Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-03

indicates that however the legislative tan
gle may finally straighten out at Frankfort,
two prominent candidates for the position of
Senator from Kentucky are now in this
town. 1t is possible that neither may win,
but that sound money democrat will be
Mr.. Blackburn's successor.
An Interesting Situation.
The legislative situation is interesting.
The republicans and democrats are exactly
tied on joint ballot, leaving at present the
balance of power in the hands of two popu-
list members, one of whom was elected by
the aid of republican votes. and the other
by the aid of democratic votes. But this di-
vision is to be changed next Saturday by the
result of an election to be held that day in
enc of the Louisville assembly districts,
where a vacancy exists by reason of a res
ignatioD.
A democrat-the only one elected in the
city on the regular day in November-sur-
rendered his certificate because of a cloud
which hung over it. His republican oppo-
ent, it turned out, secretly withdrew from
the race only few days before the election,
leaving the democrat a walkover. A charge
of improper influences was made, whereat
the successful democrat, an eStimable young
man, to show that he had not himself been
party to anything improper resigned his Of
flee. He was promptly renominated by his
party, and is being opposed by popular re-
publican. The result is doubtful. Ordinar-
lily, of course, the district is democratic; but
how this canvass will be affected by the I'M
usual importance attached to the result, and
the personal matter which has brought it
about, is a problem. Had the issue been
fairly tried there, as in the other districts,
on the regular election day, the republicans,
as in the other districts, would have won.
Col. Bradley, the republican candidate for
governor, had over one hundred majority
there Both sides making tremendous
effort 20 carry the day, the democrats upon
the hypothesis that if they win, the sena-
torsbip will certainly be theirs.
Not Conceded by Republicans.
The republicans do not concede this
There are several contests in the house
where they have a majority, and at least
two of the cases. it is claimed, will war
rant decision in favor of that side. So
that, if this contention is correct, the Louis
vile contest is not so vital as the demo-
Gratis insist.
What Mr.. BInckburn's Friends Say.
The confidence in Mr.. Blackburns re-
turn on the part of his friends in case the
democrats control the legislature Is based
very largely upon his personal strength,
which is considerable. Even men who diff
fer radically with him on the silver QueS-
tion-men who refuse to accept him as a
financier at all-lke him on personal
grounds, and admit that on the other ques-
tions he is a thoroughly representative
silver question, while mistaken, as manly.
He didn't try TO straddle or evade the ques-
ton. He went no further when there was
no challenge whatever to such sentiments
from anybody in the party than he goes
row with those sentiments challenged by
the leader of the party himself. Issuing his
mandate from the White House itself The
Senator, his friends claim, is a square man,
who moves according to his lights, and
under the influence of an incorruptibie
sense of duty They believe, too, that this
scrt of reputation will count in the demo-
cratic caucus at Frankfort in his favor
Ground of Republican Confidence.
Those republicans who expect to see Mr.
Evans chosen Senator base their confidence
on his high standing in the party, on his
services to the party, and on his conceded
ability. There are other strong men in
the race on that side. Congressman Hun
ter, A. E. Wilson of Louisville, and George
Denny of Lexington, who is contesting the
seat of W. c. Owens in the House, are
actively in the 6eld.s Mr.. Evans how
ever, is the first republican ever to carry
the Louisville district. which occurred last
year. gained much reputation. and this he
increased this year by carrying the dis
trict for the whole republican state ticket
and by securing from the city of Louis
Vile next to solid delegation in the legis-
lature.
Blackburn ana Evans Contrasted.
Mr.. Blackburn and Mr.. Evans, except in
the matter of ability, which both possess,
are utterly unlike each other. The one is
a fervid orator of the Kentucky type very
ready, very aggressive and very effective
before, any, popular audience. His tastes
are all of his soil. He is a capital mixer
loves and patronizes the race track, and
knows both the blufflng and the cash value
of small par at cards. Mr.. Evans,
while also a good mixer, is rather a student
than an orator, cool, calculating man,
who never acts hastily, and a highly sue
cessful lawyer before judges rather than
juries. He has had IonG experience in
politics He was the commissioner of in
ternal revenue under President Arthur,
and he was the republican candidate for
governor Of Kentucky at the time Senator
Elackburn's brother, DR.. Blackburn, was
elected to that Office Mr.. Evans Is a
native of Kentucky and about ffty-five
years old.