Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-07
Malone VIII Tie There.

General Malone announces his purpose
10 revisit Virginia soon. and says he will
attend the Honest Elections" confer
ence at Petersburg on August list.
The purpose OF that conference meets
with his hearty approval, and he declares
that it will be non-partisan in character,
and that no politics will be discussed
there.
The General talks as though he knew all
about the calling of the conference and
felt authorized to forecast it's proceed
ings. That Malone has been consulted
as to this movement by the Popuist
leaders we nave NJ doubt. Furthermore.
his help he will gladly give them. There
never has been a day since 1879 when
Malone was not willing TO spend his
mental ana oodiT strength in splitting
the Democratic party. And for many
years past he has been the open and
ivowed enemy Of Democracy. He isn't
posing as a Populist. or Reformer. or
as anything but a Republican. He will
20 10 the Petersburg conference as
"non-partisan') Republican-the chair
man OF the State Republican Committee!
OF course. he has no faith in the
Democratic party. and no faith in its
purpose to revise the election-laws.
That's all right--for him; but what shall
be said of the Democrats who propose
10 put themselves under his leadership?
Where can they land but in the Repub-
iican camp? 1t viii be in way a repe-
tltion Of the campaign of 1879. but with
this difference we hope and believe: Our
methods. Then many well-meaning per-
sons were misled by him. lie called him
self Democrat then. Now. his methods
are known Of all men. and he is the
chairman of the State Republican Com
mittee. and Is fighting hard to maintain
his hold on that organization so as to be
reelected State chairman. and have the
power 10 name the Virginia delegates to
the National Republican Convention next
year.
SO, we all know what Malone is cup to-"
We may be sure that he has no pur-
pose TO advance the Democratic cause in
Virginia. Nor is he "a disinterested adj
wiser of the general public. His career
In the United States Senate shows that
he is an average Republican politician
nothing more; nothing less.
Our people would be the greatest fools
imaginable If they were to follow Ma
home in this new movement; this Hon
est Elections" party" All the changes
that should be made in our election-laws
can be made. and VIII be made, by the
Democratic party The Governor OF
this State is a Democrat. 1t Is we'll
nigh beyond the range Of possibility that
the State Senate should be nythlng but
Democratic-so many Follower" Demo
cratic senators are there. And. as for
the House OF Delegates. we can only lose
II by monumental stupidity or folly. SO.
whatever changes in the election-laws are
now sought must be sought at the hands
Of the Democrats
In good time the. Walton law will be
revised and amended by the Democrats
In our belief the people want the frame
work OF that law TO stand. while details
Of II are adjusted in accordance with
the experience that we have acquired and
In conformity with the wishes OF the
intelligent masses Of the State.
II would be stupendous folly for the
Democrats OF Virginia TO divide on this
question. and We do not believe that they
are going 10 do it--General Mahones coax
Ing and coaching to the contrary, not
aithstandlng