Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-25
THE KENTUCKY SENATORSHIP
What the Announcement Of Representative
Berry's Candidacy Really Means.
1t is to Drnw Votes From Blackburn
Secretary Carlisle May Step In
at the Critical Moment.

Considerable significance Is attached to
the announcement that Representative Ber-
ry is to become a candidate for the sena-
torship Of Kentucky against Senator Black
burn. 1t is not believed that Mr.. Berry has
any hope of being elected, but that his can
didacy is intended to draw votes away from
Blackburn. The latter has been making a
vigorous campaign, and his personal popu-
larity gave him support in quarters where
his financial views are not approved Of 1t
is the practically unanimous declaration of
Kentuckians who have recently visited
Washington that his prospects have so
much improved during his canvass that his
friends are perfectly confident, and the
popular impression is that he has practi-
cally won his fight. The gold democrats.
who are fighting him because Of his disa-
greement with the administration, are not
willing to accept the situation, but, inde-
pendently of the aspiration of any man Of
their own factions are determined If pos
sible yet to accomplish his defeat
Blackburn Now in the Lead.
The belief is that no candidate now in the
field can defeat him. Earlier in the contest
a great effort was made to induce Secretary
Carlisle to enter the contest, but the situa-
tion was not such as to render this practi-
cable, whatever Mr.. Carlisle's inclinations
might be. It is thought, however, that the
friends Of Carlisle have not abandoned the
hope that he may be brought in at the
critical moment to snatch the election from
Blackburn. In the primaries the Senator
has the lead to such an extent that If the
candidates for the legislature are elected
as usual he will be reasonably sure Of re-
election. The opposition are not content to
have the contest settled in the primaries,
but expect to make determined fight after
the legislature Is elected, however favorable
to Blackburn it may appear. By keeping
an< <hu1rY in hn of nd nf fha
leading candidate among a great number,
the situation may admit of Carlisles name
being brought in for the first time after the
legislature meets.
A Friend of Carlisle.
Mr. Berry is one of Secretary Carlisle's
most intimate friends His candidacy may
draw OF a few votes from Blackburn that
could not be captured by any candidate in
the field His entering the field indicates
that there is no disposition on the part Of
the opponents of Blackburn to give up the
fight, and it points significantly to Mr.. Car
isle 1t means that a great many things
may yet happen before the fight is over,
and it may be that the worst of the strug-
gle is yet to come. The election of a silver
governor of Kentucky Is not matter of
nearly as much consequence to the ad-
ministration as the election Of a Senator
who will have vote in Congress to cast
in opposition 20 the administration policy.
Mr.. Cleveland is seeking to overthrow the
silver rower in the Senate. To gain Sem
ator from Kentucky is important to him,
and the Endorsement of his financial policy
by the Kentucky democratic convention is
of little value to him If the man elected to
the Senate is free silver leader.
Other Candidates Expected.
The announcement of Mr.. Berry's candi-
dacy will probably be followed by others. It
is probable that every administration man
who can on personal grounds count on the
support of any legislative candidate who
would otherwise go to Blackburn will avow
himself a candidate. Men who have no
thought Of being elected to the Senate will
probably go in to draw one man here and
enc there from support of Blackburn. 1t
is believed that they hope in this way to
bring about a condition of affairs which
would warrant Carlisle's permitting the use
of his name, and which might result in his
election. Berry's intimacy with Carlisle
and the circumstances of his entering the
field as candidate gives color to this the
ory of the intentions Of the administration
men.