Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1895-08-07
MahOne's NOn-Partisan Patriots.

1t is rather odd that with all of his
diplomatic experience Col. j. Hampton
Hoge should have let General Mahone's
cat out of the nOn-pal tisan-partyb bag
as he did in Petersburg on Thursday
night.
Malone in speaking to his audience
of Republicans and POpulists was care
fnl to explain that the honest injun
movement was a mon partisan" move
ment; but Colonel Hoge, in the ardor
of his admiration for the great men
present, let slip the observation that
what General Malone, General Walk
er, and Mr.. Hobson could not do to
beat the Democratic party was not
worth knowing"
There is an irreconcilable conflict be
tween what Malone said and what
Hoge said. Right here at the outset
the non-partisan politicians fail to
agree in language, but we know that
they are at one in purpOse-both being
bent on defeating the Democratic par
ty, if we will only go to sleep at our
posts and let them.
So far was the Petersburg conference
from being non partisan body that it
was the most intensely partisan collec-
ton of politicians that we have seen in
few exception, all those present had
grievances against the Democratic par
ty. Nearly all the conferrees are men
who have vainly sought office at the
hands of the Democrats. Nothing could
be mare farcical than that they should
pose as disinterested or unselfish patri-
OTIS Bah
With here and there an exception,
thew are men of Republican antece
dents, or men who have unsuccessfully
sought office in our party. And now
they are nightly concerned about a
free ballot and a fair count so much so
that through the fundamentally of
General Malone they have presented
us with a substitute for the Walton law
The Billy Malone bill. offered as
substitute for the Walton law, is sub
stantally the same law that prevails in
several States north of the Potomac.
If we could hold constitutional con-
vention and amend our suffrage article
SO as to rid ourselves of the dangerous
class of voters that we have amongst
us, the Malone plan might do very
we'll. indeed; but, as things now stand,
the Malone bill is not such bill as
Virginia or any other Southern States
would or should enact into law.
All Oulb mduOu0 we'll huOWS. no b
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,
aud Malone wishes to figure in it. Who
knows but that he may secure an office
should the Republicans come into pow
err? At any rate, it is a prize that he
thinks is well worth trying for. And
how could he better bring himself into
prominence than by leading fight for
flair elections" If there is anything
in the demand for fair elections, tie
demanders would succeed better with
out than with Mahone's leadership, and
this he doubtless understands; but he
also knows that in such a movement as
that no prize would come to him.
Malone will be very we'll satisfied. in
deed, with the results of the coming
campaign in Virginia, if he can stir up
strife in our party and make a noisy
row and pose before the northern Re
publicans as valiant champion of the
rights of the negro. Then he will be
able to cut a figure at the Republican
national convention, and be in the line
of advancement to office, should Re-
publican be elected President. Oh, the
General understands thing or two,
and with him now "honest elections"
is the word.-Richmo'ad Dispatch.