Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-10-23
STRONG CHARGES
Malone and Ma
hOneiSm.
HIS REVOLUTIONARY RECORD RE-
VIEWED.
WHY HIS RETURN TO POWER Is
DREADED

BY ALL TRUE vIRGINIANs-THE CORRUPT
AND DIsGRACEFUL LEGISLATION WHICH
HE ATTEMPTED TO FORCE ON THE sTATE
| IN 1882-THE R. & A. TRANSACTION.
| A staff representative of the New York
Herald, writing from Norfolk on the politi
cal contest in Virginia, gives strong re-
view of Mahone's revolutionary record in
be politics aud legislation Of the State
Following are the reasons he gives why all
true Virginlans dread Mahone's return to
power -
Democrats not only feel that the election
of General Malone would be lasting dis
but that it would unsettle for the next de-
cade the prosperous and peaceful con-
ditions under which, for the past four
years, they have been living.
INTERNEcINE STRIFE.
But the bitterest fight is between Gen.
Malone and the boiling Republicans. This
is family quarrel, and, like all quarrels of
this nature, is marked by degree of
acrimony unusual in ordinary political con-
tests.
The revolt of the aDti-Mahoneites pro-
ceeds from the same cause that led to up
rising of the independent Republicans
against the Cameron dynasty in Pennsyl-
vania in 1889, and which resulted 10 the
defeat of Gen. Beaver-viz., objection to
sboss'' rule. 1t is useless for Gen. Ma
hone to contemptuously dismiss all refer
ence to these gentlemen by styling them,
as he does, s'soreheads" and disappointed
ofice-seekers. There may be some among
them to whom these terms apply, but in
the great majority of cases they are earn
est, thoughtful men, whose animating pur-
pose is the publication of their party by
the defeat of the man who has made its
name byword for reproach throughout
the length aud breadth of the land. 1t is
possible that they may Overestimate their
strength, but what they lack in this re-
spect is counterbalanced by the vim and
energy they are throwing into the canvass
CHARGES AGAINST MAHoNE.
have said that the Democrats of Vir-
ginia look with dread upon the possibility
of General Mahone's return TO political
power. They judge his future by his past.
That his former administration Of the State
was a corrupt and disgraceful one may be
gathered from the following brief sum-
|
mary of facts:-
First.-When his Readiuster Legislature
and Governor were in Office at Richmond
in 1872 he had introduced Senate bill
No. 161 providing for the publication of
the general laws of the State by the Su-
psrintendent of Public Printing in news
paper printed in the city of Richmond
without bids. Upon the Democrats amend
ing it for bids it died a natural death.
Second.-That he had introduced House
bill 1S0, providing '-for each separate
quality of brand or fertilizer sold or offered
for sale in this State there shall be paid an
annual privilege of $780," This tax would
be added to the cost of the fertilizer paid
by the consumer.
Third.-The Legislature permitted the
Richmond 6 Allegheny railroad to pay
debt 1t owed the State of $420, 900 in Rid
dleberger bonds worth about fifty cents on
the dollar, Acts 1872, page 400. The
company was exempt from taxation and
the Democrats in the Legislature to op-
pose this bill moved to have the railroads
immunity from taxation taken away. and
they also moved that the claim should be
put up and sold to the highest bidder, the
stock of the company being at the time
quoted at 5000 per share. Both amend
meuts were rejected and the State gave
away some 100000.
Four5h. Because he had introduced
House bill No. $50, known as "Commis-
sioner of Sales BILL" which provided that
the Governor of the State should appoint
for each county and city commissioner of
sales, who should sell all real estate de-
creed or ordered to be sold by the court in
the county for which he was appointed,
and should collect and disburse the pro-
ceeds of such sale, and that no consent of
parties entered of record should be author
ICED for any person or persons to execute
such decree. Every such commss ioner
should be ex-officio, the general receiver of
the court for which he was appointed COM
missioner, and no was to advertise such
sales in a newspaper in each county or
city, without limit as to rate. The Demo-
Gratis proposed to am and this so that tie
commissioner should be elected by the
people as sheriff and constable are bat the
Mahoneites voted against it. The bill
passed tho House, but in the Senate the
amendment mentioned was engrafted upon
it by the Democrats, aided By Senators
Newberry, Lybrook, Hale and Wingfed,
well known afterward as the big Fenr."
These were resdjuser Senators who re-
volted at the character of the measure pro-
posed and voted against it with the Demo
Gratis.
Fifth.-Because by Senate bill ia and
House bill 56, session Of 1882, he sought to
so regulate the sale of tobacco and restrict
the warehousemen for that purpose as to
throw an insuffsrabe burden upon the
people and force the business into the
hands of his political friends.
Sixth.-Because by Senate bill No. 81,
at the same session, he sought to relieve
the Police Justice of the city of Richmond
and appoint another in his place, taking the
power of election from the councils.
Seventh.-Because by House Bill No 10,
the charter of the city of Norfolk was
amended to provide that the Mayor and
two citizens appointed by the Judge Of the
Hastings Court, which Judge was elected
by the Legislature, should constitute a
Board of Police Commissioners and that
upon lis qualification all the police force
and the old Board, which consisted of the
Mayor and two citizens appointed byEthe
councils, should at once vacate their po-
sitions. This bill was passed and became
law, and the people of Norfolk suffered
into control and changed the charter.
AIMING AT THE RAILROADS.
Wy 4OuoC 4NOs O11
''to regulate freights and passenger tariff, :"
he sought to take control of the railroad
system of the State by Board of Commits.
sioners appointed by the Governor and
confirmed by the Senate. The bill was in
tended to absolutely dominate the rail-
roads.
This bill passed the House and was de-
feated in the Senate by the Democrats and
the "Big Four"
Ninth.-Because by another bill it was
provided that all notaries public then in
Office should be removed uno foto and
their successors appointed by Mahone's
Governor. There were then 400 notaries
! in the State and the Secretary of State, w.
c. Elan. would have received five dollar
fee for each reappointment.
Tenth.-Because he sought by similar
arbitrary and unreasonable legislation to
take from the various county boards of
school trustees the power of filling vacan-
cies and lodge it in board appointed at
Richmond.