The times., 1899-07-15

Inc NOMINATION OF Attorney GeNeTdl lay
lor as the Republican candidate for Gov
ernor of Kentucky is thought by discrim-
mating observers of politics from the
Bluegrass State in Washington to carry
with ii many elements of both strength and
weakness.
II is remembered that Attorney General
Taylor was comparatively an unknown fac
tor in the political equations of Kentucky
until within the last three or four years.
Up to the day of his nomination for At
torney General four years ago it is said
that he was about as potent a nonentity
in the councils of his party as could have
been selected at the time by the Republican
convention. He was. it is said, one of those
political dark horses who are not infre-
quently entered in political races only
moment or two before the popular bugle
summons the contestants to the starting
point. For this reason it is admitted that
Mr.. Taylor will have the prestige of never
having done anything to awaken personal
hostility in his own party, and will advan-
tage somewhat from the fact that though
little may be said in elaboration of his
political services to the people of his State,
yet there is nothing that may be pointed
to in his career which could be used ef-
fectively to injure him with the people.
He has behind him, it is argued, also the
creditable official record as Attorney Cen
eral-a record which though neither bril-
liant nor in any way remarkable. has been
nevertheless generally acceptable. In a
word. IL seems that the Republicans have
tried studiously to select a candidate who
! do frNrNg -iTrNE
| TO political attack; and it is popularity ad-
mitted that in naming Mr.. Taylor the par
| ty has succeeded in making a nomination
which will be attractive. more than for any
1 other reason, on account OF the respec-
table political obscurity of the nominee.
This disposition to rest securely on the
| defensive and to win the election on the
| policy of letting the Democrats make the
/ mistakes, seems not only to have named
! the candidate but also to have shaped the
| platform. The planks of the frail struc-
ture upon which the Republican candidates
will have to stand. it is thought are about
as weak and unseasoned as political
timidity can make them. Wherever GER
| tain note is sounded il is said to be utterly
/ discordant with the wishes of the great
majority of Kentuckians and, indeed, OF
Americans generally.
The perfunctory declaration in reference
:
dents amendment to the civil service, and
| the unreserved commendation of Algerism
and Hannaism in the National Administra-
| ton. reveal, it is said, all too yiyidly the
sinister purposes of the Republican party,
which the nomination of highly respect
! able unknown" had sought to conceal.
An opportunity viii soon be given the
/ people to penetrate what is alleged to be
the negative attractiveness of such pro-
- y. tc hgl
the result will be one which Republicans
will not be able to contemplate with COM
placency.
1t is said that the Republican candidate
has several unfortunate legacies to carry
throughout the present campaign. Cen
eral Taylor will, it is urged, be burdened
/ with the odiously unpopular Bradley ai-
ministration. He is also heir to certain
political feuds in the Republican party
which have resulted in severe and painful
wounds 1t is said that an effort may be
made to heal the wounds. but that the
scars will remain in evidence for years
to come. II is pointed out that the Brad
ley faction is not altogether in love with
the Taylor following. 1t is known thai
the Bradley and Hunter factions Lave
thus far refused to bury the hatchet II
is admitted that former Mayor Todd ol
Louisville has made no effort to conceal
his determination to get square with his
enemies.
1t is feared that the negro vote OF the
State cannot this year be kept in line for
the Republican candidates Besides these
incidents there is throughout Kentucky q
feeling that seems to resent the peculiar
manner and methods by which the Repub-
lican nomination was made. II is boldly
charged that influences from abroad con-
trolled and dictated the selection of Mr.
TAYLOR. 1t is alleged that Senator Hanna
in all his glory, rarely equaled the auto
cratic spirit which dominated and DOM
ipeered the convention at Lexington. II
is said that the Republican nominees owe
their selection to the gratuitous sugges-
tions and efforts of certain railway and
corporate influences in and out of the
State. In conclusion. it is remarked that
there is in certain Republican sections 4
slumbering distilled opposition to the in
fluences and methods, to the tone and the
tendency of the Lexington convention.
What seemed to be SO harmonious on the
surface will. it is thought, prove to be
only the calm that precedes the storm.
For these reasons it is thought that the
Democrats have no monopoly this year In
the field of discord in Kentucky politics.