Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-26
IN THE ASHLAND DISTRICT.
Republicans There Think They Have
a Fighting show Against Owens.

Repuohcans There Think They Have
Fighting show Against Owens.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. 1
LOUISVILLE, KY. September .. 1894.
In the language OF a rural newspaper
This appears to be bad year for the res
turn Of the present representatives from
this state to the next Congress" Col.
Breckinridge has been defeated for the
nomination for Congress in the Ashland
district. and his defeat ends the most bit-
ter contest for Office that has ever oc.
CURED In Kentucky. Mr.. Breckenridge
made the greatest and most brilliant race
on record. In spite Of the heaviest handicap
ever worn by mortal man. Those who
glory in his defeat can have nothing but
admiration for the great battle he fought
and all but won.
The candidacy OF Mr. Settle, Il is be.
lieved, really caused the defeat of Col
Breckenridge. 1t is said that IL Settle had
not been on the track. the bulk of the votes
that went to him would have been cast
for Breckenridge. And then, two serious
mistakes were made by Breckenridge on the
eve OF the primary; the attempted gag-law,
passed by the committee, and the personal
attack upon Owens, when IL was thought
to be too late for reply to reach the peo-
pie.
The democratic committee Of the district
adopted rule disqualifying every person
whose vote was challenged from particle
pating In the primary election, unless he
made oath that he would support the nom-
inee. This action of the committee was
dictated by the followers OF Breckenridge.
After the election Breckenridge alleged
fraud, aud printed a manifesto, in which
he expressed a determination to contest
before the district committee which met
to officially declare the result The Courier
Journal printed this document, under such
headlines as The Last Departing Shrek
~ laf+ Had aArran L~wrf l-rla -
Mind Diseased and a Nature Debauched;'.
and said, editorially:
THE most charitable construction to b
put upon all this is that the mar is insane.
and therefore wholly irresponsible. All the
machinery OF the district was in mis- own
hands. All the opportunities for fraudulent
voting were his. That he should dispute the
result can mean nothing except a mind
Col Breckenridge made a strong race, ana,
in the constancy Of his 1000 followers, Ia
Illustrated the strength OF the ties with
which he had bound his people 10 HIM IN
days Of good repute but il is cheering to
note that the majority prize public honor
more than the ability Of any one nan.
or the result. the Bath County PanneP
says; 1T is gratifying that the Bluegrass
region. the seat Of Kentucky culture and
gentility, has even by a narrow margin
denied this man the recognition he sought
hypocrisy, and his own disregard of all de-
cency. both at home and in the national
capital"
The Webster County Record makes this
comment: I'VE doubt not the whole country
Is gratified at the result and hope that
breckenridge, with his long category OF
abuses upon the people OF his district and
state may find undisturbed rest in the gloom
OF oblivion into which he has evidently been
consigned. Let the social and political grave,
prepared by his own hand forever claim the
wreck OF the man We all once loved and
honored."
THE result shows cave ,ha xr..a,-
County Independent. that In this Christian
land good men ana good women are a rover
In politics. and they can, when they will,
pull down vice from the highest places. and
bar it out from public Office"
On the other hand. the jacksonville
Hustler" contains this expression: "wfli
Owens friends In the Ashland district
claim that the nomination of that gentle-
man redeems the good name Of the Blue-
grass country. II one-half the sins laid to
the door OF the Scott county man be true.
II is redemption that does rot redeem"
The Robertson county Advance addss
I'VE don't say that those who voted in the
Ashland district should not support Owens.
but IL We were among them. IL would be
the worst pill We ever swallowed"
The Lexington Press, Breckinridge's or,
gan, while ''depioring the bitterness and
personal hates engendered by the most un-
fortunate contest that has ever afflicted
any people, and conceding to all the best
and highest motives in what they did," ap-
peals to the citizens OF the Ashland dis
trict ito lay aside their differences once
and for all. and to address themselves to
the task Of restoring peace to a peace-lov.
ing community"
Col. Mcdowell. one OF the most esteemed
citizens of the district, announces that un-
der no circumstances win he be the repub.
Jean candidate for Congress now. He SAYS
that while there was a possibility Of Breci<-
inridges nomination he was a possible
candidate. but not now.
Judge Geo. Denny. who viii be the re-
publican nominee, is a lawyer OF Lexings
ton, well known and quite popular. The
recent trouble In the democratic ranks has
encouraged the republicans to believe that
they have a fighting show in the race, not
withstanding the district il ordinarily DEM
ocratic by 1000. and will, IL the democrats
poll the strength displayed in the late
primary, be even greater. Mr.. Owens has
10 reason to feel uneasy over his pros
poets. and probably does not. O. A ].