Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-06-27
Kentucky Democrats Will Elimi-
nate It in the State Campaign.
REPUBLICANS FEEL MUCH ENCOURAGED
Senator Blackburn Wants Hardin
to withdraw.
VIEWS OF MANY LEADERS

Special From a Stan Correspondent.
LOUISVILLE, KY. June 27.-The writer
has endeavored since the nomination OF
Gen. Hardin last night to ascertain the
bearing upon the politics of the state of the
anomalous condition of affairs presented in
the overwhelming adoption of a sound
money platform and the equally over
whelmng selection Of radical free silver
candidate to head the state ticket that is to
stand upon that platform. The writer has
talked with the leading men of two fac
tons in the democratic party and the
united republican party. The first fact de-
veloped is this, that the sound money dem
ocrats are disappointed at the selection of a
free silver candidate, but that there will be
no bolting the ticket on that account. The
next fact established is that the free silver
men are very blue over the Endorsement of
the sound money idea, but they are so
much pleased with the big majority of theis
candidate for governor that they feel they
have won something of a victory also, and
are therefore inclined to abide by the plat
form and vote the regular ticket.
They will eliminate the silver question as
Tar as possible from the campaign for the
state ticket, to resume its agitation in the
legislative.
Republicans Encouraged.
The republicans are exceedingly encour-
aged over the anomalous position which
the democratic party now presents. AZ the
congressional elections last November the
total democratic vote exceeded the total
republican vote by only about two thou
sand. They believe that this margin will
be mora than wiped out by the factional
differences among the democrats.
The bearing of the situation upon the
senatorial contest is the subject of consider
able speculation. One element claims that
Senator Blackburn has lost ground by pIac-
ing himself outside the pale of the demo-
cratic party of the state and that he will
have to stultify himself by vacating his
position on silver or give up the fight. His
friends, however, claim that personal popu-
lsrity will pull him through, that every
man in the state who believes in silver
Notwithstanding the declaration of the
party platform, will rush to his support,
and that being now in the position of the
under dog in the fight, he will get the
sympathy of impulsive and warm hearted
kentuckians who might otherwise go
against him.
Senator Lindsay expressed the opinion to
the writer that the democrats will carry
the state, as the position of the republicans
for gold standard will prevent the coali-
ton of the populists with them. this being
the attributed cause of the republican
gains last November.
Mr.. Walter Evans, the republican Con-
gressman-elect from the Louisville district
said: Il believe the republican, can win
an unsound money candidate on n reason
ably sound money platform will not in
spire either the confidence or the respect
of the thoughtful Independent voters
It smacks somewhat of the incongruIty
of the Greeley nomination. The good peo-
pie of Kentucky. regardless of party. are
TOO deeply interested in the question of
sound currency to be favorably impressed
with 1ncongruities on the subject. And
especially where the moral effect Of the
election of a most iDfenca ell
might be very injurious to the country
speaking of the people of the fifth con-
gressional district, believe, all things con-
sidered, we can safely count upon 1900 ma
Jority here against the democratic ticket"
Ex-Congressman Beckner, who was tenn
pcrary chairman of the convention, said
"Mr. Hardin's nomination is happy Sc
lection for the democrats inasmuch as II
Will be acceptable to a large, earnest and
respectable element In the party who might
not be pleased with the platform. l do
not think there is a doubt about his cleo
tion. 1 would have preferred that the plat
form had been expressed in terms that
might possibly have been more agreeable
to some of our friends and not have been
equally as sound on the money question.
But the convention has acted and knew
better than what to do"
1t Is a matter of considerable comment
that Mr.. Hardin. in his speech of accept
ance last night, made no reference what
ever to the question of finance or to the
platform.
After the convention adjourned the writer
talked to Mr.. R. J. Breckenridge, the man
who nominated Hardin. Il am free sill
yer man of the worst sort" he said, but I
have accepted the platform. had to swal-
low 1t whole, and l have gulped it down.
We will go ahead and make our fight on its
lir es. OF course, we cannot say much
about silver in the campaign"
Blackburn Asks Hardin to Withdraw.
A sensation was caused last night when
it was learned that Senator Blackburn Lad
approached Mr.. Hardin after the platform
was adopted and earnestly beSought him
to refuse the nomination upon that plat
form. predicting that if he made the cam
paign upon it he would be the first demo-
cratic candidate for governor in Kentucky
to permit a republican victory.
Hardin refused to accept Mr.. Blackburn S
advice, although they are the closest poiti-
cal and personal friends.
In his speech congratula ting the success
full candidate last night, Mr.. Clay an
nounced that If free silver platform had
been adopted he would have withdrawn
from the candidacy for nomination. 1t is
the universal opinion that if Mr. Clay had
thus expressed himself before the conven-
ton met the result might have teen differ
ent, but he studiously refrained from COM
mitting himself upon the financial ques-
tion on the excuse that it had no place in
a state campaign.
some OF the sound money democrats are
inclined to The opinion that the nomination
of Hardin will prove to be in the interest
of harmony in the party. They say that if
a radical sound money man had been nom
mated. after giving the free silver people
such a severe jolt on the platform, it might
have driven some democrats into the popu-
list party, but that under existing condi-
tons they Will feel that the presence of
their man at the head of the ticket gives
them mora proprietary interest in the de-
mOcracy of the state. After hearing all
these varying opinions of the different fac
tons the mind of the reader will probably
come back to the proposition that the
democratic politics of this state are in
decidedly involved condition, and require
Judicious and harmonious dealing on the
part of the leaders TO untansle. n. o. NJ
COMPLETING THE TICKET,
The Kentucky Democratic Conycn-