Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-05
The Kentucky Elections.

The ratification OF the new Constitution
of Kentucky could not we'll have been
matter OF surprise 70 anybody who UNDER
stands the methods OF the multitude. We
put ourselves on record on this point some
two months ago. expressing then the opin-
ion that despite the great show OF hostility
70 the new Constitution its ratification was
probable enough. the people being notori-
Ously fond of trying experimentsin iegisla-
ton, whether these are 10 be made IN the
form OF organic law or Of statute law. And
this fact will suggest to the Alliance men In
Virginia that they may be able to protit by
that trait of American human-Dature which
day before yesterday caused the people OF
Kentucky to ratify one Of the most extra
ordinary constitutions which ever came
from the hands of constitutional conven-
ton. In some Of the States the Alliances
no, some OF the Alliances and Alliance
men-propose for adoption by the people
some of the most iniudlcious and de-
etructive- not TO say disastrously ruinous-
measures which have ever originated IN
the human mind. However, we will not
indulCe the fear that the voters OF Virginia
will be led astray by any one or more OF
these wild schemes. Sufficient unto the
dav is the evil thereof"
There were four tickets in the field in
'SKentucky last Monday: but the contest
for State Offices. such as il was. TUNED ont
TO be between the two old parties as gen.
'eral rule. OF course this remark does not
apply 10 the division Of the voters on the
question Of ratifying the Constitution.
which commanded o majority IN every
county In the State. The Peoples party.
though assisted 10y the Republicans. made
poor show of strength.
Shrewd men. it is evident. are the Al
Glance men in Kentucky; for they devoted
their efforts, not to the election of Gov
erpor or other State Offices. but TO the one
object Of gaining the control of the Legis-
)ature We are told that they will proba-
DIV have practical control Of that body.
and so will control the revision of the laws
which will Of course follow as O natural
consequence of the adoption of O new
Constitution In a word the Alliance men
intend TO have hand IN the work of con-
STRUNG the new Constitution: and as this
work Of constituting is sometimes almost
equal to the work of framing q new law
or q new Constitution. the Alliance men
must be credited with having acted wisely
in combining their efforts to the securing of
control Of the Kentucky Legislature. That
this result will not be lost upon the ALI
ance-men of Virginia the Democrats of this
State NAV confidently expect.
In only few instances did the Alliance
gun candidates against the Democratic
nominees. This. too, was sound policy.
A new party holding the balance of power
and standing ready to strengthen which,
ever of the nominees Of the old parties will
carry out their principles is much stronger
than such party endeavoring to force its
own men INTO every official position. In
pursuance of this policy the Alliances even
obtained control of the Democratic nomi-
aating conventions. They began their
work where il would show for itself. So,
"whilst the Leg stature will be nominally
Democratic. il Will have strong Alliance
affiliations aud tendencies" The Alliance
men will thus themselves interpret the
features of the new Constitution, which
are antitrust and anti-corporation. as well
Us those features providing for railroad
commission. 1t must be added that in
few instances the Alliances nominated and
elected their own candidates for the Legis-
lature.
The results of the Kentucky elections,
though they are just as We have stated
chem, will in other States strengthen the
Alliances rather than the Democratic party.
Tbey will be interpreted as proving that
wherever the Alliances made fight they
won q victory. However this may be,
we must oil admit that the Democrats of
Virginia will have important elections
next November. The Legislature which
will then be chosen ought to be made the
eblest that has assembled in Richmond
Tor thirty years.