Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1896-03-20
w. P. WALTON.
SIX PAGES.

some OF those democrats who think it is
necessary to be slwsys abusing political
adversary, to make ill-natured remarks
about it, but we have as usual pursued
our determination to give every man his
due and do as near right as possible re-
eardless of invidious criticism. We like
Gov. Bradley and for that reason had look
ed with some pride on the creditsble man
ner in which he had conducted himself,
since taking charge of the highest office
in the State. 1t Is therefore with regret
that We are forced to condemn and exc
crate bis unwarranted and unnecessary
break in the calling ont of the militia in
order to protect the General Assembly,
which had not asked him to do 90, from
Jack Chinn, and permit the republicans
to elect U. s. Senator by force OF arms
and regardless Of right.
Upon the affidsvits of the two republi.
can speakers OF the Legislature that GER
tain Senators we're being denied their
privileges by the menace OF Jack Chinn
and his knife, and upon the idle rumor
that he was to be arrested for usurpation
OF authority, the governor becomes panic
stricken, calls out the militia and has the
riot alarm rung in the dead hours Of
night, as il there was a serious outbreak
or an army approaching with banners and
cannon to wipe out not only the defense
less Legislature, but the city of Frank
fort as we'll. People thought there was
an outbreak at the penitentiary or some
thing else OF that nature, but hardly
man of the thousands who rushed out
when the alarm sounded, even surmised
that the republican governor had in mo.
ment OF fright thrown the peaceful city
in to warlike preparations and placed it
under martial law. The act was 30 I'M
called for, 30 useless and 30 arbitrary that
these came citizens without regard TO
party met next day and in the most
scathing terms denounced it as the act of
tyrsnt and coward, Judge Hszslrigg,
OF the court Of appeals, being especially
severe In his condemnation OF Q usurps-
ton of authority hitherto unheard of.
People are jealous Of the use OF the
military and are unsltsrsbly opposed to
its being called into service. until ii has
been fully demonstrated that the civil
authorities are unable to preserve order.
The proof lie cumulative that no such a
state OF affairs existed, Mayor Julian and
Sheriff Armstrong testifying that they
were ready, willing and fully able TO meet
any emergency. Neither asked the gov
ernor for assistance and neither needed
or wanted ii, though. the governor is said
to have tried hard to get the sheriff to
request the call for troops. Gov. Bradley
may have the authority to proceed as he
did, but il is doubtful il he has. At any
rate it ia a most dangerous authority and
when exerted by despot and tyrsnt can
change our form Of government into a
monarchy. 1t ia dangerous ground upon
which to tread and forever damned is he
and the party responsible for it, II it was
done without warrant and without con-
stltutloDal authority.
Granting that there was need of sol
diers TO preserve the peace, the McCreary
Guards, the crack company OF the State,
were in town and OF sufficient numbers
to quell any outbreak, without ordering
out several hundred men at such an hour
of the night and at such an expense TO the
State. The only reason that can be as
signed for such recklessness is that the
governor got so ratified be did not know
what he was doing, except that he want
ed to show his authority and overawe sill
who dared to maintain their rights as
free men.
Gov. Bradley NAV have acted from a
sole desire to preserve the peace and not
partisan spirit, but the facts are
against him. Any man with ordinary
grit could have called Jack Chinn's bluff
and brought him to his senses II he was
acting unlawfully, which We do not sd'
NIT, though we think he should not have
been given the position he held. Chinn,
with all his reckless brsvado, 10 a man of
sense and had no idea OF doing all the
horrible things that the governor thought
be would do. The sheriff or policeman
could have easily taken care OF him, in
stead OF having the executive make
spectacle Of himself and bring Kentucky
INTO further disrepute by calling out 400
when there was absolutely
no cause for it. The only charitable con. ,
,truction that can be put upon Governor
action is that he was frighten- &
ID out of his wits and acted under ex- {
element and without full consideration Z
If the enormity OF it. At any rate he
made mistake amounting almost to a
rhine.
JACK CHIsS is the greatest man in the
State. At least the republican governor
aa,oa ~ think an IL took two reoi-