Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-14
KENTUCKY ELECTION TANGLE
Democrats Purpose Throwing Out the
Entire Vote Of Kuox County.
INJUNCTION AGAINST SUCH ACTION
Legal Complications Are Likely to
Arise in johnson and Lewis Coun-
ties, where Democrats Are
Charging irregularities.

mercial tomorrow will say 1t has received
official returns from four more counties,
making 1l5 out OF the 119. These four coun-
ties, Rowan Knox, Johnson and Floyd show
net gain of twenty-three fer Taylor over
the Commercials unofficial returns. This
added to the previous figures, 3,l11, gives
Taylor Il plurality of 3134 in the state. In
this estimate four counties, Jefferson, Lewis,
Manifee and Harrison, are unofiically re-
ported.
According to the Commercials adviccs to-
days appeal to the court in Knox county
resulted in the certification of the vote of
that county by the election officers.
LOUISVILLE, KY, Nov. 13.-The, tangle
growing out of last weeks election grows
worse with each day. This was the third
day of the official count but the work of
the county boards of canvassers disclosed
little information to clear the situation.
Chairman Long of the republican campaign
committee today repeated his claim of a
plurality of 3111 for Taylor. based on Off
cial returns from 11O counties and unofficial
returns from the remaining nine. The
democratic papers and leaders here have
ceased to give figures, but specials from
Frankfort quote Candidate Goebel and other
party leaders as saying they are confident
of the success of the Kenton county man.
The complexion of the returns to be pre-
sented to the state board of election COM
mssioners when it meets in Frankfort next
month still depends on the determination of
the contests which are being raised in sew
eral parts of the state, notably the strongly
republican counties of the Eleventh district,
where the democrats claim tissue ballots
were used. These contests have aroused
much feeling in the localities affected.
One of them involves the vote of Knox
county which r,lura1ttNy
Today Barboursville the county seat was
visited by hundreds of people interested il
the result their avowed purpose being to see
that justice is done. Counsel for Candidate
Iaylor began action in the Knox county dis
trict court to compel the county election
officers to certify the vote to the state board
OF election commissioners The contention
Is over forty-two ballots from the First pre-
cinct, but the petition filed by Taylors coun-
sci recites that 1t is the election officers
purpose to throw out the entire county.
Judge Brown granted a temporary. injunc-
tion against such action Johnson and Lewis
counties are affected by the democrats
charges of Irregularities and there, too le-
gal complications are likely to arise.
AT Hopkinsville contest over a precinct
which gave Taylor a plurality of ninety
five Is delaying the official return OF the
vote of Christian county, which gave Taylor
a plurality of $50.
Slow progress was made in the count of
Louisville and Jefferson county, the conf
missioners being at work on the Third ward
when they adjourned until tomorrow. Both
sides are fighting every inch of the ground. |
number OF precincts are in controversy on
the grounds of alleged Irregularities. In one
such case, the Seventh precinct OF the Sew
enth ward, the anti -Goebelites secured an
order from Judge Toney to compel the pre-
cinct officers to sign the tally sheets. The
Goebel people, however, claim the ballot
box should be opened before it reached the
county election officers. The vote so far as
canvassed shows little change from the un-
official figures.
Intimidation of COlOred Voters.
The federal grand jury, which was ad-
journed over the election, reconvened this |
morning and was charged by Judge Evans |
regarding election violations particularly
with reference to the intimidation Of col |
ored voters. He recited the case where
charges had reached the ears of the court, !
described the charges upon which the in |
.dictments should be found and continued:
'Conspracies may be hard to prove, but |
1t is by no means impossible to prove them, |
both by direct and circumsantial evidence, |
and If you should find the evidence and in
dict those who engage in these conspiracies
you would get at class of men most likely |
OF higher, or at least of more pretentious
grade, than their tools. This class is far
more dangerous to the community and their
punishment much more desirable in every
way than the others. However, both classes
should be indicted. The highest duty is i'm
posed upon you to vindcate the law and
you will the more efficiently and COM
mendably discharge that duty II you shall
probe matters to the bottom and without
fear or favor indict every man, however
prominent or however obscure who has en-
gagged in any conspiracy to perpetrate the
wrongs denounced by the statute
THE court also suggests to you that 1t Is
by no means impossible for officials of high
or low degree to engage in such schemes, |
and where that is the case the demand for
punishment is all the more imperative be- !
cause an example should be set in the case
OF those who are charged with the enforce |
ment OF the law who make themselves the
instrument of its violation"
FRANKFORT, KY, Nov. Ex-senator Goe- |
bel and the democratic leaders are still !
waiting on the final action of the county |,
boards of elections in jefferson, Christian, |
Knox, Johnson and other counties. 1t Is |
claimed that enough fraudulent votes will
be thrown out in these counties to give
Goebel majority on the face OF the returns,
The city is excited tonight over rumor
that the governor intends to declare martial
law in the event that Knox and johnson
counties are thrown out and that he will
refuse to recognize Goebel as governor un-
der such conditions. This rumor of martial
law is not generally credited, though there
is almost certain to be a serious clash be-
tween Governor Bradley and the claimant.
Exciting Day at Nanceburg.
PORTSMOUTH, o., Nov. 13.-This was
an exciting day at Vanceburg, KY, county
seat OF Leads county twenty miles below
here An effort was made to throw out
the entire vote OF the county, which gave
Taylor a plurality OF 600, on q technicality, |