The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-03
GOV. BRADLEY'S DEFENCE.
HIS COURSE IN REGARD TO THE CLAY
COUNTY FEUD EXPLAINED.

No Use, He Says, to Call the Kentucky Legis-
lnture IN Extra Session, because 1t Has
So often shown Its Unwillingness to
dive the Go&ernor Adequate Power.
LEXINGTON. KY. Aug. 2.-Gov. William o.
Bradley has given out a statement in which he
vigorously defends his course In the troubles
In Clay-county and denounces the Democratic
Legislature for it's refusal to enact laws under
which the Governor could take the steps
necessary to suppress the feud. The state
ment was brought out by continued criticism
by the Democratic press and the condemna-
ton OF his policy in calling out the troops
during the Senatorial contest two years ago.
Regarding the criticism for not calling a
special session OF tho Legislature to enact
proper laws he said:
In my first message to the General Assem-
bly, attention was called to the mob spirit
abroad In the State and the Legislature asked
for appropriate remedy. but that recommended
ton was unheeded. At that session special
message was sent to the same body on the
Same subject. which was ignored. At the
called session the same and additional recon-
mendations were submitted These were
ignored in part. but what was known as the
Martin bill. more particularly directed against
turnpike raiders. was passed. The next regu-
lar session OF new Legislature came in. and
again recommendations were made on the
noticed, and that body repealed the only efrec-
tive section Of the Martin bill and came within
a few votes Of repeating 1t over the Governors
veto The majority Of that Legislature was
thoroughly partisan.
=, For the first time in the history OF the State
the governor recommended that penal and
charita BILE institutions be lifted out Of politics
as had been done in many OF the States to their
great betterment. but instead Of adopting that
suggestion the most partisan prison measure
ever heard OF was passed. by which the Repub-
nfad In
Some time ago through the public press.
Clay county and other similar troubles was TO
pc found In legislation. but up to this time he
has with one or two executions failed to hear
any suggestion from tho members Of that
body or to receive any assurance OF their 90
operation. During the session OF the late Dem
ocrattc Convention he wrote letters to several
MON ers ofthe General Assem- bly, who were in
attendance suggesting a conferences concern
ing these matters. not one OF which has ever
been answered. and that convention. while he
demned him in it's platform for not being able
to maintain peace in the state. and. in addition.
condemned him for calling out troops during
the legislative session Of 1888.
Under the circumstances, have rot up to
this time felt that a session OF the Legislature
Good sso put tss
ment have steadily and faithfully iabored
to the O. hs nv
repeatedly asked for Legislation. which has
been denied. The newspapers which SO loudly
cratic Governors during the Rowan and Perry
county feuds. and this condem nation 10 only
another evidence that the calling Of a legisla-
nasn whom II. Dominant p p f in the Less
lature has, condemned tho Governor in ad-
vance. would avail nothing. for admission on
their part that legislation 10 necessary would
be a nat contradiction to their assum ption that
the Governor is 10 blame"