The Van Buren press., 1895-10-12
SENATOR BLACKBURN
Talks Abeut TIE Kentucky Campaign
and the Free Coinage ef Silver

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 4.-Senatof
Blackburn, Of Kentucky. who has been
here during the week. left for his home
this evening to resume work In the
political campaign In Kentucky:
Before his departure the Senator talked
freely ON the condition OF ahairs In
Kentucky.
.Some newspapers delight to keep
repeating that the silver craze Is
dying out in Kentucky, but ! tell You
that facts are exactly the opposite to
this, said Mr.. Blackburn. Every
day In Kentucky the silver sentiment Is
growing larger and assuring rs greater
victory. There was never any doubt
about my re election. That was evident
from the first, and the only doubt that
existed was as to the state ticket. II
You had asked me . month ago whether
Mr.. Hardin would be elected governor
I would have told you that did not
know, that there was grave doubt and
that Il would be necessary to wait TO SEQ
developments. Now this is all different.
Mr.. Hardin viii be elected by majority
of Is, 900 ct least and probably 20 600.
Kentucky has been state for lO3 years,
and we have never had an ADLER man
than Mr.. Hardin for governor. He Is
not only able, but is . fearless man,
true to his convictions. and can be
depended upon to do the right thing
when he Il Governor. As said, the
silver cause in Kentucky Is increasing
and the only thing that prevents the
situation being stated In its true light II
that the newspapers Of our largest cities
are hirelings Of the money power. I
tell them they have their tags on like 20
many dogs, and they dare not do other
wise than wear their tags and bark In
accordance with instructions. ask no
quarter from them, expect none and
propose to give none. The black dag Is
up between rs. and it can stay there.
"For the last five months have been
continuously on the stump In Kentucky.
have made 100 speeches In about 20
counties, and there are 119 counties In
al in Kentucky. Ihave yet to 60 to .
town that has an opera house, public
hall or any building large enough to
hold the crowds that come to hear me.
This does not look very much - II silver
was unpopular In Kentucky. Every
sentiment regarding the white metal
Is greeted with applause that appears
almost to lift the roof. The fact Is the
people of Kentucky are with me
and the newspapers are against me.
The people know this, and / tell them
that the only way have to reach them
is by talking to them personally. They
gladly hear me.
There is one thing which has been
overlooked In all comments on the
Kentucky situation. - Mr.. Blackburn
said: "A gold standard resolution was
offered In the gubernatorisl convention,
and It was rejected by q vote Of 822 to
IS. Does that look like the Kentucky
Democracy was in favor of single gold
Standard II they had been they had an
opportunity to adopt that resolution.
but they did not do It. There was only
the number Of Is in favor Of it. The
fact Is, the convention adopted the
financial platform, which IL merely q
repetition Of the national platform OF
1899. have interpreted that platform
as being in favor of bimetallism and
free silver. Mr.. Cleveland and Mr..
Carlisle have seen fit to interpret 1t as q
declaration for gold standard.
1.-THE vote by which the gold standard
resolution was voted down In the con
vention in Kentucky is sufficient
explanation Of the way in which the
Democracy Of the state regards the
platform.
"You may rest assured Of two
things: The first is, that there WA
never any doubt about my re election
and the second is. that Mr.. Hardin will
be chosen governor by q majority o.
Is, 900 to 30, 600"