Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1891-04-17
w. p. WALTON.
EIGHT PAGES.
A Private Word With Democrats.

The race for auditor of State seems tC
have narrowed down to Richard G. War
rem and the present incumbent, Mai
Norman. If we may judge by the utter
ances OF our exchanges, this race now ri
walls in interest that for governor There
is reason for it, too. A deep-seated and
sullen distrust on the part of the people
respecting the past administration ofthis
Office gives to the contest over it an in
terest beyond its intrinsic Importance.
We mean to be plain about this matter,
for plain speaking is badly needed. We
shall try also not to be offensive.
Twelve years ago Gen. Fayette Hewitt
was elected auditor by the Kentucky
democracy. At the close of the term he
was reelected and again at the close OF
this second term. During this time Maj
Norman, the present auditor an | csndi.
date. was in the office at the head OF its
most important bureau, the closest friend,
the most trusted and best paid lieuten-
ant of his chief. During this time, also,
Honest Dick" Tate was treasurer OF the
State and engaged in lesurely and safe
ly pillaging the treasury. The history
of that shameful episode does not need
20 be repeated. Before the close OF his
third term Gen. Hewitt thought it adj
visable to resign the office. lie did so
only in name. His friend and right
bower, Mai. Norman, by a stipulation
made beforehand, was appointed to fill
out his term. His brother, Virgil Hew-
lit, was made the assistant auditor. The
old force of clerks, agents, &c, were re-
tanned, with but one or two exceptions.
1t is to-day practically the Hewitt ad- |
ministration. 1t will remain so the next
term, if Maj. Norman is retained. We
have no stones to throw at Fayette Hew-
it, But the highest court in our State,
in the cases OF the Commonwealth VS..
Tate and his sureties, has said OF his adj
ministration that but for culpable neg
lect of duty in the auditors office the
Tate robbery could not have been posi-
BILE. Neither have we any stones to
throw at Mai. Norman, but he is wear
ing the old clothes of Gen. Hewitt, and
they smell OF fire and Dick Tate. The
urgent need, the universal wish for
general overhauling, sweepingand clean
ingof this office, has not served even as
a hint to the Dynasty" Twelve years
at the public trough has in no wise APP
Tf, ht,n m ira
what spectacle do We now behold The
Office abandoned to the janitor and the
rats, while the whole ships crew of {
clerks, auditors agents and what not, I
drawing all the while their g to $40 per &
diem, are careering gayly over the State I
on free passes and bawling, each OF them, {
at every crossroads. "a vote for Nor '
man is vote for vested rights and for
ME-" I
The plain people are sick OF it. The a
party is being put to the a
blush by it. Plainly, it has started a t
small breeze. Let the party managers, r
little and big, see to it lest what is now 4
but a healthful breeze OF private senti- /
nent should swell into a cyclone OF pub /
ic wrath. Our old democratic craft is I
not assured of smooth sailing in any case. b
Il may fare all the better il we keel haul
t and scrape off the barnacles. Already
i'll persons" are whispering
iarkly about the late Grim. con. at Frank p
ort and seeking to father the months
bastard on the Great Unterritied. The '
,arty, praise the Lord, is stout both of a
heart and loins, but two such burdens 7
IS the new constitution and plundered L
reasury would break the back of Atlas. iC