Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-31
BLAIR BILL BLAIR.
The New Hampshire Senator In Richmond
Yesterday.

The New Hampshire Senator In Richmond
Yesterday.
About half-past o'clock yesterday after
noon Postmaster Cullingworth had as
visitor TO his Office large and rather good
looking elderly gentleman, with hair ana
beard Of sandy color. who introduced HIM
self as Senator Blair. OF New Hampshire.
He said that he had just arrived IN the city
from stanton ana would like 70 be put IN
communication with some leading Repub-
Icons. He had the name Of Mr. Smith,
but could not find him. He evidently ez-
pected 10 see Rcpublienns in the post-otfice
corps, but Mr.. Cullingworth informed him
that they were all Democrats. Our genial
postmaster. however. undertook to pnot
the stranger into the presence OF some OF
the latter's party friends, and at once
escorted him upstairs TO the Office OF the
Collector OF Customs and there introduced
him to Mr.. Otis H. Russell.
THE SENATOR INTERVIEWED.
Later on DisDaich reporter found Mr..
Blair AT the Exchange Hotel. Collector
of-Customs John W. Fisher and hr. Rus
sell were with him.
MIR. Blair was engaged in packing his va
lise. and in the intervals Of that under
taking talked pleasantly with his visitor.
How long have you been in Virginia
was asked Mr.. Blair.
Only a short while, he said. | have not
made many speeches only four One OF
them was at Nelson Courthouse, the
others were in Southwest virginia.
What did YOU talk abOutY
talked tariff and the Blair bill.
What other members Of Congress have
been canvassing Virginia for Malone:
know Of but three there mAy have been
Others. Burrows, Cheadle, and Pork are all
that / know.
HIS AUDIENCES.
Have you addressed large audiences?
Wen. as | said. only spoke toui times.
Your audiences were largely colored,
were they not:
la those meetings n Southwest virginia
there were few negroes; but N the meeting
at Nelson there were host OF them.
THE RACE ISSUE.
What is your opinion Of the race issue,
Nj Blair:
Oh. usbaw. said he: that's a humbug.
There is horace issue The negro Is all right
if he votes with YOU Democrats. II Is a
race issue if he votes the Republican ticket.
Did you ever know them to vote the
Democratic ticket;
Oh. yea, some Of them do, said the re-
porter.
Well, it NAV be true, but there must be
very few Of them, rejoined Mr.. BLAIR.
MALONE.
Have Won seen General Malone recently? {?
No. said Mr.. Blair. / have not, but ex-
pect to see him tonight. l leave on the
next train for Petersburg.
Just at this moment tap was heard at
the door and i'm walked Mr.. Fisher, who
handed the Senator telegram.
His reply 10 Mr. Fisher after reading the
TELEGRAM was Well. we have but a few
minutes. Get the carriage and we will
drive 10 the depot and will spend the
night in Petersburg. This Is my opportu-
nity to have a good talk with Malone
The OUTLOOK.
Does Malone think he will be elected
GovernorY asked the reporter.
Why not, said Mr.. Blair. He Is SEN
sible man. You give him credit for that
don't YOU? But | will tell you one thing
you people ought 10 do.
What's that, Senator:
You ought 10 turn around before it IS
too late and correct that work you did
IN different parts of this state last Satur-
day in striking from the observation-disclosures Ks
the names Of negro voters.
A THREAT OF RECONSTRUCTION.
You Democrats call itPuFginstho books
continued the senator, but don't yoL
know that that kind OF business will ire
up the northern people, and who knows
but what Congress whenit meets may take
some action the result OF which might be
the passage of "a measure that has been
talked of much heretofore as the national
election law. Can't you beat Malone
without doing thatl Why don't YOU have
a fair election? demanded the Senator
The Dispatch man assured Mr.. Blair that
he lad been misinfOrmed that no names
had been struck of except after due post
ing, and in strict conformity 10 law that
no one had been posted except where can
vassers had first ascertained that the per
sons were dead or had never lived where
he represented.
Heigho! said Mr. Blair. Rcpeaters, We're
they, and you just discovered 1t IN this
election
Here the reporter again protested that
Sir Blair was doing our people q violent
injustice with his suspicious, but he sad !:
Well. YOU must excuse me; J do not care
about discussing the matter. do not care
10 say ANYTHING more about It. The can
yass Is hot enough already.
INV ENGLASD's VIEW.
Are the New England people taking much
interest in the election in Virginia! asked
the newspaper-man.
The senator laughed and said; Yes. n
good deal Of interest is manifested up
lltit. we WOuil llht W o'D A4A' 7tiA'A
South broken. We would like 30 see VIZ
ginia the first 10 fall into the Republican
line. 1t would be the best thing possible
for your people.
What Is your observation OF the negroes
a. voters and citizens
What's that he said. quickly.
What is vour observation OF the negro
as voters and citizens?
Oh. well. he has sufficient intelligence TO
vote the Republican ticket, don't you think
so? That shows that he is getting TO be
enlightened. Hannibal had sope negro
blood in him. didn't he? | think | have
heard it mentioned in some place. Yes,
the negro is becoming enlightened, very
rapidly SO. every day. There is no occasion
for fear. White people will always rule.
OFF FOR THE TRAIN.
Here the Senator went towards the door,
saving: Well, you must excuse me. lmust
90. have lust time TO make the train.
Do you ever getup 10 Washington! SAID
he. addressing the reporter.
Yes. sometimes, was the reply.
Oh. well. come up there and get TO be n
good Republican. Take good cleTkshlp
or foreign appointment.
No. | thank you: the newspaper busi-
ness-a DemocTacy-is good enough for
me, answered the interviewer, as he bade
the Senator goodnight.
To-day Mr.. Blair Will spend with General
Malone: tonight he goes to Norfolk and