The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-06

HOIST BY THEIR OWN PETARD.

HOIST BN THEIR OWN PEIAkD.
About two years ago tho Democrats OF
Kentucky determined to pass an election
law which would make It impossible for
the Republicans ever again TO carry the
state 1t was contcndcd that Kentucky
I'm 1896 was fraudulenty carried for Nc
Kinlcy and the Democrats, who, in 1891
rcgaincd control Of the Legislature. swore
that they would enact law which would
make the state safely Democratic for all
time TO come.
In an emergencies there IS a man for
the occasion, and the man for this occa-
sion was William Goebel. now the nomi-
nee of the Democratic party for Governor
Tie framed an election bin. which the
Courlor-Jounal denounced as being one OF
the most outrageous measures that was
ever brought before legislative body
"It IS safe 20 say" said that newspaper
CHAT the annals OF free government VIII
be sought in vain for anything approach
ing Sc in shameless cnrontery and uu-
concealed deformity. This force bin gives
tho voters Of Kentucky not a ray Of
hope. j, makes no claim or show Of fair
ness"
It may be mentioned also as an interest
ing fact that this election law was FASH
toned after the Virginia election law as
model. and the Louisville Dispatch. which
was then the recognized organ of the
regular Democratic party in the State.
was the champion Of the measure. We
remember to have read some Of The Dis
patch's editorials at the time, and on one
occasion it said that the Gocbel measure
was much the same as the Virginia law
and that the Virginia law had worked
with great satisfaction to the Democrats.
But change has come in the politics
Of Kentucky Mr.. Goebel who framed
this bin and who is a modern machine
politician has since been nominated to
be Governor of the State, and by methods
which many Democrats I'm Kentucky de-
clare 10 have been revolutionary and i'm
defiance of every Democratic principle.
The feeling against Goebcl and the meth
DDS which he employed in securing his
nomination have caused such INDICATION
among certain class of Democrats that
many are I'm open revolt. and, ass our read
ers know. an opposition ticket is to DE put
in the field with the Hon. John Young
Brown al its head. The Louisville Dis
patch is now leading the revolt. and the
great fear that the opposition has is that
the Goebel election law Will be employed
against them and in the interest Of fits
author.
in his speech before the Lexington con-
ference the other day Hon. John Young
Brown quoted what the Courier-Journal
had formerly said of the Gocbel election
law. and added:
Was not the writer prophet. Read
that Goebel bul THE machinery is per-
feet with Cos three State Commissioners
to appoint the three county commission
ere. and those commissioners TO appoint
the officers of election. and you have all
heard it boosted not man but what has
hoard 70. even if DE is beaten we can
count him in
We could preach a long sermon from
this text, but it is needless. The lesson
is so plain that &c would be almost a re-
Election upon the Intelligence OF our read
ers should we enter into any extensive
remarks. tt is enough 10 say that some
of our Democratic friends in Kentucky
are now 20 be hoist by theLr own petard.
The serpent which they Rugged to their
bosom has turned TO sting them. 1t must
ever be 50 with AN such laws.