The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-07
Goebel Bids for Negro Votes.

A dispatch from Louisville, N.Y.
states that for the first time IN the
history of Kentucky politics. Dem
ocratic candidate for Governor has
made bid for some of the lO,OOO
votes cast in this State by black men
over 81 years of age. William Goebel
is the man to break the record.
Heretofore the Democrats have
been more than satisfied to let the
black vote hang like a mlll5tone
about the neck of Republcanism
Ii has never seemed necessary to
raise the cry OF white supremacy IN
local fights. because there are fewer
negroes and more white Republicans
in Kentucky than in any other South
ern Stote, excepting Tennessee. The
Democrats have never failed to hold
the negro up as a political object.
lesson. The fact that the colored
voter pitched his tent in the Re-
publican camp has done much to
hold Kentucky Democrats in line.
Consequently there was widespread
surprise some days ago when Goeoel,
both in person and through his lieu
tenants on the stump, began to make
overtures to the negroes. Democrats
of the old school gssped IN aston
ishment. But Goebel. as he always
does, kept his counsel, aud, unS'ded'
mapped out his line of battle.
Through his chosen speakers be IS
telling the negroes that not only IS be
the friend of the poor man, black
aud white, but that he intends, II
elected Governor. TO use all the
power and the influence Of the execu
tive to accomplish the repeal OF the
separate coach law. The negroes,
almost TO man, oppose the Jim
crow carr measure, as 1t ls called.
and Goebel's friends are claiming
that his stand against the law will
bring him 10 900 negro votes on cleo
ton day. The only Republican Gov
ernor Kentucky ever had has never
once during his term Of office given
utterance to any argument against
the separate coach law, although 1t
is regarded as a distinctive Demo
cratic meAsure.
Anti-Goebel Democrats are loud ia
their protestations that Goebel desn
count upon winning any negro votes.
They say be expects. through tue
workings of his election law, to cut
out many Republican votes and add
them to his side of the election day
ledger. "Tnen," say the anti'Goe'
bel Democrats, "Goebel will explain
the falling away Of Republican
strenth in Republican strougholdS by
saying that the negroes voted Tor
him" A number of negro preachers
aud lawyers have been put on the
stump for Goebel, and in the larger
cities and towns efforts are being
msde to organize Goebel negro clubs.
Itis like Goebel to depart from the
traditions of his party. He is one
man who cares nothing for old idols.
Goebel follows his own ideas re-
pardless of what others think. de
asks no advice and he accepts none
Goebel differs from any and every
other man ever nominated on the
Dem ocratic ticket for Governor In
this State. His personality stand out
boldly in the midst Of contending
Dem ocratic factions. Kentucky Dem
ocrats have often gone out OF their
way to honor the sons OF old pioneer
families and the members OF the
landed aristocrscy of the Blue Grass
State. The Bourbon regime, so long
honored in Kentucky politics, was
made up largely of Southern caval
iers with long line of bonored fore
fathers. They were brave Conted-
crate soldiers, who smoked well often
drank deeply, played game of cards,
and talked in well-rounded ,oratorics
phrases. Eloqueuce and grace were
their birthriRht.
William Goebel is the son OF poor
Pennsylvania emigrants, aud began
life as a bootblsck on the streets of
Covington, Ky. Finally. by perse =
verspce and hard study, he obtained
,al treatment. he~use. and = entered
improved in health. x Y.
latiye aud politicar 07===77-T .-l
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