The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-10-10

INTEREST IN VIRGINIA ELECTION-MA-
HONE UNDERSTOOD AND CONDEMNED
OUTSIDE 1NTEKthkENCE AN EVIL.
Correspondence OF the virginan.
Boston, September 80, 1889.
The coming election in Virginia at
tracts unusual attention throughout the
North, Tor the reason that the best class
OF citizens. irrespective OF political faith,
believe that the complete overthrow OF
Mahoneism means the emancipation OF
the party from dishonorable boss rule
ana the freeing OF the State from an in
cubus which is power for evil, retard-
ing poth political and material growths.
No one attempts to explain away the
glamour which has blinded into endorse
ment OF Malone both the Administra-
ton at Washington and the recognized
Republican leaders in the last campaign.
Nor are there many apOlogists for the
mistake. Instead there is manifested a
sense of humiliation that such a pitfall
has entrapped the feet of those of whom
better things were prophesied.
If there is an ounce of truth in the
pounds of statement telegraphed North
concerning MahOne's present methods
and the ease with which, by the use of
money and other brides, he manipulates
the votes of colored men, then colored
men, and women too, ought to be thor
Oughly ashamed Of themselves. Here is
a paragraph from dispatch sent from
Abingdon to the Boston Herald three
days ago;
''In the contest of 1887, when Hon.
John S. Wise was Mahone's chairman of
the city of Richmond, that gentleman
adopted the plan of offering prize of
500 to the negro who brought out the
largest vote in his precinct. The plan
..ro,,IyoI wall and Wica- hv that and
other means, brought out the largest
colored vote polled in that city for many
wears. He came nearer carrying the
capital city, too, than ever before
known After the election the prize
was claimed by stalwart negro leader.
Initiating Capt. Wise's idea, General
Malone is offering rewards to his colored
henchmen for diligence in his political
vineyard Not only are large sums OF
money to be given to those who display
the greatest zeal in bringing out the
black voters, but the women-who, by
the way, are the best manipulators Ma
hone has-will be proffered articles OF
house furniture as a reward for their
services. For years past, these Anna
IONS have been the best whippers-in the
Republicans in Virginia have had. No
man in Virginia more thoroughly un-
derstands the negro voter than Malone,
and no one is more ready to play upon
the credulity and superstition OF that
race Not only will he encourage all
sorts OF trickery, in bringing the voters
go so far as to employ all the arts OF
voudooism to frighten the black men
into supporting their candidates."
Can the colored people OF any State
hope for any legislation to provide addl-
tional protection at the polls if they are
known as so many heads for sale to the
highest bidder? or as towards to be
scared into doing another's bidding?
What good has any political party
curse has VIM. Malone ever been to
Virginia? Had moral integrity been re-
CURED of party leaders would he ever
have been heard of in politics? The
Republican party of Virginia has been
taking care of too much. TO back
to 49, II left to themselves the consti-
tuition would have been adopted in toto.
Gov. Wells, who had proven himself
honest and able, would have been elected,
and in place of the shilly-shally course
that has ever since been pursued in the
State, there would have been steady
onward march to prosperity. But out
side interference turned the tide and
trouble began From that time to the
present Virginia has suffered from the
'.help'' that has been thrust upon it. If
there shall come such an uprising in the
next election as will show meddlers that
Virginans do not propose to be har-
messed to the chariot car OF any self
constituted leader" then may we hope
for the coming of the dawn in the Old
Dominion. Proud men, men OF honest
instincts and of intelligence will not
follow the crook of the finger of any
boss When the political record OF
the man who constitutes himself dicta
tor is frightened by hardly one act that
had not for its prime motive self-aggran-
disement, who has stopped to all man
ner of tortuous devices to carry his
ends, who is avowedly determined to
rule or ruin,-it gives our heart to take
courage for the future of country to
see honest men, patriotic men, men with
soul above being bought with the petty
honor of an office. crying with unmis
takabl eemphasis, HALT RI. d. G.