Evening star., 1896-09-28
THE BLUE GRASS STATE
Indications That the Republicans Will Garry
the State.
Majority of the Congressional Dele
gates May Be of That
Party.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

srecial Correspondence of The Evening Star
LEXINGTON, KY, September %. 1896.
Kentucky is wild with political excite
ment, and most of the population, includ-
ing a great many of the female portion
as we'll as the men. are discussing the cur
rency question and the prospects of presi
dential candidates to an extent that, so far
as is known, has never before been de-
yeloped in the "blue grass commonwealth.
At the election held last year there were
cast in round numbers S56,oOO votes, divid-
ed follows: Republican, about 1i2,0oO;
democratic, 10000; populist, about 1l,0O,
and prohibitionist, about 1000. 1t will be
seen from this that the republicans, while
in a minority so far as the aggregate vote
was concerned of about 6,0,U. had a plu-
rality of about 9.VO-just enough to make
matters decidedly interesting at the pres
ent time.
since the election of the present governor,
MIR. Bradley, there have been some changes
IN party lines. and it is believed that some
republicans who are inclined to free silver
will vote for Bryan, but the ballots of
these boilers will be more than Offset by
the votes of the sound money democrats
who will not vote for Bryan under any cir
cumstances. AT this time there is strong
inclination on the part of the sound money
democrats to vote for the Indianapolis tick
ct, NeSSrS. Palmer and Buckner, but there
believe that when election day arrives
they will see the folly of casting their
ballots for Palmer and Buckner, and, in
order TO render the loss of the state TO
Bryan more certain of accomplishment,
will vote for Mckinley.
Effect of n Fusion.
AS in almost every other state where
there is a populistic element, the majority
of the populists will do almost anything
to secure an office, and some of the leaders
of the latter are endeavoring to effect a
fusion with the democrats. Based on the
vote cast last fall, effective union of
the two forces would give the fusion ticket
a plurality of about 5000, but on account
of the questions which enter into the pres
ent campaign, this condition of affairs
could not it is believed, be depended upon.
In the first congressional district fusion
has been effected between the republicans
and the populfstS, so far as nominee for
the House of Representatives is concerned,
and ii is thought that the populist NOM
inee. Benjamin c. Keys, will be elected.
His opponent is Mr.. Charles K. Wheeler,
the present Representative.
At the election in 1894 Wheeler defeated
Keys by about 5000 plurality, but there
were then three tickets in the field. After
the votes were counted two years ago it
was seen that, had the republicans and pop
ulists united their forces. they could easily
have defeated Wheeler, and the repuhli-
cans are in q hopeless minority in the dis
trict and desire above all things to defeat
the democratic nominee. not for personal
reasons. but simply because he is a demo-
crat, they do not, 1t is said. propose to
throw away their chances this time.
In the Second District.
DIR. John D. Clardy. the present repre-
sentative. is a candidate for reelection in
the second district. His plurality two years
ago was in the neighborhood of about 1900,
but there has been great change in the
that time Until few days ago there were
three congressional tickets IN the field, the
republicans having nominated E. T. Frank,
ard the populistS John NJ. Bell The latter
has, however, withdrawn from the field, as
the leaders realized that although they
could poll more than 4.GO votes it would
simply be throwing away an opportunity 20
decrease the democratic representation in
the House of Representatives by one vote,
and consequently the populist candidate
has withdrawn. Some of the best informed
members of both the democratic and re-
publican parties regard this action of the
populists rendering certain the election
of the republican candidate.
Hunter Will BE Probably Be Defeated
In the third district the democrats and
populsts have effected a fusion, and this
gives the democratic nominee. Mr.. J. S
Rhea. reason to believe that he will be able
to defeat the present representative, DIR. W
Godfrey Hunter. The populists are not
however. entirely satisfied with the terms
of the deal so far as made and threaten tc
nominate a candidate of their own unless
the democrats give them more recognition
On the electoral ticket.
The situation has been further complica
ted by the fact that there is also an inde
pendent republican in the field in the per
son of DIR. E. II. Hobson. 1t is highly prob
able that DR.. Hobson will poll very large
vote. as he is very popular with the soldier
element in both the republican and demo
cratic parties. He has been nicknamed tn,
boy General" as his friends claim that h,
was the youngest general officer on th
Union side during the late unpleasantnes IS
DR. IIobsoa is member of the Grand Arm,
of the Republic and has been promnent Il.
mentioned for the position of commander
in-chief The adherents of Palmer and Buck
rer are also talking about putting candi
date in the field, and. If they do, the situa
tion will be still further complicated.
The fourth district Is now represented b,
q republican, Mr.. John w. Lewis, and he II
q candidate for reelection. Mr.. Lewis Il
popular, and he will. 1t is believed, get tn
support not only of his own party, but of ,
large section, IL not indeed. all of the ma
tional democratic or sound money party
There are three candidates against him.
William H. Murray, u. H. Smith and WI
liam Sweeney-but the impression Is tha
Lewis will be elected
Evans Chances for Reelection.
Walter Evans, who now represents tn
fifth or Louisville district, Is a candidat
for reelection, having been nominated b.
the regular republican convention, ard tn
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