The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-04-26
A Gard from Mr.. Craig.

We publish card from w. E. Craig.
appeared in the New York Tribune in ref
erence to communication sent to that
paper in the fall of 1878, about the Vir-
ginia election of that year. / was charged
by Gen. Malone in his personal and con-
fidential7 circular, aud afterwards sub
stantially re. iterated, that the Tribune COM
was written by Col. Fl. c.
Parsons. This Col p. emphatically de-
MED and cited Gen. Malone to the proof.
Mr.. Craig explains the case and that ex-
PLANTATION we leave the public TO pass upon.
In reference to the Impression first en-
tertained by Mr.. Craig that it was possible
witten the Tribune article we have &c say
to MI Craig, Gen. Malone, aud TO the
world, for that matter, that neither of the
editors of the VIRGINIAN implicated in
the suspicion, is in the habit of reaching
the public through anonymous communi-
cations. They have paper Of their own,
and when they deem it necessary or ex-
pedient to write upon public questions,
or political conditions, they do so through
their own columns. They have no con-
cealments to make nor have they any
criticism to offer that they are not willing
to subscribe their names to.
AS to the intimation that tie name of
COL Parsons has been considered in con-
nection with the Craftsmanship of the Re-
publican State Committee, it is the first
we eyer heard OF it. We doubt whether
either OF the signers to the address which
Mr.. Craig chooses to designate as that of
the ''kckers, - ever thought of Col. Par
sons in that connection. Certainly the
writer Of these lines, whose name is
among the signerS, never did. nor did he
ever hear il. suggested. 1t would not be
proper or respectful to the Convention
which meets in Petersburg on the 18th
of May to anticipate its action in this re-
spect, If it should be decided by ma
ioritv of delegates in that body that a
change in the Craftsmanship was desirable, it
would be time enough to determine that
matter after a free and full conference
and comparison. of views as to who would
be the most suitable person for that po-
sition. THERE'S no cut and dried arrange.
ment prepared or in process of prepare
ton. 1t would be indicate and often
siye to endeavor to forestall the judgment
of the Convention. There, are, however
number of gentlemen, some Of whom
are warm personal friends Of the present
chairman, who would discharge the duties
of that responsible Office in spirit OF
fairness and liberality, and with primary
reference to the good of the party. and moi
merely to subserve selfish ends. 1t willhe
time to cross that bridge when we come
to 1t.
As to the removal Of Tie capitation taz
restriction on the ballot; the repeal Of the
of the public schools, we acknowledge the
whipping post law. and the resuscitation
influence and labor of Gen. Malone in that
respect. He, of all others, should have
done something to wipe out the legisla
tion which imposed these wrongs, for he
was the unchallenged autocrat Of the
Democratic party wheL the legislation
was enacted that inflicted them. He alb
solutely controlled the Legislature, made
Governors and United States Senators al
will, and had more to do with shaping the
policy of the Democracy. than any doz en-
men in The party. Why should he moi
| haye atoned for these outrages? let wheL
| he did he demanded as pay the United
States Senatorship for himself and all tbe
| patronage of government both State anG
Federal. When this iniq1itous legisla
tion was passed, the VIRGINIAN was TIL
only paper in the State that opposed it
1t stood solitary aud alone in defending
the rights of the people and denounclne
the acts of the Democratic party wher
Gen. Malone was its supreme dictator
both in legislation and the running of it:
infamous election machinery.
We have deemed this statement neces-
sary in view of the references of Mr.
Craig we have cited. 1t is made in ne
controversial spirit, and is not designed tC
| be regarded as discussion of the card be
has deemed it proper to publish. AS &
whole we leave it with the public. fol
judgment to be passed upon it as an eluci
dation of the points it takes up and at
tempts to explain.