Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-10-06

GINA at that time, when his party had
control of the State.
But let us draw the veil for a time
at least over that scene, let us come
down to the days when Malone got
control. In this carnival of crime, and
unholy alliance, we know where he
was. Here we find him chosen by them
to high office, endorsed then by Col.
Slemp, by Col. Allen, by Mr.. John
Acker, all as thick as Cherry and Brin-
die, all pulling together for what 7
For better government; for pure ad
ministration; for a settlement of the
race question; for the elevation Of
Virginia.; for the true and lasting glO-
ry of the nation; for a happier state
socially, for a healing of the wounds
made by the war; for the advancement
OF education; for better laws; for hap
pier relations between the classes. for
lower taxes Let their actions and
the record of the times be the answer.
1t is not for us to accuse any one sing
ly, but the party generally of which
these men were conspicuous members.
Had any of these men who were then
prominent, and who are today making
the welkln ring with laudations of the
Republican party, raised voice against
the iniquities of that dark and dis.
graceful period. we would give them
credit, aye we would set their light
upon a candlestick that it might be
seen of men. Did they, or any one of
them oppose negro jurles, or seek to
justify men like Judge Griffin of Roam
Oke and others who were prosecuted
because they had not placed negroes
On juries
Did they, or any of them, oppose the
appointment of negro trustees for the
white public schools in Richmond,
whose duty it was to have charge over
white female teachers
Did they, or any of them, say word
against the infamous Judge Mays of
Botetourt, a creature of Malone, in bis
conduct of the affairs of his court
Did they, or any of them, say ought
when a negro handed Malone polite
ian cOwhide to use upon weak white
man in political quarrel in Freder-
icksburg?
Did they, or any of them, do ought
but aid as best they could an effort to
district the State SO as to give negro
supremacy in all parts of 1t
DO they, and all of them. not know
that they reJoiced when in Elizabeth
City county q negro sheriff, commits
sioner of the revenue, and large
number of negro constables and JUS.
tices Of the peace wert elected
Do they not know that bank note
company got about $4,000 of Virginia
funds at one time and nobody was held
accountable through the Malone
courts
do they not know that penitentiary
convicts were, under Malone, restored
to the electorate, who had been by rea-
son of their crimes cut off :
All these and thousands of other
things for the time gone from the
memory of our people, have taken
place In Virginia under Republican
rule. Thousands of others would have
taken place had they not been stopped
in their mad career, because they were
being enacted with inconceivaDle ra-
pidity. All these things took place
with Judge Lewis at1ilating with the
party enacting them, with Col Allen,
Col. Slemp, Mr.. Ohm Acker and many
other prominent Republicans active
in the Malone movement, hand in
glOve with all that was done aud
seemingly ready to do more. We ask
in all seriousness, IF these men did
these things then, how Can we trust
them now? Will We turn down such
men as the Democrats have offered,
men who haYe been and Cali be trusted
and go over to party of men who,
when they had power, abused it and
Inundated the white people, sacked
the treasury, and piled actual and pc
litical crime mountain high 7" The
issue is grave one. The Republican
party in Virginia cannot be trusted.
Its Dast record has convicted IT, il il
unworthy and should be declared So by
telling rebuke at the polls.