The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-06-20
Virginia Rapnblicans.

1t will he seen from the press dispatch
elsewhere published that President Harri-
son has taken position in regard to the
factions in the Republican party in Vir'
ginia. lie has announced that it is not
within he scope of his duties, as Presi.
dent, to interfere with factional differ
ences in any State, and that neither fac
tion will be recognized, as such. in the dis
tribution of patrcnage-thaJ men will be
chosen on their merits, whether of one
faction or the other, to fill offices, and that
the endorsement of no particular person
is necessary to assure official recognition.
This is the proper view to take of the
matter 1t is the way to discourage fac.
tional contentious, and bring about bet
ter feeling between those who differ as to
the plan of party organization. The Pres
ident can have nothing to do with these in.
ternal dissensions. AS an individual he may
have his views of what is right or wrong,
but in his official capacity he cannot be-
come party to the controversy, however
much he may wish to see harmony, not
only in Virginia, but in every. State. in the
Union. Had this policy been announced
earlier. factions would have had nothing
to feed on, SO far as Federal patronage is
concerned and the President would have
been relieved of good deal Of annoyance.
He might give audience to the representa-
tives of one faction to-day, and another
to morrow, and keep it up to the close OF
his administration, and be would be no
better prepared to act, as between them,
than he is now. 1t would be but the rep
ettion of an oft-told tale, with nothing
new to guide 10 a solution of the differ
ences. The President acquits himself OF
all responsibility for the angry contentious
and we presume will proceed to make APP
pointments in the line he has indicated.
1t will be for the party in the State to ad.
just it's contentious, and adopt a plan by
which united front may be presented to
the Democracy in the fall elections.
The Debt Question.
Gov. Lee is making prominent de-
NAL of any authority vested in Gen. j.
B. Henderson and Col II. G. Parsons to
speak for Virginia or in any way to ne
gotiate as TO the State debt with tie for
egn bondhO)ders. This denial was entire
ly unnecessary SO far as the facts are
concerned. The gentlemen named have
not assumed to represent Virginia or
claimed to have any authority either
from Gov. Lee or Auditor Ruflin-the
two officials who seem to have the inter-
ests of Virginia especially in charge. But
there ia nothing in the laws of Virginia
or the prerogatlyes of the Governor to
prevent them from making inquiry into
the sentiment and disposition of the
bondholders, nor is there anything in the
equity of the case to prevent a proposition
being submitted to the people OF Vir-
ginia for a settlement of the debt ques
ton. 1t would not be agreeable to the
Governor to have the debt settled without
''asklng his leave" but such thing is
possible. Whether that will be the out
come of the talk with the foreign bond
holders Or not we do not know, but
stranger things haye happened. One
thing is certain, Gov. Lee, with his
record and notions, will never have the
honor of accomplishing anything in that
direction.