Evening star., 1896-03-24
THE EKENTUCKY SENATORSHlP
Causes Which May Result in an Extra
Legislative Session:
Outside Leaders May BE Called to As
sist the Deplorable Demo-
cratic Condition.

The impression prevails in some quarters
that the election of successor to Mr..
Blackburn in the Senate has been referred
irrevocably to the next Kentucky legisla-
ture, which will not be chosen until No
vember, 1897. 1t turns out upon investfsa-
tion that this is an error. While such a
disposition of the matter is regarded as
likely, it is not certain. If Gov. Bradley
should call the present legislature together
In extra session, and designate the election
of United States Senator as among the
questions to be disposed Of, Mr.. Blackburn
would have to return to his mutton at
Frankfort and reopen headquarters.
Pressure for nm Extra Session.
Gov. Bradley has declared against an
extra session. but not all of his lieutenants
are agreed as to the wisdom of his de-
cisfon, and there Is report that those
who differ with him about the matter may
try and induce him tc change his mind and
call one. The affairs of the state are rep
resented as being in very unbusinesslike
condition. There is NO money in the treas
ury, and hand-to-n.outh system of issu-
ing warrants - which afterward are
shaved by the money lenders-is neces-
sity. Then some important and very press
ing measures were shut out by the long
them think two years altogether too long
to wait for action on them. So that, first
and last, a good deal OF pressure may be
brought to bear on the governor ii this
lmpatfence takes the field.
The Louisville District.
There Is a chance, too, it is said, for a
change in the vote of that Louisville sena-
torial district left unrepresentcd by the
death of Nj. Weissinger a sound money
democrat who held out to his last breath
against the reelection of Mr.. Blackburn.
The district is full of business men, all
anxious for the election of a sounG-money
man to the United States Senate, and
many of them, it is believed, would be glad
to assist in electing republican to fill Mr..
Weissinger's place, if by so doing they could
make certain of the defeat of Mr.. Black
burn. There are other vacancies to be
filled, growing out of designations handed
in since the legislature adjourned, but
these are in republican districts, and it is
expected that republicans will be elected to
fill them. The Weissinger district is the
test. If a democrat Is elected there, the
senatorial dilemma will not be changed.
If a republican should be elected there, 1t
would be possible, by a united vote of the
party in the legislature, to name Mr.
Elackburn'S successor.
Deplorable Democratic Situation.
The situation of the democracy in the
state is 50 deplorabie outside party leaders
may be called in to help adjust matters.
Suggestions to this end are already heard.
their intention of fighting the presidential
instructions to be asked for in Mr. Car
isles behalf at the state convention, and
that next year, in return for this, Mr..
Blackburn have a clear field for the Sen
ate. This, however, is not favorably con-
sidered in Kentucky circles 1t is thought
to reduce the question to a basis of pure
personalities, whereby the issue is lost sight
of entirely. Besides. the Blackburn peo-
pie might fEd themselves carrying the big
end of the stick. They would be called
upon to fulfill their part of the engagement
in short time, and could easily do it,
whereas next year, OR as late as January,
1898, when the new legislature will meet,
the Carlisle people might refuse to rally to
their duty. And then both sides seem to
realize that the result of the national cam
paign may change the whole aspect of af-
fairs everywhere, and necessarily force all
local campaigns to be waged next year
On lines not now very fully outlined. Suffi-
cient unto the year is the issue thereof.