The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-26
YELLOW FEVER In POLITICS.
Or. LUKE BLACKBURNS CANVASS FOR
GOYERNOR OF KENTUCKY.

How the Late Epidemic Seems I.ik ely To
Make a Governor - a Candidate whom
Many People Admire and some Laugh nt.
LOUISVILLE KY, Jan. ls.-It has been
fory years or more since Dick Menefee. called
I" the silver-tongued." and tho late Judge Rob
ertson were opposing candidates for Congress
In tho district now represented by 10 Black
burn. Mcnofeo was especially popular with tho
young people. Young himself and handsome.
with voice that atorward charmed Congress-
and a great crowd Of visitors to liston to him
through n speech that lasted all one afternoon
and far into tho night. he expected to get tho
vote OF every young fellow that had sweet
heart and every married man whose wife had
vet influence over him. So no tarriod long
in Lexington before taking the stump against
cis rather elderly competitor. But whom at last
10 went up into the hills. no was amazed to find
that tho Judge had developed popularity that
bado fair to carry him into Congress with II
rush. Even the girls wero throwing all tho
weight Of their influence in favor Of the gray
haired lawyer.
Mencfoo couldn't mako II all out Robertson
didn't seem TO BIO making any speeches. and tho
voters could not or would not give reason for
their change Of faith. Menefoe made ringing
speeches In half dozen school houses and
from score OF improvised stands; the people
came to hear him. listened with great attention.
but wouldn't promise him their votes. Thon
The young orator interviewed tho Judge him
self: And how the devil do you manage It.
Robcrtson2" said he but the Judge only
laughed Mt him.
That night Mcncfec was hidden to n party IN
tho ncighborhood and went He was a little
late and. rs he entered the door. there was
Judge Robertson. perchod on the back OF a
chair. iildling away like mad, with tho lads and
lassics dancing merrily 20 the music over
the sandcd floor. The secret was out.
But Dick was equal to the occasion. Hedldnt
know how 10 fiddle. but he could dance with the
best foot in Kentucky. After his first roel-and
he picked out the prctticst girl ihtho room-ho
Sat down beside his partner, where they had a
good view OF the Judge. still nddiing for the
noxt set. The Judge WAS loit-handed.
Robertson does fiddle well. and no mistake"
said Dick 10 his fair companion; but you
ought 10 hear him when he lddes with his
right hand. Now up here / suppose. he thinks
that left-handod music will do: but down in
Lexington he wouldn't think Of such thing A.
playing with his left hand Between Lexing-
ton and the hill counties there was great jcal-
ousy. and Dicks poisoned arrow struck home.
Of course the story spread. not only through
that nciglborhood but t. every precinct in tn
hill countess and Dick was elected 10 Congress
by n great majority.
This old story illustrates what success
In Kentucky politics most often is-a mat
Ter OF sentiment, the enjoyment Of joke. the
faculty Of telling a good story In owen
County they are still voting for John C. Breckin-
ridge for President. because that gentleman
named son Owen" anor the county had
given him the majority that secured his first
election TO Congress. Eycn II Proctor Knott
wcrc not an able lawyer. his Duluth
speech viii send him back to Washington
hs often a. he wants 10 60: and Albert Willis
was returned from this metropolitan strict last
November mainly because the people thought
his competitor acted unfairly to Willis IN
announcing himself ms II candidate and begin
Mug an active canvass while Willis was still In
Washington. and WAS thus unable to get al
even start In politics. in horse racing.
Kentucky demands fair play.
1t was q Joke that is said 10 have given Doctor
Luke T. Blackburn. brother OF the present Con-
gresham from the Ashland District his first
idea OF becoming Governor OF Kentucky. The
Doctor is n great-iramed. generous. whole
hearted gentleman. who likes above all things
TO get the laugh on his friends and he has man
nerisms that give Thorn ample chance to
laugh at him in return. Three years ago
there was bitter contest iortho gubernatorial
nomination boy three very equally matched can
didates. On the day that the Convention met /,
was thought very lkely that all three would bc
dropped ia the interest OF harmony and an en-
urely now man takcn up and Tut through.
About noon that day. Basil Duke. who was John
Morgan clicf Of STAFF Col. Jilson Johnston
Henry Wa,terson. editor 90 tho Courier Journal
Dick Wintersmrh--w whom everybody knows
and half "a dozen other gentlemen who knew the
Doctor we'll and perhaps had all been the vie
Inns Of his practical Joking met as il by accident
In the Gait House and gathered around the par
ncular chair in the rotunda which he affected
"A lew minute, later lau1a1
telegram 10 Cob Johnston.
BY Joyc. Luke. said ho. look at this"
The despatch was dnted Frankfort. ana read:
Tsyn.a' . J,tn.n.a. P,,a',i,'1, Gah Ba,,,.
sn. sold vote to Luke blackburn the hero Of Mem
oh. nousens," said the Doctor; Pm no
politician -" but the party was near the room
where Kcntucky's chief product is dealt in. and
hey gave tho Doctor chcery congratulations on
The honor done him. They had returned 10
meir seats but moment when Col. Johnston
was handed another telegram. Ten Of Viii
liams's men have gone over to Blackburn There
Is a perfect Juror for him. II this goes on ho'n
be nominated with rush" A few minutes
later this telegram camo:
Williams has withdrawn IN favor Of Blackburn. Hen
rtN on the next ballot
Then this:
Ne as, sssn nominated Sy acelamaon Telegraph
or course there was moro rejoicing. and the
Doctor after much persuasion. thought. il his
wife didn't object. no might authorize his
friends to consent. But he wanted an hour to
mink about It.
Somehow these friends melted away out Of
he Gait House almost before the Doctor had
reached tho foot OF the stairs and when he
same down half nm hour lUt"r not one of thcm
WIS 10 Ice found. The siiuat On began to dawn
On him. II is snid that Col Johnston had 10
ncate his ho,vl for three days nnd 20 to Nush-
vilH. ana thht the other gentlemen were missed
about t"Wh Tor not lehs than a week afrrwRrd.
However AL tliis may be- AMI whether the
loko did nut the iica into the Doctors head or
p'h ar .nlly 81 the opinion thnt DQc'or uko
!iAew.se II half score Of othertcrrible yellow
lever cpil"mi's, will, i hs ltNos. bc inpuguratod
Me next Governor Of kentucky. At the Demo-
cratic Convention, o. this county, held in this
eity last week the following prcnnible and reso-
luton were adopted by accnmntiOn:
H""" Ihc people OF tie County OF jefferson have |
never uf- ir claims ~ ANY Ciu<r STAT ofco
ihd ihft - sis throughout thr county im tnt able
LsIns'l GOO hunur our rsicc n,d ell oiulr Dr Luke
T. hat huHtu with substantial evidence thrr nrurr.
luon il TlrctuE nan the standard bearer vi tie
Dunnctuhc IarN Ion lhc office ~ Governor 0 the state
d hcnu ~, 10 be ClcCrd 81 TIE approaching AuFu.t
tFciout ana whereas, Inc eminent uuai
1chuuu- ANA htlts- ~ Or Hlatk uurn hHr.c