Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-12-09
Hon. John E. Massey

Hon. John E. Massey.
Mr.. Massey was last week defeated
for Superintendent of Public 1nstruc
tion and thus was removed from office
possibly the most remarkable man
who has appeared on tie forum
in Virginia within the last two dec
AIDES. His defeat was unexpected and
caused more surprise than any act yet
performed by the present Legislature
His long and intimate connection with
the politics Of Virginia had led himself
and his followers to believe he would
not, in fact could not he defeated. He
may have been too confident and thus
have overlooked some advantages.
But let that be as it may he was no or
binary adversary. He sprung into no
tice when readjustment OF the state
debt became vital question, and it is
useless to deny that his presentation
OF that question did more to convert
public opinion to his theories, and So
lidify it than all Malone ever did,
thought, or said. Mr.. Massey and Ma
hone were Numerically opposite in
their designs and in their influences
over men they had Numerically diff
ferent followings, their party plans diff
fered as the poles, hence, when the
great object of readjusting the state
debt obtained, they had nothing furth-
er in common and they parted to meet
no more.
The following of Mr.. Massey was the
law abiding self respecting branch of
the readjuster party, those who wanted
q burden OF oppression lifted fron the
state, and good government preserved.
Those who followed Malone were the
spoilsmen, the revolutionists, the
fawners, who cared nothing for the
result so they temporarily triumphed
and received their immediate demands
and rewards. Mr.. Massey was the
leading spirit, in fact the force which
broke Mahone's power in Virginia
and which rendered it impossible for
him to ever execute the deep and dark
designs he had upon the white people
OF this State. In return for this blast
ing OF the Malone regime the Demo-
Gratis of Virginia honored him, and he
served them well. He had, however,
made bitter and unrelenting enemies,
and thus his every action was watched,
the honesty of his purpose denied on
many occasions, hostile Republican
press goaded him in season and out OF
season, but he kept the even tenor of
his way, and as Auditor he lifted the
State out of the slough of oespond. as
Superintendent of Public Instruction
he has put the schools on a high plane.
No Auditor ever found the finances of
State in worse condition, none ever
! wrought more statutory changes.
AS defender of his principles as
debater, as a perfect master of the
facts on which he relied for the faith
that was in him, we doubt If Virginia
has had his equal in many years.
Augusta owed him something. A few
years ago combination formed to
wrench the control of this county from
the Democratic party. Some foreign
material was shipped in, a few gentle
men who combined some very doubt
full religious views with some far more
doubtful politics, and still more doubt
full methods, were imported "for cam
paign purposes" an. money flowed
like water. Mr.. Massey heard our cry
of distress, and came to our relife. He
met this peculiar importation as no
other man could, and rendered. servi-
ces which we could have had rendered
by no one else. In the election
which followed the influences he COM
batted were overthrown. and have dis
appeared we trust forever. It was q
grave question as to whether Mr..
Massey ought to have been defeated,
but it pleased the Legislature to select
another, and the friends of Mr.. Massey
and he himself, will bow gracefully to
their action, knowing that such are
the fortunes which sooner or later fall
20. the lot of those who rely upon the
public to show gratitude or remember
obligations.