The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-12
SEATTLE. MONDAY, OCT. 1s.


Virginia has twelve electoral votes. In
1888, when the Democrats were in power at
Washington City, and Malone, the leader
of local faction, General Harrison came
within 1900 votes of carrying the state.
When the people of Virginia voted upon
national issues their vote was closely
divided, but the NEXT year, with Malone in
absolute control of the Federal patronage,
the Republicans were beaten by 10000
majority. The Republican party is very
strong in Virginia while Mahoneism is
very weak.
This year Malone, as chairman of the
state committee, issued a circular urging
the Republicans to make no nominations
this year. This cowardly course was met
by an indignant protest, and the anti-Ma-
hone Republicans, under the lead of Colo
mel II. G. Parsons, an ex-Union soldier,
met in convention and have decided to put
full state ticket in the field. The Par
sons wing has the negroes largely with it
and has the most votes, but Malone
claims to still control the Federal patron
age. The anti-Mahone Republicans assert
that Malone does not want full Repub-
lican vote this year as 1t would be SO much
larger than the vote he polled for governor
in 1889 that his weakness as q party leader
would be revealed. Malone wishes
simply to retain his place as chairman of
the state committee in order to control the
state delegation to the Republican national
convention in 1892, and use his authority
to trade on.
Whether this plausible view is correct or
not, 1t is clear that under Malone the Re-
publican party is declining in Virginia.
and his course of non-action the year be-
fore q presidential election is vigorously
condemned by all the leading Republican
press of the East. When chairman of q
state committee urges his party to with
draw from the field he is like general
that takes to fight without battle; he is
discredited with his troops, and no wonder
the aggressive Virginia Republicans have
rebellcd against his decision, met in mass
convention, chosen a new state committee
and a new chairman and appealed to the
Republican party throughout the country
for support.
Colonel Parsons, who is q Blaine man,
in public letter urges the anti-Mahone
party to prove its strength, free themselves
from the Malone burden now and place
themselves in position to contest the state
in the presidential campaign of next year.
In his open letter to Malone, Colonel Par.
sons says:
Four years ago today we were in position, as
the next election proved, to have given our
electoral vote by at least 5000 majority to
Blaine, Alger or Harrison, when we were startled
by the publication of your secret circular,
written upon the official paper of the Repub-
lican state committee and signed by you as
chairman, calling upon your trusted agents by
concerted action 10 pack the approaching con-
vention In the interest of Sherman, giving az
reason that you had personal knowledge that
Blaine was at work to secure the state and that
you had private knowledge OF his having made
corrupt political bargain that proved his
hatred toward Southern Republicans and his
disloyalty to his party. The swift answer came
10 those who read in parallel columns your ex-
posed circular and Blaine's letter from Flor
enee. Very few besides yourself were aston
ished when, with an unquestioned majority, as
national reouke, you were driven from the
doors oil the national convention, and a spirit
rose thar made Harrison candidate and presi.
dent
The trouble with Malone is that he be-
longs to curious school of Americon pol
iticians that includes such men as Aaron
Burr, Caleb Cushing, Andrew Johnson
and Ben Butler, men who care true to one
party, and that's to himself" Malone
came OF an obscure Virginia family; rose
TO distinction as an able, daring and bril-
hant Confederate major general. holding a
very high place as soldier with General
Lee. After the war he turned his atten.
ton to politics. raised the demasoeue
Issue OF the "readjuster" state debt move.
ment. and organized coalition between
the Republicans and the white anti.bour-
bons, promised the blacks better schools
and fair chance in the civil service. and
the poor whites more liberal treatment
than they had received from the old blne
blood planter bourbon Democracy. An
energetic, fearless, INSCRIPTIONS dema.
sosue' he organized class prejudice, and
MS coalition of poor whites and blacks
swept the state and elected a legislature
which made Malone United States sen.
ator In 1850 In the Senate he acted for
his own hand, voting with the Republic.
ans wherever he could make anything bv
III Tor Malone. The Republicans wore
glad OF his vote. but he was profonndIv
distrusted and disliked by the best Reppb.
hcans as dark, dangerous man, with all
the qualities of type conspirator about
him-courage, nerve, energy; a cold. self.
tsh, constituencies creature, dangerous -
trust, dangerous to defy. Garfield dalliea
with him; Arthur never gave him hi,
confidence; he was sometimes usefuI hr,
never agreeable. He carried the ley;..
lature of his state again in 1851, and hi,
lieutenant, Riddleberger, was elected -
the United States Senate.
By 1854 Mahone'. greed and imper;on.
enforcement of the spoils doctrine began
20 break down his power and in 1855 his
best man, like the late General wickham
deserted him among the Republicans and
after desperate fight the Malone party
was beaten in the guhernatorial election OF
1SS5 by General Ntx-Hugh Lee. Tha,
Aahone's loss Of power, despite his abil.