The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-08-15
The Situation.


only hope of placing Virginia in the
Republican column this fall. 1t is further
known, while not interfering with the
local affairs of the State, that he does
not approve of the Malone plan OF Or
ganization, and that he has been heard
to say that such an organization would
not be tolerated by the Republicans OF In
diana for tWenty-four hours. 1t is further
known that the President desired such
an adjustment of the differences between
the two factions as would recognize the
rights and equality of each, and that no
discrimination should be observed III
dealing with them. 1t was in Difference to
this known view Of the President that
the recent call for State Convention
was formulated, which, upon its face,
seemed to be fair enough. To carry out
the spirit of this understanding it was
further agreed that appointments to Oh
flee should be made upon the recommen-
dation of each of the factions. Gen.
Malone assumed the sole authority to
speak for his faction, and consequently
it required his endorsement TO have an
appointment made. The other side has
endorsed and urged the appointment OF
friends of Gen. Malone, and thus Sc
cured their nomination. Gen. Malone
refuses to endorse any one who is OPP
posed to him and his methods, and as a
result all such who are applicants for po-
sition have their applications hung up
Malone preferring, as he has said, that
Democrats should remain in office, I'M
less Republican personally acceptable
to himself is the applicant. Both of the
United States Marshalls are friends of
Gen. Malone, and were recommended
by prominent members of both fac
tions, the anti-Mahone men not regard
ing the simple fact of friendship for Ma
hone to be cause for opposing them.
The internal Revenue Collector for
the 9th district is a Malone man, but
was endorsed by anti Malone men. and
thus his appointment was secured Both
of the United States District Attorneys
are Malone men and were appointed in
the same way Nearly all the 4th class
postmasters and all of the I'd class. eX-
cept one. who have been appointed, are
Malone men, who were similarly en-
dorsed But when it comes to an appll-
cent who is not branded with Mahone's
trade mark, his signature is refused, and
nsequently the office continues in the
possession of Mr.. Cleveland's appointee.
Were the mere fact of the offices the
only point to consider, it would not be
worthy of discussion or serious conten-
ton But there is "a vital principle in
yolved, which 40 party can inspire the
confidence of the people that violates
it, 1t is that of respect for local SEN
timent and proper qualifications for OIL
eial service, In no instance has ten.
M.lhone been known to be governed by
this consideration ia his recommends
ton. If the entire people OF a community,
both Repul leans and Democrats, should
favor an applicant, he would not re-
cetve Gen Mahone's endorsement, or his
consent to his appointment, unless he
was known to be a Malone man. 1t is
wishes of a community that he consid-
ers. but himself. He makes that the
ssa1ge of Republication. 1t does not
IN ,tter to him whether man has the
go ifidence and respect of his neighbor
or not. 1t is a question of the utmost
Indifference to him whether he has in
I'll snce and capacity or not. The sole
test with him is the degree of subser-
yiencv he manifests and want OF lndl-
Siduality and independence he may eX-
his,it He does not consult the wishes
of the people either in localities or
thro lghout the State. He consults HIM
self and determines his action by that
rule alone. He assumes to be the parry
and this assumption is carried out In
every detail and ramification of party
and official relations.
1t is apparent that no self-respecting
people will endorse and submit to such
a despotic and selfish policy. 1t has
driv n from active cooperation with the
Rep lblican party some of the best men
in the State But for Gen. Mahone's ar
to day would be Republican by 10000 to
IL. 100 majority. The fruits of the vic
tory of 1881 were lost by his tyranny.
The numerous defeats which have over
taken the party since then are directly
traceable to the same cause. Some of
the brightest and ablest of the public
spe kers who supported him last year
have left him because of his insuffera-
BILE iespotism. Republicans from. prin-
ciple earnest in their convictions and
willing to labor for the party, when its
suece IS means practically more than the
graf ication of the selfish ambition OF
one nan, they reluctantly declare that
they cannot longer support Mahone.-
This feeling permeates every county and
district in the State, and while there are
man who thus believe and feel who will
vote Tor the nominees of the Norfolk
Convention, there are thousands who
will not vote at all, unless the gentlemen
selected, in their personal character,
give assurance that they cannot be used
foe any purpose less than the good OF
Inc > ATE anu Tile DTOIuOllOH vi uHo CauoO
of Republcanism. With these men it
is not office-it is not the absence of the
fayors of government which enter into
their views and determination. 1t is
self-respect-a conviction that Mahonlsm
is not Republicanism, and that its sue
cess would not be a victory for princi-
Die. but the enforcement of one man
as the dictator of Virginia, and me-
mace not only to the best interests OF the
Commonwealth, but to the Republican
party of the Nation.
We expect, after the two Conventions
have met and placed in nomination their
respe Give tickets, to review the whole
feel of Virginia politics, and discuss
w til free, fair mind the interests in
VOWED, and the relation of parties and
fact ons to them. In doing SO, we hope
to be guided by sense of duty; to be
governed by an impartial view of the
IA; and questions at issue; to moth
Ing extenuate or aught set down in NAL
ice, and give the reasons for the faith
TIA is in us.
Il le Alexandria Gdzette's cOrrespon-
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