The times., 1899-12-31
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.

Blackburn in Danger.-Keutuckians
in Washington attach great significance to
events which have transpired at their State
capital during the past two or three days
Chief OF these is the call issued by Chair
man Young for a meeting of the State
Democratic Committee at Frankfort tomor-
row. The calling of the committee to
Frankfort spontaneously with the meeting
OF the Legislature. which occurs tomorrow,
is in accord with an old custom. The pur-
pose always is to advise with the party
leaders in the Legislature on points of
party policy to be pursued during the ses-
sion. But the purpose is always distinctly
stated in the call Chairman Youngs call
does not observe this time -hOuored rule
in this regard. For that reason Kentuck-
tans in this city lock upon the matter with
apprehension and suspicion Former Sena-
tor Blackburn is said to view the omission
with uneasiness. AS soon as friends here
called his attention to it he left Washing
ton suddenly last Thursday for Frankfort
The general opinion is that the omission is
a deliberate trick Of Goebei to subordinate
Blackburns Senatorial aspirations to the
Guhernatorial contest. 1t is explained
that the State Committee is a GOebelite or
ganiZation straight through This being
true 1t is accepted as a certainty that des-
perate efforts viii be made by Chairman
Young to corral the Democratic members
OF both branches of the Legislature in
caucus with the State Committee. and
bind them to an agreement to oust Taylor
from the Governship and declare GoebeI
elected To hold the Blackburn following
firmly in line. it is thought that an essen
tial feature of the programme will be to
"a q ha
if possible. either rush it through before
the 9Th OF February the date on which the
law directs that a joint ballot be taken
for United States Senator. or so involve
the Assembly in wrangle as to make the
election Of Senator on the date named i'm
practicable. OF course this would place
Blackburn squarely behind GOebe in
every consideration and it is feared that
the anti-Goebel members would be so in
turiated by these tactics as to turn on
Blackburn for revenge. The claim is al
ready being made that two representatives
OF this element have openly declared them
selves hostile TO the former Senator
Nobody seems to know anything about the
numerical strength of the anti -GoebeI con-
iingent. It is variously estimated at from
twelve to eighteen The Democratic ma
jority on joint ballot is thirty-tw0. This
shows very narrow margin for Black
burn, in the event that the GOebel tactics
should have the effect that is plainly
threatened. Blackburn s friends here are
hopeful that he can succeed in checking
the game before it proceeds much farther
Some Of them think that for mis- own saliva
tion ne may find it necessary TO boldly re
pudiate GOebel and oppose his being seated
by the Legislature, But there are many
Kentuckians in Washington who from
the inception Of the imbroglio in their
State have predicted Blackburn's de
feat through one course or another
This class contends that what is col
loqUially known as 'the 'Courier-JOur-
nal crowd" supported the Goebel ticket
for no other purpose than 70 compass
the defeat of Blackburn by an adroit
process of manipulation. which is now
manifesting itself in the Tuiuous quarrel
about to break out vrulently al Frankfort
1t is contended that this crowd do not
care particularly who gets the Seuatorship
just so it is kept from Blackburn Though
this group Of politicians were bitterly hos
tile to John Young Brown during his ad
ministration as Governor, yet il is said that
they would gladly throw the election 20
Brown if necessary to defeat Blackburn
The former Governors availability under
the peculiar circumstances is regarded as
unquestiouable. Primarily il is pointed
out that the pronounced anti-Goebel Demo
Gratis could easily be predisposed toward
him The four or five gold Democrats
from Louisville prefer anybody to Black
burn and though Brown is a Is to [ BIZ
metallist. he is said to be acceptable to
them as q compromise. The Republicans.
with no hope OF electiug their man. will.
1t is said, very gladly combine with the
''insuTgent' Democrats on Brown. With
these possibilities in mind there are numer-
Gus Kentuckians In Washington today VINO
expect TO see Brown succeed Senator Will
lam Lindsay. Still former Senator Black
burns friends have not despaired OF his
chances.