Evening star., 1896-10-23
Expectation Of Electing Nine Re-
publican Members Of Congress.
TEE PRESENT SITUATION ANALYZED
Breckinridge Has No Serious Op-
position and Will Be Elected.
A PREDICTED PLURALITY
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


heated campaign in Kentucky as the pres
ent. The excitement is intense, from the
mountains to the Purchase" and 1t is
very poor sort of orator who cannot con-
vene an audience If he cannot command
a hearing. Both sides claim the advantage,
but the logic of the figures is decidedly
with the republicans.
III the Bryan democrats have two MEM
bers in the House of Representatives of
the Fffty-ffth Congress they will have to
fight for them with greater pertinacity
than has characterized any race for Con-
gress in this state in forty years. There
are enthusiastic republicans and Palmer
democrats who say the Bryan candidates
Will be defeated in every district; but the
more conservative view is that they have
the second district certainly and an even
chance in two Others.
The first has been known the Gibral-
tar district for more than half a century,
SO designated because Of its overwhelming
democratic majorities. 1t is that part of
the state between the Tennessee and Mis-
sissippf rivers. There is no doubt that
Bryan will receive a large majority in that
district, at least 5000, but the congress
sional race is a three-cornered affair ard
the populists are stronger In the first than
In any other district of the state.
Wheeler. the Bryan candidate was a
sound money man until he failed to secure
an off1ce for which he applied to Secretary
Carlisle; and hence 1t is that KEYS. the
popuiist candidate, refuses to Withdraw in
LIS favor. There are about many pop
uists as silver democrats in the district
and If the gold democrats vote for Thomas.
the republican candidate, the latter will
have a small plurality. 1t is a very pretty
race as ii stands This is the district SO
long represented by Capt. w. j. Stone, SO
Wen known in Washington. Cleveland car
siea rec, IL m lSe 10y plurality of 1873. Har-
oins plurality in 1885 was only 33S5
until last year the democrats could count
on large majority in the second district
~ Is one OF the finest agricultural regions
IN the whole country; but contains thriving
ana progressive towns such as Henderson,
Owensboro', Hopklnsville Morgantown.
cni0ntown and Madsonville. 1t is claimed
Tor henderson that il deals in more Ion
don exchange than even Cincinnati and IN
all the towns mentioned the sound money
sentiment among democrats is strong and
sLowing. Ihere is formidable populist
element in the district which will slpport
Slardy, the silver democrat who is a cam
dldate Tor re-eieC tion to Congress- If he 10
elected, 1t will he due to that element. II
the sound money democrats and renuhIi
cans We're united their candidate would he
successful, but the republicans have nomY
mated young man named Fauts a fine
stump speaker, and the Palmer men have
nominated j. w. Lockett who will nil
t,VVo or 3UU votes Last year the repub-
Means carried the district by small Min.
Dn.y' owing 10 heavy vote cast for
fettt the populist nominee for governor
MI. carlisle speaks in the district October
70, and ii is altogether probable thai he
may turn the scale against Clardy
The "BIoody Old Third"
Inc third district is known as the bloody
old third" because of numerous exciting
and bitter factional quarrels in ho,b
parties. AT present it is represented by
Dr. w. Godfrey Hunter, a republican.
whose plurality in 1894 was l,op Last
year it went republican by 2,Ooo John s.
nj he.
orator In the state is the candidate of the
Bryan people. and Dr. Hunter without ex-
ception the finest political organizer in the
state, Is the republican candidate for re-
election. In 1885 the populists noIled 51t
votes in the district A majority of these
will vote for Rhea, bat the sound money
sentiment among democrats in the district
IS very considerable-at least 3,NE,-of
which Hunter Will receive one-half and
Rhea none. The election of Hunter is as
sured.
Until 1894 the fourth district had always
been strongly democratic. In 1882 Cleve-
land carried IL by about 5,tsel. MONTGOMERY
former Congressman, sought to have Mrs
Ben Hardin Helm removed as postmaster
of EliZabethtown. She is a sister of Mrs
Abraham Lincoln, and her husband was
Killed at the battle of Chickamauga while
leading the famous orphan Brigade" of
the confederate army in brilliant charge.
Gen. Grant first appointed Mrs. Helm post
master; Hayes, Arthur, Cleveland-his first
term-and Harrison. successfully reappoint-
ed her. Both parties in the fourth revered
her. and great majority hoped she was in
office for life There is no sentiment ex-
cept selfshness in practical politics Mrs
Helm was removed, and simultaneously
Montgomery, who had been defeated for
reelection in 1894 developed into a most
radical gold standard man, having been,
heretofore, a most radical free silver man.
And there is a fine faction fight, and the
election of John w. Lewis over his oppo-
nent, ID. H. Smith, is assured. There is a
q II
ham, who is most obstinate in his refusal
to get off the track. Bradley carried the
district in 1885.
The fifth district will re-elect Walter
Evans by a majority of at least 1o.0oo. and
it may be l5.00o. This is the Louisville dis
trict containing sound money democratic
contingent OF at least 12,,WD, none of whom
will vote for John Young Brown. The Bryan
candidate. and half of whom will vote for
Evans. the republican candidate. John B.
Baskia is the Palmer candidate.
CarIisIc's Old District.
The sixth is Carlisle's district. Until re-
Gently it was good for 5000 democratic ma
jority; but A. S. Berry, the democratic
nominee. will probably be defeated this
year. Until he went home last summer af-
ter the adjournment of Congress. he was a
strong supporter of the administration In
his speech accepting the nomination he as
serted that he only supported Cleveland's
financial policy in order to get offices fo.
MS his competitor. X. l..
Ernst, is a man of high character. who will
not only get the full republican and sound
money democratic vote, but a great many
silver men. who do not approve of Berry.
The seventh is the Ashland district and
there is very little doubt that Col. Breckin-
ridge, candidate of the sound money demo-
Gratis and republicans VIII defeat Settle
the silver democrat. Breckenridge will lose
some republicans and Palmer democrats,
but he has considerable personal following
among the silver people
There Is little doubt that G. NJ Davidson,
republican, will carry the eighth district
now represented by Governor McCreary.
1t is close even when the democrats are
united and this year there are several thou
sand Palmer democrats i'm the district who
will not vote for Thompson. the Bryan cam
didate. The curious phase of il is that
Thompson, who is an extensive distiiIer of
Bourbon whisky. will get the prohibition
vote, and the eighth is about the only dis
trict in the state where that party has any
strength.
The ninth district is safely republican
this year. 1t may be by 1900, and it may
be by 1900. Saml- ]. Pugh, the sitting
member. is the republican nominee for re-
election. and w. Larue Thomas is the silver