Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-09-04
Republican Oppositiou TO Mahoue,

The opposition to Gen. Mahone's methods |
and purposes, as manifested in the manner
he conducts the course of the Republican
party in Virginia, in virtue of his position
as Chairman of the State Committee, has
been for some time opposed by many lead
ers of that party, and in every part of the
State. The most out-spoken and deter
mined opponent of his course is the Vatley
Virginidn, which declares its purpose to
oppose his election to the Office of Governor
of Virginia at all hazards. 1t is uuneces-
sary to say that the Virginian is regarded
as the foremost, not only of all the Repub
licsn papers in Virginia, but also of the en-
tire South, and, in point of service con-
stancy and ability its senior editor is with
out rival in his PARTY, throughout the
same extent of the country.
In the first issue of the Virginian after
the State Convention of the Republican
party was held, the reasons for the opposi-
ton to Malone, were, if possible, more full
| ly made known, as it arranged him with
the following indictments, and in the same
issue of the paper again predicts his over
whelming defeat. We quote as follows
"The Virginian will not support General
Malone for Governor, for the following
among other reasons.
The body that nominated him was not a
Republican convention, representing the
sentiment of the party in the State.
The primary meetings were not repre-:
sentative of tho sentiment of the party in
the precincts.
The county conventions were not repre-
sentative of the sentiment of the party in
the counties.
They were all engineered by Malone
through his self perpetuating plan of or
ganization, to suppress popular sentiment
and record his wishes in the nomination fol
Governor that was presented at Norfolk.
His nomination makes the issue, he Peo
pie against Malone, and precudes tho dis
cussion of the economic questions, State
and national, which might have been fair
ly and properly considered during the cam
pagn.
His election would, we believe, be ca
lamity to the Commonwealth, in that i
would paralyze industrial progress, arres
the inflow of capital and enterprise, and in
augurate reign of hate and revenge tina
would disturb and aggravate every relation
of business and influence that contemplatel
the material progress of the State.
If elected he would not, in our judgment
hesitate one moment to prostitute the dear
est interests of the State to his own per
sonal ends and ambition, just as he hal
prostituted the interests of the Republican
party.
1t would be menace TO the Republican
party of the nation. in that it would be az
endorsement of bossism, through the aid
of the Chairman of the National Commit
tee and revive the malign influence that OF
former occasions has threatened the disrup
ton of the party, but which has been re-
buked by the people as often as it has beer
presented before them.
II His defeat would be a protest against biz
self perpetnating plan of organization, tx
which he owes bis nomination; his indictiyt
persection Of Republicans who have the in
dependence and the manhood to question
his methods; his utter disregard of the will
and wants of the people in their local con
Germs; his abuse of power unwisely intrust-
ed to him, by which he piescribes all Re-
publicans who will not wear his collar an6
favers only those who are bis willing tools,
regardless of their fitness and qualifications
It would emancipate the party in the
State from domination that has hereto
fore kept and will in all time to come keep
from it many who agree with the principles
of the party as they apply to national ad'
ministrative policy and prevented the State
from becoming enrolled in the Republican
column.
| We do rot believe in "bossism I've are
not willing that one man shall hold the Re-
publican party IN Virginia in his clutch, to
do with it as he may please-to control all
of it's interests, State and national, and
entbrone himself as absolute ruler and die
tator, and so believing we cannot and will
not support General Mahons for Governor. :"