The times., 1897-12-03
CHRISTEN THE KENTUCKY
Miss Richardson Angry Over
Gov. Bradley's Action.
HIS DAUGHTER AS SPONSOR
Declares the Governors Daughter
Received the Honor Because His
Staff OFFICERS Worked Up a Boom
Reiterates rhat Secretary Her
bert Named Her for sponsor.

Lexington, Ky, Dec. Miss Harriet
b. Richardson, who was selected by ex-
Secretary Herbert 10 christen the new
hattleship Kentucky, is more angry than
evel tonight since il has been annonaced
that Governor Bradley received letter
from Secretary Long, dated November 20,
asking him to appoint a sponsor for The
new battleshlp named after his state
Ii seems that Miss Richardson has been
doing some quiet detective work she
says she has found tnat the alleged spon-
tanecus petition from the Commercial
CIui,, OF Louisville and the president OF the
Lexington Chamber Of Commerce, were
solicited by friends close To Governor BrId-
ley's family. She discovered that Presi-
dent Cex, of the Lexington ChamDeT OF
Commerce, was approached last SatFIr lay
by Col Smith. Of Governor Bradity's
staff, and asked TO sign the petition pray
ing the governor to appoint ms only
daughter. Miss Christine sponsor Tor the
Kentucky.
In commenting on the manner in which
Miss BradIey's appointment was brought
about, Miss Richardson said tonight; Tne
honor OF christening the new battleship
came to me absolutely unsought- WAS
present at "A dinner party ia Washington
given at the Shoreham the night Secretary
Herbert agreed 10 name the new snip ,ust
vote by Congress for my native state.
He told me that he wanted ME 10 be the
SPONSOR for the snip. It was also under
stood by all the company present. inciud-
ing some of the most distin guished Army
aud Ntvy officers and men prominent in
the administration
The newspapers got hold of il and from
all over the country 1 received cOngratula-
tious on my selection These facts We're
known to all Rentuckians. and they most
certainly were known To Gov. Bradley
The plea or lis friends now that he knew
nothing of my seIectt0H falls little lat
Ms friends were 50 certain that the wishes
of Secretary Herbert, Who honored zen
lucky by naming the great war vessel for
her, would be respected by his sRcee ssor in
the matter OF the ships sponsor That they
never made any effort 20 call seer eJary
Longs attention 70 my previous appoin5-
uent.
I understand that immediately after
the receipt OF the letter from Secretary
Lcilg. Gov. Bradley allowed his friends
10 gc to work and manufacture the sup
posed public sentiment in favor OF aim
naming his own daughter for the Position
which had been rendered me and accepted
wher the ship was actually named.
The petitions We're prepared by a
typcv-ritar in the office OF member
OF Gev. BradIey's staff mere and we.e
sent cut TO GOV. Bradley's close friends
all oven the State. VINO were instructed
now to proceed. Then it was flas he'd in
th.. newspapers that the unanimous senti-
II Ell: of Kentuckitns was in favor of Gov.
Bradley appointing mis- own daughter as
sponsor"
President Cox, OF the chamber Of com
mercc said tonight
The petition was brought 10 me last
Saturday l:y Col. Smith. Of Gov Bradley S
staff. 1 told him that l thought Miss
| Richardson had been selected as sponsor
and 1 heSitated shout signing his peti
ton until Ee assured me that Miss Rich
ardsor had not been appointed, that tht
story cf her appointment was simply icle
talk l then signed the petition As preSi
dent oi the Lexington chamber of com
| niece"
Gov. Bradley declined to be interviewed
about the matter, bat gave out the fol
lowing letter, which he received two weeks
% which, he thinks, justifies his sc
tion.
Navy Department