Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-07-14
THE PROHIBITION CANDIDATE.
Judge Fox's Speech on Friday.


to small audience in the Court
House last Friday afternoon. He
was introduced by Judge II. Il. Pc
tree. lie began by expressing regret
that he came as stranger to the peo-
pie of IIopkinsville. He proclaimed
himself the candidate OF the Prohi-
bilion party, though he had always
been Democrat and did not surren-
der his democracy when he joined
the Prohibition standard to promote
the interest of better order and
better enforcement Of the law.
lie stated that he would first dis
cuss the affairs of the State and show
the need of reform. 1t was announc-
ed at the close of McCreary's term
that there was money in the Treas
ury. Gov. Blackburn went into of
flee and in four months it was pub
lished to the world that Kentucky
was 100000 in debt. This has never
been contradicted. You do not
know whether it is true or not, nor
do you know how much the State
owes if in debt. You do know
though that you have paid taxes
regularly and that they have been
increasing every year. Formerly
the State had II sources of revenue.
Now all are gone but two. Your
railroad bonds, bank stock, turnpike
stock, Green river stock all are gone
leaving no trace behind. Democrat
ic party has been in office since 1851
and is responsible for this state of
affairs. AS Il Democrat myself !
want reform. What is our debt /?
We do not know. The last Legisla-
ture passed this law:
"That the Governor, Auditor and
Treasurer be and they are hereby
authorized TO fund the debt of $780,
600 now owing by the State to the
banks TOR which amount they may
issue bonds of such duration and
bearing such a rate of interest not
exceeding 5 per cent, as may be
found to nc to the best interest OF
the State" 1t took effect i'll April,
1884. ......
This law is adriotly drawn, evil
IDENTIFY by skillful hand-it docs
not state what is the exact amount
of the entire State debt, nor does it
authorize that debt to be funded. 1t
simply admits that the State owes
the banks 100000, but how much
more it does not state. Why did il
mot state the amount? You. have be-
lieved that you were free of debt.
Your State expenses have been ill.,
creased and so also have your taxes,
You have thought that your taxes
paid your expenses. You are great
ly mistaken. 1t is known that you
are in debt at least 100000. How
much more YOU do not know. Who
borrowed this vast sum from the
banks, and where and for what pur'
pose and upon whose authority?
That 100000 must be paid at ma
turity by direct taxation. What il
the cause of this deficit? One caust
is acknowledgement. Here is an in
stance: These bonds were author.
lied Apr. 1884, but were not sold I'M
til June 1885 and all this time thu
debt was drawing interest. VIII!
were they not issued year ,belort
and $4,000 saved to the State. Thu
federal government has paid us ~,
100000 and that too has vanished
into thin air. Every resource is gonC
but our debts stick like wax. l sa!
to-day that Kentucky is bankrupt.
Accounts for $25 are filed and wal
= their turn like customers i'll barber
shop. Ask your county officers j
this is not true. Bad legislation la
caused it. | give you sample. Tn
Legislature of 81 passed a law Civ
: ing the Attorney General $40 for eacl
, case argued before the Court of APP
peals, for which he was paid salary
There is need of reform. This wa
: the cry last year and it is still the cry
: this time on the other side. Ii is til
Democratic OK now being gored.
If our financial affairs are in ba
condition, the administration of ju,
tice i'll some portions of the Stale is i
= worse state. There is war in Rowan
blood flowing like water in Knot
murder stalking in broad daylight
personifled, on the highways in Be
and Letcher.
But our Governor appears upo
= the scene of combat, and peace is dc
g clarcd through compact unde
which the factions were to stop kill
ing and learn war 10 more. The
S were to stop killing the citizens of til
State, and the Governor woul
forgive the past. This agreemen
translated in plain English can be:
be illustrated by all incident whic
occurred in this State. Two very oil
lawyers were trying a case before
Judge young enough to have bee
, the son of either. During the tris
I high words were constantly passe
, which the young Judge had tried nc
to hear, until at last the lie was give
o when blows were about to be strucl
and the Judge looked up much sui
) prised and said: "Well, boys, if 20
Q don't stop quarrelling and be goo
boys l will take your marbles ava
+ and you shan't play any more" Gu
accomplished Governor left the seen
under the soft delusion that the boy
t would cease to play, but they bega
again as soon as Gov. Knott had rt
, tired within the executive mansion
. enjoy his lettered ease-tell hi
regular daily anecdote. And when
: ever one of these festive gamestel
: played with his marbles the leade
. messenger of death, held upon il
target by the practisod aim of Ker
lucky marksman, sent another huma
I soul to eternity, uhannounced an
= uncalled for into the presence Oft
Maker, its judge, its God; anothe
wife was made a widow, anothe
family of children turned into hell
less orphans.
What do we pay our Governor for
TO form compacts with murderers
c TO abdicate his authority at the foC
9 of crime?
The soldiers have marched
Morehead and quiet is restored
Rowan. Is it intended to keep the'
soldiers there as permanent police
If not, the quiet is temporary onl
h Nothing can give peace, permanel
peace, but law executed without I,
: spect Of persons. The heavy expens,