Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-21

William Goebel of Kentucky is probably
the most widely discussed candidate of the
year. A few months ago he was but a
state senator. making a canvass for a
gubernatorial nomination and scarcely
known outside of his own state. Today
having secured the prize he was seeking, he
is known throughout the country. and is
the subject of warmer praise and bitterer
denunciation than political history ordi-
nariy records His friends characterize
him as man of very great ability and
promise, and moving sure-footedly to
great influence in the country's affairs. His
enemies characterize him as a man without
conscience or scruple, whose defeat in the
present campaign is to be desired every
ground of decency and state safety. What
ever his true character may be, that he
has accomplished by one means or another
several very difficult things in his opera
tons so far cannot be denied.
The man upon whom in this race he most
heavily leans is x-Senator Blackburn. He
is himself not an orator Mr. Blackburn is
very effective on the stump. He Is himself
not at all popular His address is cold and
reserved. Mr.. Blackburn is "a bue-ribbon
mixer" with a howdydo and handshake
which are quite irresistible. So that the
two men nave doubled up and touring
the state together. But if they win this
race the advantage will be with Mr.. Goebel,
who will control the party machinery alb
soutely. The senatorship, like everything
else, will be in his hands 1t will be in his
power to slaughter Mr.. Blackburn if he
should so desire He slaughtered Captain
Stone, who had helped him, as Mr. Black
burn is now helping him But even if the
terms are kept in this case, Mr.. Blackburn
Will be obliged to accept his commission
from hands that are smeared with the
blood of his best friend. The slayer of San
ford. whom he once vowed to destroy po-
litically. will appear in the role of his own
political patron and savior.
Another very conspicuous supporter of
Mr.. Goebel is Henry Watterson, whose
case Is even more singular than that of
Mr.. Blackburn. The Goebel elections law
of which much is heard, was aimed at
the gold democrats of Kentucky. Mr..
Goebel and his friends charged that Mr..
Hanna in 1896 bought the gold democrats
out of hand and thereby carried the state
for Mckinley Mr. Watterson's newspaper
was mentioned by name as having shared
in the swag. The Star. some months ago.
in speaking of the Goebel law, characterized
it as the only legislative monument ever
erected to campaign lie. And that de-
scribes it. That is what it is. Nobody
really believes that men like Henry Wat
terson. Judge Lindsay, General Buckner
and Mr.. Carlisle We're bought, or could be
bought by anybody for any purpose But
Mr.. Goebel. upon the pretence of believing
it, passed his elections law. and then boast
ed that Mr.. Hanna could not buy these
gentlemen again in 1900. And yet Mr.. Wat
terson is supporting Mr.. Goebel for gov
ernor He is licking the hand which has
so cruelty scourged him.
Surely, the man who has brought into his
train supporters and eulogists two such
men Mr.. Blackburn and Mr. Watterson
in the circumstances described is no ordi-
nary individual, whether considered as a
plotter prodigy of mere luck.