The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-07-08
Capt. James Bumgardner.

From the returns received from the
several counties in this district where
conventions have been held to appoint
delegates to the Lexington Convention,
it is claimed by his friends that Capt.
James Bumgardner, of this place, is al
most sure to receive the Democratic NOM
ination for Congress III this district, as a
candidate to succeed Hon. j. r. Tucker.
If rewards are to follow service, we know
of no one who is more entitled to this
honor than Capt. Bumgardner. He has
been chairman of the County Democratic
Committee for the past fifteen years, ready
in season and out of season for any duty
that he was called upon to perform for
his party, and seeking no return in favors
which it was in the power of his party
friends to confer. While he is party
man of the most pronounced type. in the
modern sense of that term, he is gentle
man of unblemished private character, a
good lawyer and popular citizen. We know
of no one identified with the Democratic
party. whom, on personal grounds, we
would rather see chosen to represent this
district than him. But, in this contest,
a nomination cannot be regarded as an
election, and while We wish Capt. Bum
gardner well in all of his personal rela-
tions, we do not think it would be to the
interest of the district or country that the
party herepresents and the ideas he en-
torfo;no cLooId pradopoipoto oithor of tho
ballot-box or in the legislation of Con-
gress. We expect to oppose him and sup
port the Republican nominee as matter
of duty, while abating none of our high
respect for him personally, or saying any,
thing that will disturb friendly relations.
In the U. s. Senate last week the oleo-
margarine bill was reported back from the
Committee Il Agriculture, with recon-
mendation that it should be passed. in
which recommendation the five Repnbli-
can members of the committee concurred,
and from which recommendation the four
Democratic members Of the committee
diSSented.
In the House of Representatives, where
the bill originated. and which body passed
it by large majority, the bill was regular
ly reported from the Committee on Agri-
culture, was championed by the Demo-
cratic chairman of that committee, who
pressed it to final vote and triumphant
success, thereby gaining many laurels as a
debater and parliamentary leader.
Mr.. O'Ferrall was the only Democratic
congressman from Virginia who supported
the bill-Dispatch
So far, at least, as the Virginia Demo
cratic party is concerned, tits committed,
| through it's representatives in Congress,
against the bill to protect the production
of genuine butter Mr.. Tucker spoke
against the bill. and all the other Demo
Gratis from this State voted as he spoke,
except Col. O'Ferrall. A majority of the
Republicans in the House voted for the
measure and a majority of the Democrats
voting were against it, Its passage in the
House was due to Republican support and
it's favorable report in the Senate is due to
Republican Senators. It may be said. in
fairness, to be patronized by the Republi-
| cans and condemned by the Democrats.
And yet the Dispatch would create the
impression, by illogical inference, that
the Democratic party should have the
credit of the enactment of the bill should
it become law, at the same time it does
not commit itself for or against it. 1t is
too slippery a question to ride the fence on
and our contemporary nd its party will
have to face the music when time is called
| for the performance to commence.