Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-26
THAT ~PoLITIcAL TRUCE IN vIR-
GINA"

Some Remarks About the Mahons-waddill-
LAngston Triumvirate.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
The remarkable statement IN THl SrAR Of
last evening in regard TO a political truce in
Virginia, whether seriously made or not. shows
such possible misapprehension Of the real
state Of affairs in Virginia, that il invites COM
ment.
The triumvirate Of Malone, waddiI and
Langston, of which you speak. presents = re-
variable combination. The two former have
been, perhaps, the most destroying Of agents
in political sense that this country has
ever known. Malone commenced his career
By bringing out Walker for governor
methods he adopted were so effective that he
was brought very close to the democratic party
in the reconstruction period. The democratic
party was then in unchallenged supremacy.
and il swept the state by 10000 majority.
Malone Joined the readjusters, and
two years later that party was
overwhelmed. He entered the United States
Senate better Democrat than Ben Hill," but
moved to the Republican side. The combina-
ton of resdjusters and republicans nov
held control in Virginia He suggested
legislature that the rebellion Of
the big four stopped all legislation and upon
dppehl 10 tue ptopH the NtmoffaHc party
came back into power. Since then the only
republican victory in the state was in the cleo
ton of 1884. when he abandoned the contest
and the state was carried by q. 600 majority and
the republicans secured six Congressman. The
greatest republican defeat recorded in twenty
six years was the last election when he was can
didate for governor and was defeated by 1900
majority. His home was in the Petersburg
district which on the day he Joined the repub-
lican party gave 5000 republican majority and
steadily from the days of reconstruction has
sent a member Of Congress.
few years ago Langston, q discontented
republican, was imported as a democratic
missionary and given office by the demo-
cratic state government. Between him and
Malone they have succeeded in chang
ing the 5000 republican majority to 5000
democratic and probably in all the political
literature Of this country there is nothing
to be compared for invectiye and charges
OF disloyalty to the pamphlets and pos
tiers used by these leaders in bringing on
the democratic victory. And there is
perhaps nothing more offensive today to four
tifths of republican voters of Virginia than the
assertion on the rarl of Malone that he con-
trolls the white vote or that Of Lnngston that he
can deliver the colored vote of the state.
Judge Waddillfs principal appearance in this
connection was in his threat during his canvass
that deferred Langston from entering his
district.
You should possibly have divided the repub-
icans into four rather than three parties. max
ing them Malone and anti-Mahone. Langston
and anti-Langston, but tvo might have been
better-the combine and the masses. You are
certainly in error in suggesting that the Presi-
dent of the United States or any friend
Of his was cognizant Of this character. IL the
meeting was ever held it was simply a combi-
nation to secure offices. These men have no
idea OF organizing and again carrying the
state OF Virginia. President Harrison is
too astute a politician to allow his for
tunes to pass under the deadly shade Of the
Malone influence. He remembers the embar-
rassment that confronted Grants friends-even
at tns Chicago convention. The fatal friend
ship and trade with readjustment that de-
stroyed the prospects Of Arthur; the mid
night circular against Blaine that made
il impossible for the Republicans
Of Virginia to cast their vote for Sherman
have not escaped his notice. He understands
the methods that have crushed the spirit of the
party in Virginia and periodically have aroused
the indignation of the whole north and
that the fifteen votes which
make the most important break toward
his nomination, came as the most violent pro-
test against the organization that refused to
allow counties to elect their chairmen on q
state convention to sit with open doors.
There is probably a republican majority in
Virginia. The new development will tend to
its increase. The President and his admins
tration are regarded favorably and whoever
expects that the .triumvirate' to whom you
refer will deliver the state of Virginia or ever
again cast its vote in the national convention
is far on the road to political madness.
SrRAIoHrour.