Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-04-18
"Gen. Mahone's Pronurciamento. .

Under the above heading, the last Valley
Vugisaian has an editorial article column
and quarter in length, IN adverse criticism
of Mahone's reply 10 the address of John
Wise favoring a new plan of organization
for the Republican party Of this State. A
few extracts will show its spirit and tenor.
In referring to that part of Mahone's letter
in which he taunts Wise for publishing his
address in the Richmond Dispatch, the
Valley Virginiam says -
"The spirit of the whole of this part of
Gen. Mahone's paper is contemplate, and
will have precisely the reverse effect. to
what was designed, with all intelligent Re-
publicans. Persons who have anything to
say that is worthy Of being read, and in
tended for the public good, do not sickle
about the medium through which it reaches
the public. They would prefer that it be
published in the papers of both political
persuasions, so that an impartial Judgment
might be passed upon it.
But this is mere affectation on the part of
Gen. Malone. 1t is hollow and insncere,
as the whole article is. He does not as
sumo position that is not deceptive, I'M
tenable and indefensible."
In reference to Mahone's defense of the
''unit rule the Virginian says -
''His argument on the unit rule is falla-
| cious from beginning to end. He ignores
the primary object Of district repre- senta-
ton and perverts the whole theory and pur-
poses of parties in the incipient provisions
for national nomination and a national
| CONTEST
AS 10 Mahone's regard for the will of the
people it says
"The Difference Gen. Malone affects for
| the popular will is the merest pretense. If
| it were not he would not be planning and
| scheming through the despotic organic alton
he controls, to suppress popular sentiment
To encompass his aim he boldly essays to
| ignore the law of the party, applicable to
the election of district delegates"
"The State plan of organization devised
by himself, as we have been informed,
makes him autocrat, and the despotic
power il confers, he Yields with relentless
tyranny. And all his affected Difference
for the majority and respect for the popular
will is the shallowest pretense. His studied
phrases and rounded sentences will deceive
no one who knows him, and has knowledge
of his course as Chairman of the State
Committee. He does not respect MAORI
ties whether of the people en- n,asse, or of
Conventions. His arbitrary will is his only
law, and the Republicans of the State have
been weak enough to allow it to be So"
In reference to the increase of the Re-
publican vote, the Virginian says -
"Gen. Malone carefully omits to men
| ton, in stating the increased vote of the Re-
publicans in the State, the removal of the
capitation-tax restriction on the ballot in
1882-an imposition for which he was as
much, if not more responsible than any
Their man in the State The Dem
ocrats obeyed his orders then as he would
have the Republicans do now. and as they
have been doing, and when the Democrats
refused to make him Governor, as he de-
manded, he kicked out of the party and
set up for himself. Not until then did he
manifest any concern for the removal OF
this restriction on the poor mans vote"
X
Throughout his entire reply he states
no proposition fairly, nor argues it frankly
and honestly. 1t is a document constructed
to reach direction by indirectlon, and to
conceal the selfish motives which have con-
trolled in all the Chairmans movements
and plans. 1t will mislead and
deceive no one who does not want to be de-
eeived, and will have just the contrary eff