Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-05
FIGHTING MALONE.
THE CONCLUSIONS REACHED AT THE
CONFERENCE Ia PETERSBURG.
A Candid Statement TO be Submitted TO
President Harrison ahone's Record
70 be Exposed.
lcOrrespOndenco Of the RIchmond Dlspatch.l

PETERSBURG, VA, January 4, 1883.
The conference OF anti. Malone Republl-
! cans which was held at the Hotel Gary last
night did not adjourn until after midnight
Il was very quietly conducted, srd the
arrangements had been 30 we'll planned that
! only few persons who bad been let into the
secret knew thst such n consultation was 10
progress. Those who were present consti-
tuted a subcommittee Of the regular State
/ Committee and, as announced in the Dis
patch this morning exclusively, were Chair
man Houston, ex-Congressmsn Libbey,
! General V. ID. GroDer, Stale-SenatOr Norton,
Ex-Governor Cameron, aud Colonel James
D. Brady.
From one OF the participants II Is gathered
day that the most important subject OF
consultation was the position which Malone
now occupies as IN aspirant for Cabinet
honors. and the representations which he -
making 10 northern Republicans in regard
10 the iactional troubles in Virginia. These
questions we're discussed fully by the mem
| hers OF the conference, and the conclusion
which they reached was this: That they
would endorse no one for Cabinet posi-
ton, and secondly that they would oppose
| General MahOne's aspirations at every turn.
| II was determined by the conference, Alter
| full discussion, that they would not, as had
been recommended ct a previous meeting,
| send a delegation 10 Indianapolis TO wait
upon General Harrison, but that steps would
be taken al once to inform him OF the condi'
ton OF affairs in Virginia. and TO advise him
as we'll a. 10 the exact status OF General Ma
homes alleged leadership.
II was then Determined that a plain and
candid statement should be transmitted TO
the President-elect without delay, and ex-
| Governor Cameron was duly delegated TO
prepare a statement. which will be sent 10
! Mr.. Harrison by prominent and reliable
| Republican OF the North, who, II is believed,
will be able 10 insure careful consideration
OF the same. The leading point which Will
| be made In this paper, 50 il Is understood,
will be this: General Malone is now ems
! gagged in securing the signatures OF Repub-
/ llcsn members Of the Legislature to dOcu-
ment setting forth that he Is the leader OF
the Virginia Republicans because he has the
united support OF the Republican members
OF the Legislature. To this it will be replied
that their support is OF little value aud OF no
significance In determining the question Of
leadership, since. It is alleged. the Republic
can members OF the Legislature are, IN
the main, MahOne's own creations, the tools
named and appointed by asystem Of despOuc
bOss-rule. In proof that these legislators 40
not reflect the sentiments OF the people, evil
dencc will he adduced 10 show that in the
Fourth district In the late congressional
election LangstOn's vote was several times
greater than ArnOld's In the very counties
IN which the Malone members Of the Gene.
raj Assembly were supposed to exercise the
greatest influence. l. will then be shown
that the recognition Of Malone as the leader
bot Virginia Republicans will simply p il the
party and make il imposs bic 20 reconcile
the differences which now exist. In addition
| TO this paper another member OF the conte-
renee was requested and authorized to pre-
pare for publication In the North state
ment showing the havoc which Malone has
wrought in tie Republican ranks SINCE lie
possessed himself OF the leadership.
In regard 10 state affairs the conference
did not for the present take any decided
step, but the dninus OF the members was
one Of distinct and implacable hostility to
the machine. IL is the present determine
| ton Of that wing Of the party which is
represented by Houston, Groaer, Brady,
| Libby, and Cameron 10 hold aloOi as n sepa-
rate organization and 10 have nothing TO do
with MahOne's candidate for Governor.
Rather than support a machine nomioee
they do not hesitate TO say that they
would either vote for the Democratic
nominee OF tl>t uNb NDlC ~ ahs AHff
represent that fully 90 per cent. Of the
Republicans who voted for LlnEston will
never again acknowledge Mahone's leader
ship or submit TO MS dictaton, but on the
contrary will support q Democrat for Go
vernon and the Democratic candidates for
the Legislature as the preferable alternative.
The conference adjourned subject TO the
call OF the chairman, and 10 Is highly prOOa-
BILE that the members Will meet again in The
early spring, In the event OF certain develop
ments. Colonel Cameron Is expected %
have bis statement ready for transmission 10
General Harrison by the first OF next week.
II ia evident thst the opponents OF General
Malone IN the Republican party m this state
are in earnest in their work They do not
lack the lrmness and the determination 10
make their rights aud their status known.
II General Malone enters President Harr-
sons Cabinet, or j. accorded such Influence
with the new Administration az 10 be given
the control Of the Federal patronage In Viz
ginia, and thus practically recognized as the
leader OF the party in tbs state, It VIII all boz
done In the face OF a ful understanding OF
General Mahone's record and OF a protest go
strong that any future success OF the party
under General Nahone's leadership wall be-
a matter OF impossibility. ROBlN ADAm.