Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-28
KENTUCKY POLITICS
Both Parties Preparing fora Vigorous
State Campaign.
DEMOCRATS DIVIDED ON SILVER
Leaders of the Rival Factions and
Their Strength.
REPUBLICANS CONFIDENT

The Kentucky democrats are not Waiting
to see what course the President may pur-
sue with regard to another international
monetary conference before taking sides
on the present aspect of the silver cues
ton, but are already dividing on the line
or free coinage and preparing for most
energetic state campaign. Their conven-
ton for nominating a full state ticket
will be held at Louisville in June, and al
| though there are local issues of enough i'm
portance to occupy them, and although the
republicans will endeavor to hold them
down to the local issues, the one overshad-
owing national issue is certain to receive a
very great deal of attention at their hands,
both before and after the convdhtion. Not
improbably, indeed, the complexion of the
ticket itself may depend upon the express
sion as to silver embodied in the platform
adopted.
Secretary Carlisle TO Participate.
Unusual interest attaches to this contest
by reason of the probable participation in
it of Secretary Carlisle. The Star some
time ago recorded the fact that Mr.. Car
Isle was expected and was expecting to
take part in the next campaign at home
and that his name was being canvassed in
race for choosing successor to Mr.. Black
burn.
Since ther the matter has been made the
subject Of a good deal of discussion in the
Kentucky newspapers, and now, as the
time draws near for a decision to be
reached, Mr.. Carlisle is being pressed to
accept an invitation for an early appear
| ance in the arena. There is hope that he
may be able to improve an opportunity to
be afforded MIN about the middle of April
when rally of the democratic clubs Of
Louisville will take place. and when he
could address himself to the whole DO
ltical question. state and national. An in
vitation to attend this meeting is now in
his hands, and If he decides to accept it
his deliverance on the occasion will attract
national attention. Some of the time will
have to be given to the financial question,
and this portion of the address will, of
course, be accepted as the voice of the ad-
ministration calling democrats to duty.
The Anti-Free Coinage Faction.
The Kentucky democracy is split in
twcin On the silver question, and more feel
Ing exists than has ever appeared in fac
tional strife in the blue grass state before
The antf-free coinage sentiment is voiced
by Secretary Carlisle, Senator Lindsay and
Henry Watterson. They are ticketed as
gold bugs and as the mouthpieces of Wall
street. Behind them are the commercial
bodies OF the towns and cities, the capital
lists here and there engaged in developing
the resources OF the state and business
men generally. This faction is strong in
talent and political experience. The three
leaders mentioned are notable men, with
national regulations, and have many adj
mirerS at home even among those who diff
fer with them. Judge Lindsay has always
been conservative on the money question,
and considers that he is still SO, even while
opposing free coinage at the present time.
Mr.. Watterson has now and then said
good word for silver but has always been
accused of taking his cue as to money from
hn CT Mr. Ri tc1. ~ s1r fr
voted six times for free coinage, and made
a speech against the act of 1873 demonetiz-
ing silver, which has mere frequently been
quoted both in Congress and out than any
other speech on the same subject. But his
record in the Treasury Department Is
thought to show complete reversal of his
financial views, and this. coupled with his
responsible office, makes him the target
for many shafts aimed from the silver
camp. In fact, both the Secretary and his
friends have been notified that all of his
utterances as to silver, from the first to
the latest, have been carefully collated by
his opponents, both democrats and repub-
icanS, and that they are laying for him."
with the hearty promise of making his APP
pearance on the stump at home interest
ing alike to him and to the country.
The Free Coinage Wing.
The free coinage faction is led by Senator
Blackburn and Ex-Governor Proctor Knott,
and this means plenty of fight and con-
troversy. Mr.. Blackburn is a candidate to
succeed himself in the Senate, and is now
On the stump appealing to his friends to
organize and get to work. His itinerary
will take him over the greater part of the
state. and into those large agricultural
sections where the silver sentiment is
strongest. He is assured of immense meet
ings at every point. His style of speaking
is very popular among his constituents,
ard, besides, his old army comrades are to
be found in nearly every county. As a
rule, they are for Joe first, and then for
anything and everything that Joe is for.
They all call him Joe out of the hearth
est regard and the highest respect. The
one of their number who would venture
upon ''Mr. Blackburn would be ostracised
as a dude, and as being out of the pale Of
goCd feeling. And the Senator himself
" ould ratfy the judgment and the action.
Proctor Knott, though for some years now
lost to national notice, is still very prom
iEent man at home, and very popular
ope. He is an ardent advocate of free
coinage, and will make number of
speeches in the campaign. If Mr.. Carlisle
speaks at Louisville next month Mr.. Knott
may be put up within a weeks time to
answer him. and in this way both sides
will be heard through the mouths of their
ableSt local eXponentS.
Behind Mr.. Blackburn and Mr.. Knott are
the great farming interests of the state,
the smaller merchants, and the rank and
file of the everyday party organization.
This support is formidable in numbers,
and, led with tact and courage in a state
day. Led as it will be in June next, a
lively time at the very least may be ex-
pected then.
Republicans Confident.
The Kentucky republicans, full of con-
fidence this year. will take the first go.
They will meet in May and make their
nomination and adopt their platform AS
far possible. they will keep local issues
to the front. They want q look at the
books after thirty years of Interrupted
democratic control. But they will meet the
silver question, and in way to keep them
in line with the party's national record.
They are certain to be well led. Excellent
material is at hand from which to choose
and the party hope is so high vigorous
contest has set up for the places on the
ticket. Joint debates are to be inaugu-
rated, and the ablest of the democratic
speakers invited to come to the scratch.
Party records. state and national, will be
thoroughly overhauled, and unless the
democrats get together, not only on the
silver question. but on other questions. they
privately admit themselves that defeat at
the poles would not surprise them.