The morning news., 1899-12-11
BRADLEY DEFENDS HIMSELF.
ais ANSWER TO CRITICISMS OF
THE COMMISSIONERS.

Polls in LOuisvilIe-NOt the First
| ed to Armories in Case of Threat
ened Danger-He Did Not Go to
Louisville to Call Out the
| Guards.
Frankfort, KY, Dec 10-Gov. Bradley
tonight gave out a statement in reply 10
the criticism of his action made by the
Election Commissioners in their report
He accuses the commissioners of making
their statement on ex parte evidence. and
says they overstepped their duties In dis
cussing his conduct.
Gov. Bradley denied that the legion was
equipped in order that ii might be used
in the election, and tells at length of the
reorganization of the state militia after
the Spanish war.
THE statement that I went to Louis
vile to call out the guard was and is ma
liciously false Appointments were made
for me TO speak at three places in the
| city on Saturday night before the election,
and l went there to fill them. After hav-
| ing spoken, a number of the citizens asked
me to remain over and speak at the au-
ditorium on Monday night, which I agreed
to do, and the fact was announced.
| Meanwhile, before Monday night. the
press of the city showed very great bitter
ness and excitement. The Mayor issued a
PROCLAMATION. saying bloodshed was ap-
pretended, and extra police were appointed
on Monday. some eighty-seven election Of
ficers We're summarily summoned and this
added greatly TO the intense excitement
already prevailing. Afidavits were hlel
| with me, in which it was stated that on
account of the excited condition of The
| public mind, fair election would not be
given and that free exercise of the right OF
the franchise would be prevented by
| force and fraud
Believed There Was Danger.
''They verify believed that there was
great danger, that many breaches of the
| peace, riots and disturbances would oc-
| cur on the day of the election. They be-
| heved that in order to preserve the peace,
| secure the rights, lives and property of the
citizens it would be necessary to
| strengthen the civil authorities by the
employment of military force by ordering
| into service so much of the state guard as
might be deemed necessary to prevent
such dangers. In this connection they re-
ferred to the proclamation of the Mayor.
| Int bIludNilS luIlQeI stated lDdI am
ants verify believed that the military force
could not be safely placed under the COM
mand, charge or direction of the Mayor,
the sheriff or jailor of the county, or
chief of police.
ION the finding of these affidavits an
order was issued to Col. Charles G. Men
gel to assemble the state guards in the
city of Louisville at the armory. by G
O'Clock a. M, the next day, and hold them
in readiness to protect the lives and prop
erty of the citizens of Louisville. He was
ordered to exercise great caution and do
nothing that the exigencies of the occa-
sion did not absolutely require"
Judge TOney's Order.
Gov Bradley then tells of the precau-
tionary orders given the troops and con-
tinues:
about o'clock, p. M, after the polls
were closed, Judge Toneys commmica-
ton was handed me, in which / was in
formed that he had issued an order COM
manding the election officers to admit the
Brown and the Republican inspectors TO
witness and inspect the count. These or
derS were being contemptuously ignored,
and he called my attention to his inabil-
ity to enforce the orders, so that might
take proper action. On receipt of this COM
munication, l ordered out the troops to
enforce the order of Judge Toney. but
owing to delays and MISUNDERSTANDING,
they did not leave the armory until after
o'clock When they did leave there ev-
cry polling place in the city had been de-
serted, and in no instance did they use
any force or intimidate any human beings,
Not the First Time.
''This was not the first time that troops
have been ordered into the armory at
Louisville and remained there on election
day."
The Governor says exactly similar &C.
tion was taken at Covington. Statements
were sent to him signed by some 800 citi-
zens, reporting that il was necessary for
the safety and welfare of the state and to
avert threatened domestic violence and
other dangers 10 the public interest, to
employ military force in aid of the civil
power in preserving the peace and secur-
ing the rights, property and lives of the
citizens.
Gov Bradley concludes:
"It will be seen that in no instance did
1 order the election to be interfered with
or soldiers to be sent 10 the polls, but gave
only such orders as were necessary to
preserve the public peace and the lives
and property of the citizens.
There is no reason that life and prop
erty should not be protected on election
day as well as on any day in the year
That troops may not be used to drive men
from the polls Nwho are exercising their
rights of suffrage, will not be denied. but
that they may be used to prevent blood
shed, riot and intimidation is equally
true.
TN the quotation from Mr.. Cooley by
the commissioners it is said, 1T is conse-
quently of the highest importance that the
presence of militia at the polls be moi
suffered except in serious emergencies
when disorders exist, or are threatened
for the suppression or prevention Of which
the ordinary 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 dowr
by Mr. Cooley, such presence would have
been legal