Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-11-06
Louisville Politicians Prepare for
Serious Trouble Tomorrow.
BOTH SIDES WILL Be ARMED
In This Fact Lies the Only Hope
Of Peace.
Special From a stan Correspondent.

Special From STAFF Correspondent.
LOUISVILLE. KY. November 6.-Excite-
ment is at fever heat in Louisville on the
eve Of the coming election. and tomorrow
is looked forward to with apprehension. AS
the most vituperative. vindictive and bitter
campaign which kentucky has known since
the war draws 10 a close men are going
for their guns.
All this is because each of the contending
factions accuses the other of getting ready
10 steal the election. II Is partly the re-
suit Of years Of notOriously fraudulent cleo
ton practices in Louisville, conducted by
both democrats and republicans. Now that
the factions have divided, each one suspects
the other of contemplating the frauds
which they know. from former experiences
of their own. have been committed, and can
be repeated.
The hope for peaceful election probably
lies in the extensive preparations which are
being made to prevent fraud. Where 1t is
known that watchful eyes are present and
guns are handy, held by men who will not
falter In using them, men may hesitate in
committing overt acts.
There is a power of moral suason and
influence for good in double barreled shot
gun loaded with buckshot and held by
six-foot kentuckian with blood in his eye.
My personal opinion Is that the public ten
sion is so strong it will hold VIC ence in
straint. yet II Is easy to see that If 1t should
give way the conditions are ripe for grave
consequences.
Politicians Have Hysterfa.
To an outsider with unbiased mind the
situation in Louisville today partakes de-
cidedly OF the nature of the hystericaL 1t
cannot be said that the newspapers are
alIaying the excitement. The factions are
ready to fly at each others throats and
some Of the newspapers seem to be urging
them on
The local militia is ready for emergencies
tomorrow But there would probably be a
conflict Of authority in ordering the troops
out The city government which is con-
trolled by the Goebel democratic faction,
claims The right to use them. while the re-
publicanS and the Brown democrats say
that Governor Bradley "a republican, has
the right 10 call them out As the militia
men themselves are divided, each faction
Is preparing To get men and arms in other
ways.
Following the preparations of the Honest
Election League In the alleged behalf of
fair election comes proclamation from
the mayor. saying that 1t has been Openly
declared by certain designing persons that
on Tuesday next there will be riot and
blUCdShed in our fair city, and such de-
Signing persons having created unjustIy in
the minds Of some of our good citizens the
fear that there Will be an attempt to de-
feat the true ballot Of the citizens. and by
force. violence or intimidation interfere
with the lawful rights Of citizenship" He
IQeTEQpDD announces MS intention OF pre-
venting fraud. He belongs to the GOebel
faction, which is charged by the repubH-
cans and Brown democrats with contem-
plating the frauds.
VIII Ask Federal Aid.
The republicans and their allies will call
upon the United States marshal for federal
aid. if necessary one of the republican
organs edited by the adjutant general of
the state. advises as follows: Let few
representative business or professional men
be present at each voting place. II the po-
Ice fremen attempt to interfere with
the orderly conduct Of the election the citi
zens should not hesitate to use force to re-
siSt such Interference, and at the same
time they should send one Of their most
spectacle men to make complaint before
the United States commissioner and have
the dfsrurber arrested by United States
marshal
II is charged by the GoebeIites that the
Honest Election League has rented halls
IN various sections of the city wherein TO
mass men who upon call can proceed To
threatened point.
This Is quite likely The league has mace
secret qrepara tiOns which are not publicly
discussed To do whatever may be necessary
to secure a fair election.
The only way il which the United States
marshal could interfere, lawyers tell me.
would be upon warrant charging the
denial of the franchise To COlored men.
So the federal officials Will hardly take
hand. the marshal and the district attorney
having both left the city for their homes
to vote. Gov Bradley is evidently getting
ready TO adopt stern measures if necessary
Advices from Lexington today are that
the 2i Regiment has been ordered to be
IN readiness 10 move at moments notice
Cloud May Blow Over.
Conversations during the day with con
servatiye men Of all factions confirm my
earlier impression that the elaborate prep
arations for trouble will tend 10 prevent
disorder, rather than otherwise. as the
leaders Will hesitate 10 bring on conflict.
The greatest fear is that irresponsible per-
sons might start trouble which, gathering
hoadway. would precipitate general con-
fiict Louisville is the center Of interest in
the state now, and the campaign will be
closed tonight with speeches by the big
men of both sides Gov Bradley and Cam
didate Guebel VIII address audiences to-
night, and Brown orators viii hold forth
in several halls. The feeling among the
Brown democrats has been intensified by
the refusal u4 the election commission to
allow them 90 have chaIlengeTs in the cleo
tton booths. They Will have 10 depend
upon tho republican officers, and thus the
alliance Is constantly growing. In Louis
vile the majority Of Jhe Brown democrats
VIII Vote tho straight republican ticket, 1t
Is thought
Today nothing Is talked about in Louis
Vile except the coming election but the
question OF majoritics is overshadowed by
the greater one which every man asks