The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-15
OWENS AHEAD.
Indications That the Contest
Will be Close.
In the Ashland District Pri-
maries Today.
O w u NJ s. L. M EH A IN nj ~
OWENS Is LEADING
In Some of Breckinridge's
ctrOnghoIds.
Women at Home Praying For
Breckinridge'S Defeat.

LEXINGTON, Ky, Sept 15.-The prima-
~ Democratic election in this congress
ional district. which ends today, has been
one Of the bitterest political contests in
American history. For months the con-
test has waged. Every hamlet, every
rostrum and pulpit. every hill and dale
in the district has resounded with charges
and counter charges, with appeals for
sympathy and appeals for retribution.
w. c. Owens. considered the man most
likely to defeat Breckinridge in the Ash
land district. is native Of Scott county,
Kentucky, one Of the wealthiest in the
blue grass region and has lived there all
his life. He is A years old and unmar-
ried. He is a graduate Of the Columbia
law school Of the class of 1872.
Two years later he began his political
career in q successful race for county at
torney Of Scott county. He resigned this
Office and wa sent TO the legislature for
i've consecutive terms. He was one of
the most influential members of the
house and was speaker at the session Of
185I-S2.
lie was q Democratic elector for his
district in 1880 and IA delega e from the
state at large to the national Democratic
convention at Chicago in 1892, being
chosen emDorary chairman of that body
He first ran for congress against
Joseph Q. Blackburn in 1882, and has for
some years been looked upon as the next
in line whenever Breckinridge should be
retired
1t is claimed By some Owens men that
even Settle does not hope to be nomin-
ated. but expects to divide the opposi-
ton to Breckinridge's nomination and so
bring about the latter's success OF
course this Is Indignantly denied by Mr.
Settle and his friends.
Opening of the Polls.
The polls opened at 2 d. N for the
most holly contested primary election
ever known in this congressional dis
trict or any other Kentucky district. if
not in the country The candidates for
the Democratic nomination are w. c. p.
ljreckinridge of Lexington, w. @. Owens
of Georgetown, and Evan Settle Of Ow-
eutOn, who have been speaking at all
points in the eight counties fer months.
During the past few weeks the contest
has been very bitter and within the past
forty-eight hours charges have been
made by candidates against their oppo-
nents which many predict will vet result
in q resort to the code, or bloodshed and
some one killed
The primary election will name the
nominee. but it is feared that it will not
settle some other issues. Besides the
feeling between Contestants, lifelong
friends and neighbors are at swords
points
Wives aud mothers and others are ap-
prehensive that those they love may be-
come involved in serious conflicts be-
fore the polls close at 4 D. m today
Some ladies' are taking a more active
part and are out eIecjiOneering against
Breckinridge- Many are at the PRAYER
meetings called for supplications duriug
the election of the protection and honor
of homes, etc, but most of the female
supplicatiOns are at home
lhe ministers and churchmen are CO.
operating with the women in their can
Vass Tor THE promotion of hOnors."
BrecEinridge's Organization.
While there have been all sorts Of
moral and other movements against
Breckinridge, he and his friends have
maintained perfect organization
throughout the district and thev lined M
like veteran politicians every where at
the opening or the polls.
The federal officers. distillers, railroads
and other powerful interests are with
Breckinridge. All whom he has favor
"a during his ten years service in con-
gress are fighting hard for him. Sena-
tors Lindsay at Frankfort aud Black
burn at Versailles, both residents of the
district, are quietly but earnestly against
BrecklnrIdge, but the ward and town pol-
iticians are with the congressman.
Tho district is composed of Bourbon.
tayette, Franklin. Henry, Oldham. Owen
Scott and Woodford counties.
As tne returns from many voting
places must be carried long distances on
horseback to telegraph offices, if the re-
suit Is close it is not likely that the sue
eesaful nominee will be known before
Monday The headquarters of Breckin-
ridge and Owens are both here Settles
neauquarters are at Owenton As the
brecklnridge people have the more per
tecA organization as well as the machine.
they propose not to sleep until thew
kno" the result It is charged that they
have used the party machinery in the
canvass and will do so to the last
The ruling Of the district committees i,
challenging those suspected Of not sun-
porting the nominee is keeDiuv many
Democrats from the polls. and it il also
causing bad blood. The fact that nan1-
bets have been made on both sides = I'll
50 having a tendency to intensity the
bitterness.
Y to noon today there has been intense
suppressed excitement, but general GOOD
order here In some precincts chal-
lenge5 have been numerous but few
Votes have been refused. The most mo-
IaDie exception was Prof. A. ". Gordon
of Allegan Academy. a confederate
soidler' whose Intention to support the
nominee was challenged and who re-