Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-12
CAMERON ON MALONE
THE EX-GOVERNOR SPEAKS HIS MINE
PRETTY FREELY.
Reply 10 Certain Alleged Caiumnies Cir
cuIated for Political Ehect-The
Spider in His Web.
rn,c,a, Telegram 70 the Dlspatch.I

Especial telegram 70 the Dispatch.l
prrrpspran Va. October 1.-THE fol-
lowing important paper from Ex-Governor
William +. Cameron, In reply TO certain
ALLEGED calumnies published and circulated
hv General William Malone for political
effect will appear in the Indep-Appcdl OF
to-morroy. The Governors structures on
Malone will doubtless demand some re-
snonse. and then more damaging state
ments still NAV be expected from Governor
Cameron:
TO the People Of Virginia;
Elected IN the yoar 1891 hy n majority ap-
preaching l4,0l0 votes, and that majority COM
posed Of all classes aud elements OF our popuie,
lion 10 Tho highest Office I'm your gift, assumed
that trust with the siucero desire To deal homes,
" with every Interest, individual aud general
committed 10 my charge as Governor
For my guidance thore was:
First the Constitution which was sworn W
observe and obey
second. the laws passed 10y the General As
scmbly IN cOusOnaucs with mat hstrnmeh,
which was sworn TO execute.
Third and subordinate to these. bat not loss
sacred within proper Limitation, the ful- iment
Of pledges made 10 tho party which aomnsieu
and elected me.
Reviewing those four years, claim 10 have
made 4 continuous and conscientious eHorl 10
reconcile and discharge those obligations, oven
whom som stmos apparently conflicting. TO-
hAps In some respects failed. should nave
been moro or Jess than mortal ma such nor p"rh
the case II 40 the failure wss nor due 10 any
lack Of an earnest sense o. duty or FOR tho want
OF a controlling wish 10 DO faithful IN the e1ecV-
ton Of all these trusts.
Retiring from that high position, had hoped
O. have and believe have the endorsement OF
a large majority OF my feliow-ctizens % the fact
that my andeavOr was night, no matter whatmy
accomplishment may have been. sun J admit
that my administration must be judged ~ rs
results. and hold u open 20 all falr ana honofi-
bic criticism. But there ia a KIM OF atieck
which il cowar,ily and improper. aud needs 90 bo
met with force of language which, under
ordinary circumstances would ioi De lustlna-
bic A reluctance so enter the arena OF pcrson-
al controversy has kept me silent though res
tive for several years. but now sense Of self
respect and OF duty which owe e. tho people
Of whom have been the chosen chiei msgis-
trate demands that ! should resent and repel
assaults upon my personal aud Official character,
whether open or insduous, and from Whatever
source emanating.
In July. 1881, General william Malone was
United states senator from Virginia, chairman
Of the REPUBLICAN party of tho state, also chief
owner OF the Richmond Bhig, thon the recog-
nized organ q the Republican party ~ Virginia.
was Governor And General hahOne then aud
there. committed the most dsstardly attempt to
assasSinRte the political and personal character
OF an associate that can be found In history.
THE SPIDER IN HIS WEB.
He sat Ike spider In his web at Washington,
intent only upon using hia bargain with the Adj
ministration Tor the appointment OF Federal Off
GERS Ia virginia. while WAS IN Richmond cOfl-
fronting tw0-thirds Democratic majority 10 tho
Legislature and writing yetoes daily against the
acts OF which he now complains The regular
session Of the Legislature expired. AMI the OBJ
1ects Of our political opponents had not been
perfected. had destroyed The Mccormick elec-
toral bill and other legislation upon which tho
Democratic heart was get The Democrats wish
to m n ff ~ q
political work AM Immediately set about 10 take
lawful steps 20 secure them.
The Constitution OF virginia provides see Ar
ticle " section 81 that the Governor shall " cOu-
vene the General Assembly on the application
OF two thirds Of the meInbers Of both houses
thereof" ! knew this provision and had regard
for my oath. Put In anticipation OF any act OF
mine I'm regard 10 an extra session occurred mo
attempt az assassination 70 which allusion hos
On July q, 1881, appeared in the Richmond
Wing an article signed AN, and datod nj Rock
bridge Alum Springs, Va, which alleged iu sub
stance that !. William K. Cameron, Governor,
was about 70 call an extra session OF the Cone
raj Assembly then Democratic by two thirds
majority under the threat Of Impeachment and
military coercion II did not yield 70 that de-
mand That statement was ~ false then ~ 10 ~
now There f. no man IN virginia Who could
have come 10 me, or who can come u me-
with any throat, or with any bride, "a o.
any action hat ! should take, personally
mitied 70 my charge, and both 81 us be alive al
the ond ~ that interview. No man ever did,
and 10 man ever VII, dare 20 approach me WIN
such proposition. | was visited az OLA Point
by Senator Hurt. President % tho senate ~ Nlr-
einia, aud by Judge Charles +. stuart. then
Speaker OF tho House 81 Delegate. bearing n
document containing the signatures ~ two
thirds u the mombera q both houses 10 a demand
FOR au extra session Of the Legislature. Judge
stuart Is nov deaI, but am sure that Senator
Hurt will testify that all the communi'a-
ton between Us, excepting social courtesy, va.
20 the effect that would take tho papers ihe7
presented aud hold them under ndyisomeht
Anl SO did. And consulted tho best ia1 ~.
in tho state 81 Virginia land their names shall
be forthcoming 81 necessary % 500 10 could
find a conscientious escape. under tho law, from
the disagrecable ddty which TIC Constitution
imposed on the Governor 20 callnr an cTr1
session Of The General Assembly whensgei
called on so 10 % by d" tw0 thirds OF tue Mcr-
ber5 OF both houses IheruoL' Was 10.
anxious then o. meot again hostile Legs
laturo with which / hai been hopelessly
struggling through q weary wiz tel while Gene
raj Malone was D2skng ia tue smiles Oh 3D..
| friends as Washington. lut was u1i inen. a.
| SIN not now. disposed % shirk ANY dIiy because
Il might be- disacrceablc OF for fear % the cOu-s
duences % result from the discharge thereof
Obeyed my Onth. ! bowed 10 mo las. I called
the extra ecrsion. During IT. continuance
! again iu'erpOscd yct0es % every political le'
aud gave my reasons frankly and fearless. ia
| Those writings are al Of record Ia tho Journals
OF the two house., an abide he verdict.
But what ala General N.houe 90! lthas al
ready been stated nat prs-umptive attack Ga'
made ON me il TIE Richmond Eh1 July
| ISL 70 wa signed &N. j. wa dated iron
hocEuri3ge Alum opriuCs. twas -1 published
/ In Gcuolal ffHhoucis own paper. he Richmond
| Bhig-fhAt s., lao not only aftlcLct me outrarr
| Ously and anonymously Ia his own paper. uut be-
! mIsIa.cd TIE letter ia order ~ mako my suspi
ciOn ~ The auth rshil fall ON SONS one else
! And hive the admission under his own sigma.
| ture. that no was the author of that letter