The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-25
KENTUCKY'S BITTER FIGHT.
SONS OF REPUBLICAN, SUCCESS IF
TIE VOTES ARE COUNTED.

carry On Still Hunt-The Silver Issue,
LOUISVILLE. Sept. 24.--The campaign in
Kentucky is being carried on with vigor and
nerceness never known in tho old DAYS when
the only question was the size OF the Demo-
cratic majority. The Republicans are trying
to retain the control they obtained by the cleo
tions OF 1895 and 1906 while the Democrats
have been encouraged by their sweeping VIC
tory In the Congressional elections OF 1903 and
their capture OF the Clerkship Of the Court OF
Appeals In 1897. The struggle between the
sv'o parties Is calling forth their best efforts,
but the most picturesque feature Of the cam
paign 10 the split In the ranks Of the Democrats
and the subsequent nomination Of the ticket
Tor State officers headed by ex-Gov John
Young Brown.
Browns supporters arc drawn chiefly from
the ranks OF the extreme froe silyerites, but
they include mon 30 influential in the State
politics and so thoroughly identified with the
party that the bolt 10 more than regularly
formidable. AS 10 always the case in family
nuarrels. tho strife between the two factions
has become bitter and the chief interest in tho
campaign Is now in this iactional fight. The
campaign is being made personal ono be-
tween the followers OF Brown and Goebel
The Republicans are making their canvass
without especially antagonizng either. and are
ready to Profit from Democratic dssenson.
At this stage OF the cam paign the advantage
seems to be altogether with the Republicans
though three months ago the indications
pointed to an overwhelming victory for the
Democrats. The Republicans wer. then d.
vided into factions. one supporting Gov. Brad
ley and the other loyal to United States Sena-
tor Deboe and DR.. W. Godfrey Hunter. Minister
to Guatemala. Gov. Bradley prevented DIR.
Hunters election to the Senate and also
opposed that OF Mr.. Dehoe. and the quarrel
grew In bitterness after the election for sena-
tor was over. Attorney General Taylor. tho
present Republican candidate for Governor.
and nearly all the other members OF the State
administration. sided with tho Hunter Deboe
party. This caused the Governor to oppose
Mr. Taylor's candidacy. 1t was under such
circumstances that the Attorney General be-
gan his canvass for the nomin alton after all
efforts had failed to obtain a candidate accept
able to all factions. He obtained unanimous
nomination at Lexington in the State Conven-
ton. but his labors did not stop there.
With wonderful political skill he obtained tho
acceptance by Judge Clifton J. Pratt. the
Bradley candidate. OF the nomination for
Attorney General and by John Marshall of
Louisville. that for Lieutenant Governor. Mr..
Marshall represents the Republicans OF Louis
vile. who are among the wenlthiest and most
prominent people socially In the State and who
have been denounced as the kid glove" ele-
ment by the faction which first advocated Mr..
Taylor. The vote OF Louisville is so large and
rho supply OF campaign funds so dependent
hpon the party here that no gains were
spared to secure tho citys support. This
was accomplished by Mr. Marshall's nomi-
hation. while tho addition OF Judge
Plat to the ticket at once brought to
It II not the aid. at least tho acquiescence. OF
Gov. Bradley and his powerful friends. In the
short space OF two months Mr.. Taylor who five
years ago was lawyer In one OF tho poorest
- 4 49, l. IA
nomination for Governor. but also reunited
divided party. healing all antaRonisms and con-
clatinR the rival factions at least to the eItent
OF stopping all active opposition.
While the Republicans were thus brought
together by the skilful hand OF their leader.
the Democrats were being rent asunder.
When the party assem- bled here In convention.
on June Fl. there seemed every probability OF
a harmonious nomination upon the Chicago
platform coupled with an invitation to the
gold standard wing OF the party to unite
against the common enemy. Such was the
Invitation OF the party leaders. and the pro-
gramme was partly carried out. number OF
men who bolted In 1895 taking part In the
proceedings without objection from the freq
silver extremists. Nevertheless the nomna-
ton OF Goebel threw the fat into the fire.
Mr.. Goebels record as the friend Of
Mr.. Carlisle and tho Courier Journal and as
gold-bug In tho early part Of 1896. made him
exceedingly Objectionable to the dyed-in-the-
WOOL sixteen- to % ne-element. The methods
by which he obtained his nomination encour-
aged the bolt. The dissatisfaction was nursed
with admirable skill. the result being the early
announcement OF tho candidacy of eX-Gov.
John Young Brown. for forty years a power in
Kentucky politics, a bitter partisan and man
known the State over typical politician OF
the Kentucky school. The addition to the
ticket OF p p Johnston OF Lexington who was
chairman OF the State Central Com mttee four
years and also a candidate for Governor, added
to tho i'm portance Of the rebellion. Mr.. John
ston is a man OF great wealth and influence and
was made the independent nominee for Lieu
tenant Governor.
The campaign has now been going ON ac-
lively for nearly two months. The Republi-
cans arc pursuing the still hunt policy that
proved so effective when Gov. Bradley was
elected In 1895. They are quietly perfectinR
strong organization while the fireworks and
enthusiasm are left to the two factions OF the
Democracy. The Goebel ticket has been sblo
to bring to its assistance all the party machin-
cry acd great many orators from the South
and West and has covered the State with
speakers. Mr. Goebel himself has scarcely
lost . day from the campaign. and he has
been accom- panied in all his tours by OK
Ssnator J. O. S. Blackburn. Mr.. Blackburn
10 making a fight for his political exist
enee. we'll knowing It must be his last
ono. and having cast his fortunes with Mr.
GoebSl. he is the chief speaker on the stump.
The OF Senator'S magnetism. his wide ac-
quaintance with the voters and his ability as
an orator are useful Offsets to Mr.. Goebel's
qualities OF ooldnesS Of manner. bad memory
for faces and Indifferent capacity Ms . public
speaker. For this reason Mr.. Blackburn. who
was made Chairman OF the Campaign Commit
tee has been taken from oil committee work
and placed exclusively on the stump. For this
reason also the strongest efforts have been
made to bring Mr.. Bryan here.
ThH boiling Democrats have been equally
active In an oratorical way. An attempt has
been made to organize tho State. but their
numbers are so few In some districts that they
have not been able to cover the whole Com
monwealth. In Louisville. Bowling Green.
Lexington and othor cities and even in Gov
2anntnr Gnahal,a own hnnnA the nnnn-