Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-09-20
JOHN E. MASSEY ON MAH0NE'S
s...--ss.s METHODS.
From Lt.-Gov. Massey's speech at Char
lottesville Aug. 26th.1

IFrom Lt.-Gov. Masseys speech at Char
lottesville Aug. 18th
Mr.. Massey who was called for very
vociferously, said he never expected again
to be a candidate for political honors, and
felt, therefore, he could speak freely in re-
gard to himself. General Malone, while
he was associated with him in politics, had
assured him repeatedly that he (MahOne)
was Democrat and could not be anything
else,
He said that Malone sent for him and
said: ''Don't you think Billy Cameron
has aspirations for the governorship In
the name of God what has he ever done to
entitle him to the honor? Absolutely moth
ing. There is Johnnie Wise who has as
pirations for the governorship also, but
he can be easily gotten rid of. You have
canvaSsed the State and have done much
valuable work for the party, and you are
entitled to the nomination, and / think
you can get it unless special effort is made
in behalf of one of these others. There
should be but one name before the cOnven-
ton and you are the man, and there will
be none other if the people have their way.
But Cameron and Wise both say they will
go wherever | lead
He paused and looked me steadily and
searchingly in the eye. l looked him in
the eye; neither of us Winked. / said, Gen
eral, hope you will lead only where | can
follow and do nothing which I cannot ap-
prove. can consent to go with you only
so far as | think you are right" He never
said anything more to me on the sub ect.
We never had another interview.
At that time, though did not know it,
Malone had made his corrupt bargain
with Simon Cameron at the Exchange
hotel, in which he agreed to turn the State
over to the Republicans. We did not
know this. Fulkerson did not know it,
Ruffin did not know it, and the prominent
Readjusters did not know it. We thought
party and that Malone was honestly a
Democrat. Can you trust the government
into the hands of a man who has thus will
fully deceived the people, Benedict Ar
mold was never a greater traitor than Gen.
eral Malone,
If Malone had proposed all of the meas
ureS he wanted passed, in a batch, men
would have stood amazed and abaShed
But he brought up one at time, the least
Objectionable first. He thus led his men
on step by step.
BRIDE OFFERED,
The speaker then described the pressure
brought to bear upon the 'Big Four" All
sorts of threats and persuasons were
brought to bear upon Mr. Williams. Sun
| dry promises and offers were made without
avail. Finally, Jersey Jones came down
and saw Mr.. Williams privately, Hesaid
| that one man was needed to carry out the
measures. This they intended to have and
| would certainly get. Money was no con-
sideration to them, in fact, $50, 900 would
not be too much: He then waited few
minutes, and eyed Mr.. Williams who said
nothing. Finally, Jones said: Probably
you do not understand me, if you do not /
will make myself palmer
Mr.. Williams replied 81 understand
you perfectly and l think this interview
had better end righl here
Mr.. Massey said that he himself was be-
sieged every day. Williams would come
and stay in his room To keep from being an;
noyed. Mr.. Turner, a wealthy man, and
one of his bOndsmen, came to see him and
urged him in every way. He said he was
authorized by General Malone to state his
terms. He replied it was not for the van
pushed to dictate terms. He was told that
| he was not vanqVished, that General Ma
hone would SUPPORT him for anything, tie
told them if Malone wanted to see him OF
had any proposition to make he should
come to him that he would never goto Ma
hone. Finally, message came that General
Malone wanted to know when he could
see him at his MasseyisJ room at his hotel.
| The speaker said he sent back word that he
would see General Malone only upon the
conditions that the interview should be
conducted in the presence OF more than
one person, and that what was said might
be written down and used for publication
This ended the matter. He was not troi;
bledl further,