The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-12
THE SITUATION MIXED
THE POLITICAL OUTLOOK IN
KENTUCKY ACCORDING TO
MIR. STEALEY.
DIVISION AMONG THE DEMOCRATS


ton. Otherwise he WOuid be Badly
Beaten--Neither Side is Sure of Vic-
tOry--BIackbnrn's Chances for Re-
Election to the Senate are in the
Same Bundle With Hardin's~-The
POpuIists are not In il Little BIT.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. Ito. 0.
Stealey, the Washington correspondent
of the Louisville Courier Journal, has
Just returned from a visit to Kentucky.
His mission was neither professional nor
political, but while in the State he talked
with the leaders of both parties, and
gathered at first hand information bear
ing on the claims and expectations of
both sides.
In conversati on with representative
of the Star Mr.. Stealey said:
The Situation Mixed.
1.-THE situation is confusing even to
the most experienced men. There is
nothing to guide by. The State has never
before known such an upheaval. The
divisions are all with the Democrats.
The republicans are united. But there
are Democrats and Democrats now. The
silver Democrats are, of course, all for
Hardin, and there are sound money
Democrats who will vote for him. But
then there are sound money Democrats
who will not vote for him, and others
who will not only cut him, but will vote
for Bradley. There are all sorts of pre-
dictions as to the result, but then again,
there are men of prominence who pub
licly admit that nothing would surprise
them. A man whose name was canvass
ed in connection with the gubernatorial
nomination on the Democratic sound
money side told me that he was prepared
for 10000 majority either for or against
Hardin; that reports were so conflicting
and threats of revolt so numerous he
was all at sea. He himself will vote for
Hardin"
(which side lost by the breaking eff
of the joint debate between Hardin and
Bradley
Hardin the Loser.
''Hardin was the loser. And there is
a belief in the State that the Republicans
were not only glad of the opportunity to
bring the debate to close, but helped
to raise the disturbance at Eminence
which brought it to close. The negro
question was embarrassing to the Re-
publicans, and Bradley found it difficult
to handle. Discovering this Hardin
forced it to the front every time, and
the immense crowds that would assemble
to hear the two speakers would get the
full benefit of it. Since then Hardin
has been talking to smaller audiences,
and therefore has had smaller opportuni-
ties to use that topic"
What are the Republican claims?"
What the Republicans Expect.
''They expect to carry the State by
about ten thousand. They are expecting
twelve thousand majority in the Eleventh
Congressional District, which has nor
NAL Republican, majority of ten thousand,
and ten thousand In the Fifth, the Louis
vile district. They have hopes likewise
or carrying the Third district, which
usually is close. but last fall gave good
Republican majority. The Louisville dis
trict is the one of most interest. The
Democracy is undoubtedly much embar
raised there. In 1892 Caruth, Democrat,
had five thousand majority for Congress.
In 1894 Evans, Republican, had four
thousand majority. The Republicans are
promising Bradley eight thousand ma
iority in the district. Louisville is the
center Of the sound money detection
from The Democracy, and the situation is
still further aggravated by wrangles over
local Democratic tickets. Hardin has
lust sustained a severe loss in John Whal-
lens reputation of him Whallen is
local leader of great influence with the
BOYS and Hardin will miss him on
election day If the Republicans realize
their expectations, Hardin, in order to
win, will have to poll very heavy vote
in his strongholds.
"What are Blackburn's chances ~
BIackburn's Chances.
'In my judgment they are in the same
bundle with Hardin's chances. If Har
din wins Blackburn will win, and vice
versa. If Hardin is elected he will have
been installed ia Office before the sena-
torial election takes place, and, as gov
ernor, will, of course, exert great lIf1u-
ence. This, Of course, he will throw to
Blackburn, who will benefit by it. Black.
burns claims of present strength, or OF
prospective strength, are not allowed by
the sound money Democrats. Tney
don't believe he will have, at the OUT
side, over thirty five votes to start with.
That will leave him far short Of the
number necessary to control caucus ac-
ton. Some of the nominees for the
legislature favorable to his reelection
will be defe ,ted Some are running in
Republican counties, ard some in coun-
ties where the vote is close and Demo
cratic discussions are rife. He will start
with thirty odd votes, and if Hardin is
elected, the new governors influence
may secure Blackburn the other votes
he'll need"
eff Blackburn loses, who will winl
Mr.. Carlisle9"
Il should rather expect dark horse.
There'll be a good deal of feeling aroused
On the one side will be Blackburn, who,
if not strong enough to win, will still bt