The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-11-07
BRADLEY THINKS 1T SERIOUS.
GOVERNOR WILL WATCH MATTERS
AT LOUISVILLE.

VIII Insure n Quiet Election.
Military Ready to BE Called out.
Bradley Says There VIII BE No
Intimidation of Voters, But Order
Must he Preserved.
Louisville, KY, Nov. 6-Gov Bradle ey, in
his capacity as commander-in-chief of the
state national guard, is the central figure
in the political situation tonight
The Governor believes the situation TO
be SO serious that he will not go to his
home at Lancaster, about hundred miles
from Louisville, to cast his vote to-mor-
row.
"A report was current tonight that all
the companies of the Louisville Legion
the local military organization, had been
ordered to report for duty at 6 O'Clock to-
morrow morning. The report could pot be
confirmed and there was no unusual ac-
tivty among members of the regiment
but the rumor is given significance from
the fact that Gov. Bradley positively re-
fused to confirm or deny it, or to say what
his plans are, beyond an expression con-
tanned in letter which he made public TO-
night.
meeting at the Auditorium tonight,
but changed his mind, giving out the fol-
lowing in explanation of the refusal to at
tend:
Hon. A E. Wilson-My Dear Sir: In
view of the intense public excitement now
prevailing in this city, and the fact that
numerous affidavits of good citizens have
been filed with me showing that there is
grave danger of riot and bloodshed and
that citizens will be prevented by force
and fraud from exercising their right of
suffrage in this city tomorrow, and in
view of the further fact that have been
called upon to act as chief peace officer of
the commonwealth, 1 have concluded that
1t would be improper to deliver an address
this evening.
Il will thank you to assure those who
may kindly honor me by their presence
that l will remain in the city and see that
every voter, irrespective of political opin-
ion, is protected in his right to vote, and
have his vote counted and the public peace
protected at all hazards
Il do not intend to surround the polls
with bayOnets or intimidate voters. / do
intend that they shall not be intimldated,
and will act promptly should necessity
arise Yours, W. o. Bradley"
Feeling Was Aggravated.
Tho disturbed state of political feeling
in this city was aggravated this evening
by the action of the board of election
Commissioners, which is controlled hy
Democrats, in removing eighty-seven Re
publican election officers and substituting
for them names of men. who, it is claimed
by the regular Republican organization,
do not represent the party.
While the commissioners acted within
their technical rights, the removals may
be the cause of trouble tomorrow. The
expectation that the Governor will call
out the militia during the day finds ex-
preston among men of both parties. The
provocation may occur through attempts
of the deposed election officers to ho'd
their places or through conflicts with the
police in some of the down town wards
If the militia is called out, 1t may result
in the closing of the polls by the local
election officers, on the ground that the
presence of the soldiers prevented free
expression of popular will. Or, if the polls
remain open, it may result in action by
the state election officers, in throwing out
the vote of Jefferson county on the same
ground of military Interference. In either
event, the counting or throwing out of
the Louisville vote, very likely, would de-
termine the result of the election.
Much Apprehension Felt.
A quiet and orderly election may be pre-
dicted for tomorrow.
While the feeling between the factions
is at a rather high tension, the general
apprehension, it is thought, will do more
TO lessen the likelihood of an outbreak
than the precautionary activity which has
been noticeable to-day among those who
are directing the movements of the NUM-
cipal police and the state national guard
If a clash should occur, it is most like
ly to be in Louisville.
AT Bowling Green there has been par
ticularly bitter fight between the Demo-
cratic factions and extra police have been
sworn in. But at this and other larger
towns nothing more serious than the usual
1 election casualties is expected.
In Louisville the greatest feeling has
been aroused. One Democratic faction
controls the police while the other has
made the alleged interference of these Of
lcers with the local primary and election
machinery one of its principal campaign
cries. Mayor Weaver has issued a proc
lamation appealing for order and caution
ing the police.
Report as to Military.
Gov Bradley is in the city and viii re-
main here until after election. num-
Der of reports have been current to-day
as to orders said TO have been sent to
militia companies throughout the state to
hod themselves in readiness for a cal
The usual detail of men placed on guard at
the armory of the Louisville Legion in
this city at election times is on duty
In this state of preparedness, the au-
thorlties are waiting for the passing of
tomorrow. Beyond the anxiety which
springs from a knowledge of feeling arous-
ed in the campaign and the possibility,
always present in a city election, of trou-
BILE with a certain class of political work
ers, there is nothing TO indicate that the
services of militia viii be required.
The campaign closed tonight with large
meetings, which were addressed by the
state party leaders. The Democrats
crowded music hall to listen to the final
| speeches of their leaders. William Goebel
and Senator Blackburn. The Republicans
held a rousing meeting at the Auditorium
where the candidates and others spoke.
Each of the state chairman predicts sue
cess for his ticket. The vote for the Brown
| Democratic ticket IS an unknown quantity