The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-05-24
Mabone's Methods and the Result

and conspirator.
Mahone's Methods and the Result.
The Republicans of Virginia and the
Republicans of the Nation are to be con.
graduated on the result of Thursday 8
work at Petersburg. 1t dates new life
for the party 1t lifts from its shoulders
a burden that has pressed it to the earth.
and not only robbed it of all hope of sue
cess. but also of its good name.
AS far back as January last Gen. Ma
hone plainly diScerned the cloud upon the
horizon. The feeling of disgust at his
methods; of hostility to his plan OF organ.
ization, was so wide spread and deep.
seated that it was no longer possible to
disregard it. Instead of meeting the is
sue as man should instead of appealing
to the Republicans of the State to assem-
BILE in their several counties, and after
free. fair and open discussion, to determine
for themselves, what was best for the in.
terest of their party; what changes In
either the plan or personel of the organl'
z,tion, would conduce to harmony and in
sure an uniting of all the elements opposed
to Democracy. instead of RELOCATING to the
people all power to control their own at
| fairs. to elect their own representatives
and having chosen their leaders, bent
their every effort to the success OF tht
principles they protested; in short. in
stead of showing that he was worthy tt
stand at the head of the party; to con
tend, and if necessary to sacrifice, for it,
good. we find him plotting ST. cretly to as
sassinate every man who dared question
his infallibilty, or who refused to blindly
yield to his petty dictation. That" Secre
Circular - now so famous. disclosed th'
real character of VIM. Malone, and was &
| fit forerunner of the Petersburg program
In it he malgned and traduced the grand
est American now Iiving-Jas. &. Blaine
and closed with series of resolution
which he desired should he adopted a
every meeting possible. Those resolution
provided for the enforcement of the uni
rule: for the renouncing of political fel
lowship with every man who did not hum
bly bow to his will. and for an endorse
ment of him and his plan OF Organiza
ton.
And what is that plan of organization
1t makes a Republican blush TO think h
has so long tolerated it; Under ita poWe
is lodged with an Executive Committee o
three, which the chairman practically Sc
lects, he being one of them: therefore, al
power is lodged with the chairman. TIL
Republicans of county are not permitte'
to elect their own county chairman. The
can only recommend. In this way n
man Objectionable in any sense to tn
State Chairman, whatever his qualifics
tions may be, or however much his peopl
} may desire his services, i. allo we'd to hav'
control of party matters in the county II
which he lives. But this is not all. In tn
selection of delegates to a State COnven
ton, the officers of the meeting are gra
ciously permitted TO certify the credentials
but these credentials are absolutely vol
until c0untersigned by Mahone's Count
Chairman. The practical operation of thi
} feature of the plan was we'll illustrated
J the election of delegates in the recen
convention. For instance, take Senate
Riddleberger's county-Shenandoah Fo
three years Mr. Keller had been the count
} chairman. AS was his duty he called
} mass meeting of the Republicans OF hi
county to elect delegates to Petersburg
} giving three weeks published notice. Tire
days prior to the date fixed for the meet
, ing, Malone. without the knowledge Q
consent of the Republicans of the county
removed Keller and appointed in his plac
r J. Walker, who last fall bitterly Op
posed The Republican nominee in hi
county. DIR. Frank King; circulated bogu
Republican tickets to secure his ks dt
feat, and after the election was serenade
by band and publicly thanked for th
valuable services he had rendered th
Democratic party. Walker, armed wit
his commission from Malone, called
meeting at two days. notice, the twomeel
, ngs being held on the same day. In tn
Republican, or Keller meeting, were abou
400 Republicans, who proceeded to cleo
5 their delegates. In the Malone, or Wake
meeting, were less than dozen men, ha
: of whom were Democrats. This las
meeting assumed to elect delegates. Wake
J certified his own and the credentials of tn
, others. and Malone admitted this last c
the delegation from Shenandoah. This
but specimen of the workings OF tn
plan. Wherever his 'chairmen" cOul
not control the meetings. bogus deleg;
tions were gotten up and given seats
the Convention. Wherever there was
prominent opponent of the plan, the orde
went forth to keep him out of the Conver
tion at any cost. In this way 1l2 legal
electe ed delegates were denied admissio
to the floor. and liz fraudulent delegate
were seated.
1t is against such methods the self-r'
speeding Republicans of Virginia have Fl
belled They have done so deliberatel
and with the immovable intention of ney
er again submitting to such degradin
slavery.
: They have perfected an OrganiZatiO
founded on the right of the people to rul
To it they INVITE every man who believe
in Republican principles; all who fave
those well known tenets of the Nation;
party which demand protection for Amer
lean workmen and American enterprise
{ the education of the masses: the lpbuilt
ing of the Nation and the prosperity {
| hn In tho nnrn inn cont q.