The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-11
ELECTION CASE.
GOV. BRADLEY REPLIES TO BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS.
Says He Did Not Equip Legion That
II Might He Used NJ the Polls
Acted So That the Orders of
Judge Toney Would He Enforced

FRANKFORT, KY. Dec. 10.-Gov.
Bradley gave out lengthy statement to-
night, In which he says:
THE state board OF election commits
sioners. after having expressly stated
that they possessed no power to go be-
hind the returns, has seen fit to express
their serious disapprobation Of my con-
duct In calling out the state guards. 1t
is q source OF profound regret that these
gentlemen do not approve my course. for
nothing il to be SO much desired as their
approval.
mot contenting themselves with an ex-
preston OF disapprovai. however. they
characterize my conduct as reprehensible
and yet they say that they should not
form opinions, and have not the right to
form them on ex parte affidavits. Either
these gentlemen formed their opinion On
ex parte affidavfts, or, what is worse, the
reports of a partisan press, agreeing
with the board that they could not 60
behind the returns In certifying the re-
turns In certifying the result. No effort
was made to present the facts concern
Ing calling out the state guard. But as
they have seen proper to overstep their
duties In order to express condemnation,
I will now give to the public the facts
In the case"
Gov. Bradley goes on to say that he did
not equip the Legion in order that they
should be used in this election. but that
several companies had been organized
and equipped months before the election.
One. the Legion Cor First Kentucky regi-
ment), had been unable to obtain an
armory until one week before the cleo
tion and for that reason they were not
furnished equipment until that time.
THE statement that 1 went to Louis
Vile to call out the guard" says Gov.
Bradley, was and is a malicious false
int mt ia for ms n
speak at three places in the city on Sat-
urday night before the election, and
went there to fill them. After having
spoken. a number of the citizens asked
me to remain over and speak at the Aud
itorium Monday night. which I agreed to
do, and the fact was announced.
Meanwhile, before Monday night, the
press Of the city showed very great Bit
terness and excitement. The mayor is
sued proclamation saying bloodshed
was apprehended and extra police were
appointed. On Monday some eighty-sev-
en- election officers were summarily re-
lieved and this added greatly to the in
tense excitement already prevailing
Gov. Bradley says that he only ordered
troops to assemble in Louisville and later
at Covington after affidavits had been
presented to him by citizens stating that
soldiers were necessary to help the civil
authorities maintain order and protect
the lives and property of the people In
Louisville the troops we're not permitted
to go to the polls, except after they had
closed them, only when Judge Toney
informed him that his orders admitting
Republican inspectors to witness. the
count had been contemptuously, ignored.
II ordered out the troops to enforce
the orders Of Judge Toney, but owing to
delays and Observation-Disclosures they did
not leave the armory until after o'clock.
When they did leave nearly every
polling place in the city had been de-
serted and in no instance did they use
any force or intimidate any human be-
ing"
I'm no instance" concludes he, Ibid
order the election to be interfered with.
or soldiers to be sent to the polls. but
gave only such orders as were necessary
to preserve the public peace and the lives
and property of the citizens"