Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-04
sInhone's Non-partisan Patriots.

II is rather odd that with all OF his
diplomatic experience Colonel J. Hamp-
ton Hoge should have let General Ma
tones cat out Of thu non-partisan-party
bag as he did In Petersburg on Thursday
night.
Malone in speaking 70 his audience OF
Republicans and Popuiists was careful
10 explain that the honest in3un move
NEXT was a "non-yartisan" movement;
but Colonel Hoge. in the erdcr Of his
admiration for the great men present
let slip the observation that what Gene
raj Malone, General Walker, and Mr.
IIobson could not do to beat the Demo
cratic party was not worth knowing
There is an irTec4nalable eorfAt be
tween what Malone said and what Hoge
said. Right here al The outset the non-par-
5isan politicians fail 10 agree in language
but we know that they are AZ one in pnr-
pose-both being bent on defeating the
Democratic party. If we Will only so 70
sleep at our posts and let them.
So far was the Petersburg conference
from being non-partisan body that 1t
was the most intensely partisan collection
Of politicians. that vr have seen in Vir-
einia for many years. with but few ex-
ceptiens, al. those present had grievances
against the Democratic pa.~y. Nearly all
ahe conferrees are men who have vaihiy
sought Office at the hands OF the Demo
Gratis. Nothing could be more farcical
than that they should pose as disinterest-
ed or unselhsh patrlotsl BAIL
With here and there an exception, they
are men of Republican antecedents, or
men who have uRsuccessfully sought
office in our party. And now they are
nightly concerned about a free ballot
and fair count; so much so that through
The instrumentality o.. General Malone
? they have presented us with a substitute
sor the Walton law.
The Billy Mahone. bill, n offered as
substitute for the Walton law. IS sub
etantially the same law that prevails in
several States north Of the Potomac. II
we could hold O. constitutional conven-
zion and amend our suffrage article 50 as
10 rid ourselves OF the dangerous class
Of voters that we have amongst us, the
Malone plan might do very well indeed;
but, as things now stand, the Malone
bill IS not such a. bill as Virginia or any
other Southern States would On should
enact into law. .t ln'a
All this Mahone well knows. He's smart
enough. We are not telling him anything
that he DIDN'T. know before. But we
would inform our people The presidential
election is only year of. and Malone
wishes TO figure in II. Who knows but
that he may secure an office should the
Republicans come into power? AT any
rate. It Is prize that he thinks IS well
worth trying for. And how could he bet
ter bring himself into prominence than by
leading a fight In Virginia for flair cleo
lions" IL there Is anything in the de-
,nand for fair elections, the demanders
would succeed better without than with
Mahone's leadership. and this ne doubt
less understands; but he also knows that
IN such movement as that no prize
would come to him.
Malone will be very well eatisGed, in
deed, with the results OF the coming cam
paign in Virginia. If he can stir up strife
sn our party and make a noisy row and
pose before the northern Republicans as
vsliant champion OF the rights OF the
negro. Then he will be able to cut a
figure at the Republican national conven-
tion. and be In the line OF advancement
70 Office should a Republican, be ELECTED
President. ON. thu Genera understands
o thing or two. and with hin now honest
elections" is the word.