Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-11
BRADLEY IN HIS OWN DEFENSE.
Kentucky Governor Explains His Use
Of TrOOps at the Election.

~ S"tuchS governor Explains His Use
OF Troops at the Election.
Governor Bradley of Kentucky has pub
dshed long statement in reply to the
criticism of the board of election commits
sioners that he illegally used the state
militia on election day. He says in part:
The statement that 1 went to Louisville
to call out the guard was and is malicious
ly false. Appointments were made for me
to speak at three places in the city on
Saturday night before the election, and ]
went there to fill them. After having
spoken, number of the citizens asked me
to remain over and speak at the auditor.
ium on Monday night, which 1 agreed to
do, and the fact was announced:
Meanwhile, before Monday night, the
press Of the city showed very great Bit
terness and excitement. The mayor issued
a proclamation, saying bloodshed was ap-
pretended, and extra police were ap-
pointed. On Monday some eighty-seven
election officers were summariIy removed
and this added greatly to the intense ex-
element already prevailing The affidavits
of John ]. GALLOWAY, John c. Miller, E L.
Mcdonald, Robert Cochran, Allen r. Car
ter, Charles /. Stewart Richard w Knott
and John B. Baskin were filed with me- in
which 1t was stated that on account of the
excited condition OF the public and the
general opinion that a fair election would
not be given, and the general impression
that the free exercise of the right of the
franchise would be Interrupted by force
and fraud, they verify believed that there
was great danger, and that many breaches
OF the peace, riots and disturbance would
occur on the day of the election.
AS to the Covtngton matter statements
were sent to me signed by some $50 citi-
zens, representing that it was necessary
for the safety and welfare of the state,
and to avert threatened domestic violence
and other dangers to the public interest.
TO employ military force in the aid of civil
power in preserving the peace, and secur-
ing the rights, property and lives of citI-
zens. There was a high state OF public
feeling aroused by well-grounded appre-
hension of fraud, fopce and other Iawless-
ness on the next day November 81, and i'm
m1nent danger OF serious breach of
peace, destruction Of property and loss of
human life; that the local civil authorities
would not exercise their power to preserve
order and secure a fair election, but were
in a conspiracy to prevent such election.
and thus provoke disorder and violence.
Il ordered Major Nelson Edwards to as
semble the state guard companies and as
sist Thomas Dunn, constable of Kenton
county, in serving warrants and making
arrests, under warrants issued by the Jus
tice of the peace. In no instance did l or
der the election to be interfered with or
soldiers to be sent to the polls, but gave
only such orders as were necessary to pre-
serve the public peace and the lives and
property of the citizens. There Is no rea-'
son that life and property should not be
protected on an election day on any
other in the year. That troops may not
be used to drive men from the polls who
are exercising their rights of suffrage will
not be denied. But that they may be used
to prevent bloodshed, riot and intimidation
is equally true.
In the quotation from Mr.. Cooley, by
the commissioners, 1t is said: 1t is conse-
quently of the highest Importance the pres
ence of military at the polls be not suf-
fered except in serious emergencies when
disorders exist or are threatened for the
suppression or prevention of which the or
binary peace force Is Insufficient
1T will be observed that no soldiers were
present at the polls, and even If they had
been, under the authority laid down by Mr.,
Cooley such presence would have been
legal -