The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-07-17
w hat MIR. Barbour Says.

Washington Post.
Senator Barbour in conversation with Post
reporter last evening expressed great surprise
at the action of the Republican State commit
tee in resolving to take no further part in cam
paigns in Virginia on account of alleged corrup-
ton in connection with elections. He said that
from the position he occupied as chairman of
the Democratic committee he was able to state
positively that the elections in Virginia had
been as fairly conducted as those i'll any other
State AS evidence of the truth of his assertion
he cited the very large Republican vote cast in
1884, when Mr.. Cleveland carried the State by
about Coca majority, and again in 1888 when
President Harrison came within COO votes of
carrying the State, when the total Republican
vote exceeded 1500N
1.-The resolutions refer, see,'' said he, 'sto my
absence in 1886, when the Republicans carried
the majority of the congressional districts, and
| Democratic authority is quoted that if I had
been present the count would have been differ
ent The result in 1896 was not as favorable to
the Virginia Republicans as the Republican
State committee would have the country he
leve. Instead of seven out Of the ten member !,
of Congress the Democrats elected three OF their
own party faith and one Independent, and the
Republican majority instead of being 10000 was
very much less
mo Democratic authority ever charged or in
| simulated that [ would or ever had tampered
with or interfered with any count of the ballots.
The truth is that what was said in that connec
tion by portion of the Democratic press in q
personal, friendly spirit to me was that if | had
been at home the result Of the election would
have been different No such meaning as count
as distinguished from result was ever alleged
against me by the Democratic party. So far as
am concerned in the count of the ballots in
any election with which have been connected
in Virginia since 1882, I disclaim all personal
knowledge, direct or otherwise, of any unfair
action or proceeding.
II have no doubt some Republican votes,
whose identity could not be shown, were strick-
am quite confident, however, that instead of
the actual number did not exceed 1900 OF 1900
in the entire State. 1t is well understood that
the cololed voters i'll Virginia are of migratory
habits, moving from county to county in search
of employment, while large numbers seek work
in distant States.
1.-The declaration on the part of General Ma
homes committee that the Republicans OF Vir-
ginia should forbear further participation in the
elections account of the unlawful dsfran=
chisement of the electors is insneere and de-
neptive. The election machinery in Virginia is
practically and in substance throughout the
State what it was when General Malone and
his party controlled the State government.
'.If there was any wrong perpetrated in the
last Congressional elections in Virginia, why is
it that the Republican House of Representa-
tives has failed to find with single exception,
that any wrong was done? and in the exception
referred to the allegation of fraud was confined
single ward in Richmond