The San Francisco call., 1899-12-22
PROTEST OF
THE DEMOCRATS
Dissatisfied With the
Kentucky Results.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

FRANKFORT. Ky. Dec. H.-The ad-
dress 10 the Democracy OF the State, IN
dorsing the contest instituted by Goebel
and other candidates OF the defeated
Democratic ticket. and giving the reasons
therefor was issued tonight. 1t is signed
by former Senator Blackburn, chairman
4 Of the State Campaign Committee; CHAIR
man Young Of the State Centrel and EX-
ocutive committees and all Of the members
of these committees. II says IN part
The state Board OF Election Commissioners.
at its recent session. issued certificates OF cleo
ton 10 all Of the Republican candidates ior
State Offices. but the board expressly declared
in the opinion that II rendered. that II acted
simply a canyassing board without power
or authority, as II construed the law, 20 IN
quirc into the legality or validity or any CON
tested vote. The board expressed the opinion
that II clothed with the authority 10 go behind
the returns and determine the matters IA con
tentiCn. the certificates OF election Wouiu hot
have been issued 10 the parties who received
We feel that in the light Of the action OF this
beard. the Democratic party cannot 10 Tess
than TO carry its contention to the triounals ma,
created by Jaw for its determination. Inc
grounds upon which this contest is based con-
slst Of the protest against the use OF tissue
ballots IN many OF the Overwhelmingly ke-
publican counties Of the State. The use or
. these ballots IS not only IN violation OF th-
letter of the law but Is In utter and open
defiance Of the spirit of the law. and the use
Of these ballots furnishes not only prima facie
but also conclusive evidence u proposed fraud
plain violation ard defiance OF law by the late
Republican Governor OF the state, who while
actively engaged in the making OF stump
/ sIoeches and the prosecution OF a partisan
political canvass. ordered out the militia,
and in violation OF both law and precedent.
assumed personal command q troops IN the
metropolis Of the State. parading the streets
OF Louisville on the day OF the election with
his soldiers and gatling guns, invading the
voting booths and forcing into them, against
the protest Of the lawfully appointed election
officials pretended inspectors and challengeTs,
who the highest court OF the state has de-
cided. had no lawful right 70 he present.
The issuance OF the certificates OF election
I 10 the Republican candidates Is contested upon
the further ground that Federal and also
State Judge. without warrant OF law ana IN
defiance of every prompting Of fair dealing ana
decency interfered with the holding or the
state election: the one by menGcing charges 10
a Grand Jury and by the employment OF
deputy United States Marehals, and the other
bv Issuing every mandamus and Injunction
asked for by the Republican party, which lat
ter judicial acts have been declared by the
supreme judicial tribunal Of the state 70 nave
Another ground is the use in the interest
OF the Republican party OF an immense cor
rrIption fund contributed by the most power
fui railroad corporation OF the common wealth.
whereby many thousands OF votes were bought
against the Democratic party and its candi-
dates because that party. IN the platform
ado pted in its State convention. dared 20 ad-
vocate measures OF relief demanded by the
people Of the commonwealth.