Evening star., 1897-04-12
THE KENTUCKY. SITUATION
Indignation Among Republicans at the Sen
atorial Complication.
The Fight of Two Ambitious Men
Losing by the Wrangie-Mr.
Blackburn Purpose.

The senatorial situation in Kentucky ex-
cites no little Indignation In the bosoms
of the republican leaders here. The repub-
licans have a clear majority of the legis-
lature. BY united action they could have
disposed of the matter of electing sue
cessor to Mr.. Blackburn in one day. The
Legislature met III extra session. with the
senatorship on the cards for action. on
the 18th of March. month, therefore,
has gone by, and yet no senator has been
chosen.
Two Ambitious Men.
The story, in part. is that of two ambi-
tious men fighting for supremacy. DIR.
Hunter is the republican candidate, regu-
larly nominated, and entitled therefore,
by party usage, to the support of
every republican member of the legisla-
ture. The state central committee like
wise has indorsed his candidacy. But he
lacks one or two votes of the requisite
number. and these votes are influenced in
their opposition by Gov. Bradley who ap-
parently, would rather see no choice made
at all than that the choice should fall on
mis- party's nominee.
The Question Of PATRONAGE
The question of federal patronage also
enters into the contest. The Bradley people
in the state. who are not numerous in this
matter. fear that II DIR. Hunter, or any
man of his naming, is CHOSEN, they will be
eibowed TO the rear. This intensifies their
fight. They are anxious to defeat Dr. Hun
ter both because of Governor Bradley's per-
sonal hostility TO him. and to make places
for themselves at what Isl famliarly called
the pie counter The Hunter people for
their part, we'll understand that if Governor
Bradley is permitted to dominate the selec-
ton they will all be biacklisted and an
m IN Sn.lf han
share in favors here. And so it gees.
Losing by the wrangle.
The republicans of Kentucky, it is well
recognized in Washington, are losing heav-
lily by this wrangle. They are not being
considered at the White House in con-
nection with the general division of the
patronage, and will not be so considered
until they elect a senator There are scme
excellent and very deserving men among
them, who In other circumstances would
stand well to the front at this time with
the President. He has tod more than one
of them this himself The party leaders
here fully justify him in his stand. Mean
while the republicans from other states are
picking out PLACES. and fortifying their ap-
piieations for them, and will, of course,
when the distribution fairly begins. have
greatly the advantage of men who have
been delayed In starting to work.
Mr.. BlackIurn's Plans.
The democratic program at Frankfort
remains unchanged. Mr.. Blackburn is on
the ground, and in charge of his forces.
His main purpose is to defeat an election,
In the hope of carrying the next legisla-
ture and succeeding himself Failing in
that. he would be glad to see Gov Bradley
chosen. Some of his followers have been
openly coquetting with the Bradley people
10 this end. 1t is strange combinat ton,
this proposed union of silver democrats
and few gold republicans to elect a sena-
tor, but the scheme has freely been can
vassed The transfer of Gov. Bradley to
the Senate would necessitate the election
or a new governor next fall. Mr. Black
burn would then be nominated for the
office. and, if elected, would lay pipe to
defeat Mr.. Lindsay for the Senate in jan
uary, 1899.
But Gov. Bradley's election is not con-
sidered at all likely. In fac: it is doubt
ed here if triumphing by such a surrender
of his party's best interests at home, he
would be admitted in such circumstances
to republican affiliations in the Senate.