. II is believed their
explanation will not be entirely salts
factory to the people.
They say: " As some misapprehen-
sion seems to exist in regard to the OBJ
ject OF the meeting Of the Democratic
members Of Congress from Virginia re.
Gently held in Washington" &c. What
misrepresentation existed? Did not the
papers of Washington announce the
arrival Of the delegation in that city for
the express purpose Of selecting and
presenting list Of names. of suitable
persons TO the President and Depart
ments for appointment to the several
Federal Offices local to Virginia, in order
that competition and the clashing OF in
terests among the several applicants
from Virginia might be avoided? And
was it not industriously circulated
that no man in Virginia could
receive an appointment unless he
was endorsed by the congressman?
And as soon as an applicant has received
the endorsement Of the delegation, was
it not at once heralded over the State
that so and so was appointed to such
and such place? Is it not fact that
Allen, Graham, Scott, &C., have been
officially notified by their respective
congressman that they have been Sc
lected and endorsed for district attor-
neys, marshal, &C., even in advance OF
their presentation to the President for
appointment?
Was not the statement in the papers
that Mr.. Kelley had run the gauntlet
and received the appointment as Minis
ter to Italy without congressional en-
dorsation hurriedly contradicted by
some member of Congress, and the
statement made that Mr.. Kelley was
endorsed by the whole delegations
Where, then, was there room for ''mis-
apprehension as to the object Of the
meeting of the delegation in Washing
tom?
But our congressman assert in their
explanation that they claim only the
right to recommend applicants for APP
pointment to Offices which attaches to
every citizen in the State, neither more
nor less" Why then meet in Wash
ington by regular call, organize by
electing a chairman, secretary, &C.?
Is that the way other citizens Of the
State exercise their right Of recon-
mendation? Could they not have met
somewhere in the State under home in
fluences, and where the constituents
could have reached them and had their
claims passed upon by this board of
selection?
Now, is it not fact that our con-
gressmen met in Washington and con-
ceded to each other the absolute control
Of all officers local to their respective
districts, and agreed that they would
recommend no man for office in any
district unless and until he was en-
dorsed by the member-elec in that dis
trict?
Is it not fact that our congressman
agreed to draw straws, throw up chips,
or rattle for the offices covering more
than one district, and that the member
winning the prize should have the abb
solute right to designate the man for
the Office, and each of the other seven
were bound to endorse the person
designated by the winning member?
Our delegation say further, and this
is the apology for meeting in Washing
ton, that sit was considered best to
avoid, if possible, any antagonism be-
tween individual members of the dele
CATION in recommendation for appoint
ments to Office exclusively within the
State"
If these gentlemen intended only to
exercise the right Of recommendation
common to " every citizen of the State"
how could there be any antagonism be-
tween the " individual members Of the
delegation" Is there not equal dan
ger Of antagonism when "every other
citizen recommends for Office 2"
Mr.. Barbour joins his seven col
leagues in the public explanation pub
lished in the Dispatch Of the 10Th
instant. Mr.. Barbour is chairman Of
the State Central and Executive Com
mittees, and, with them, is responsible
to the party for the conduct of its
affairs. AS the question of the distri-
button of the "spoils" is one of i'm
portance, and likely to injure the party
if not judiciOusly managed, would it
not be wise in Mr.. Barbour to
call the State Committee together
in Washington, as that seems to
be the fashion now, and call on
Mr.. Cleveland with view of
getting him TO fix upon some fair and
just plan Of appointment? If it is as
certained that Mr.. Cleveland will not
consider any but the applications en-
dorsed by the delegation the people
ought to know it. Applications direct
to the President ought to be stopped if
they are not to be considered. General
Malone regards his course as fully vim
dicated by the action of our congress-
men at their recent meetings in Wash
ington. CITIZEN.
Citizen " is not as charitable as he
might be to our congressman, and in
some matters overstates his case; but
he thinks he speaks for the people, and
so we give him hearing.
IL