The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1895-07-18

TINE PoPuL'sr NOMINEE
For Governor Of the Blue 0rass STATE
Better Than Old Party Nomissss.
The nominee Of the Peoples Party
for Governor Of Kentucky il one OF
the very best men in that State. His
ability is equal to that Of any Ken
tackian; his, honesty is unquestioped,
and this is something that cannot be
said, in the light Of recent events. Of
old party candidates. His opponents
accord him the position he takes
among the people The Sunday Post,
a strong Democratic paper, says:
1.-THE most interesting political
event Of the week in Kentucky was
the Populist State convention in
Louisville. Its effect had been, to
an extent, discounted, but there re-
mained that inter est which attaches
to the personnel OF q State ticket,
formulated at time when every ele-
of strength is carefully weighed and
considered. 1t was a forgone con
clusion that the Populist convention
would declare for the free and un-
limited coinage of silver at the ratio
OF Is to l, and that Hon. T. s. Petit.
Of this city, would be nominated for
Governor. The former action was
one in accord with the common senti-
ment in the PoPulist party, while the
latter was one suggested alike by
expediency and a general recognition
of Mr.. Pettit's superior claims on the
honor accorded him. He stands
easily the foremost, as we'll as ablest,
exponent of his party's doctrines in
Kentucky. he is one of the few who
have been able to carry the Populist
standard to victory in hard fought
contests, and the fact that his tri-
umphs were achieved in Democratic
strongholds was of itself a significant
and striking testimonial. Besides,
few men have enjoyed the opportu-
mites for political education that
have fallen to Mr.. Pettit's lot. An
experienced and successful journal
ist before he entered upon his public
career he started out we'll equipped
for progress in the science of state
craft. He first served in the Genel al
Assembly of Kentucky in clerical
capacity, and then filed with signal
ability responsible position in the
House of Representatives at Wash
ington. for many years. AS far back
as fifteen years ago he made bril-
liant race for Congress in the second
district and his recent race against
Capt. Ellis is yet fresh in the men,
ory of the people. He was elected
to the Constitutional convention
from Davies county and subsequently
to the legislature. Besides this active
participation in political affairs he
has been in demand as an orator and
lecturer on many special occasions.
He is also Past Grand Master of the
Masonic Order, with all that this i'm
plies from personal standpoint.
We have dwelt somewhat on these
facts, because it is no time for Demo-
Gratis to disguise or evade issues. Mr..
Petit will go into the gubernatorial
campaign fully the equal, individu-
ally, of either of his opponents. In
adroitness, activity, knowledge of
men and measures Of forensic ability,
he is not inferior to Gen. Hardin or
Col. Bradley. In some respects he is
the superior of both. What figure he
will cut in the race remains to be
seen. he may prove a formidable
factor; he may not. He will certainly
not omit to avail himself of all that
may be made out of Gen. Hardin's
nomination by a sound money con-
vention, nor fail to throw out hook
for the free silver fish that have de-
clined to be caught in Col. Bradley's
goldbug net. If there are any weak
spots in the records or platforms Of
his opponents Mr.. Petit may be re-
lied on to discern them and to keep
them on exhibition until November.
The Populists are boastful, whether
sanguine or not; but there seems to
be but little chance for their success
in the State at large. In Davies
county, Mr.. Pettit's home, and in
western Kentucky it is not improb-
able that the Populist ticket may re-
ceive a larger vote than usual. 1t is
better FOR Democrats to be prepared
for such contingencies in advance
than to shut their eyes to existing
conditions and realize their mistake
after the polls are closed"