The record-union., 1899-12-06

FRANKFORT, Dec. 5.-The State
Board of Election Commissioners, sit
ting as a canvassing board, finished its
work at o'clock this afternoon, and to-
morrow morning at IL o'clock the
members will sit in the State Senate
chamber as a contesting board, to hear
arguments in the cases of eleven con-
tested counties. The first Of them Will
come up on whether or not the board
has right to go behind the certified
returns, filed with the Secretary OF
Stats, by the different counties.
On the issue of the argument of this
point will rest the name of the next
Governor of Kentucky. On the face OF
the returns now on file with the Sec
rotary of State, Mr.. Taylor has a plu-
rality of 1888, his total vote being
1914, against 191, 331 for Goebel. If
there is to be no "going behind the
returns, the board will have no option
but to issue the certifcation of election
to Taylor. If the board decides that it
has the power to go behind the returns,
there is no telling who will receive the
certificate. 1t will depend entirely up
on the results of the contests to be de-
cided before the board, and the matter
will without doubt be carried for final
settlement to the State Legislature.
Before the meeting began the Eiec-
ton Commissioners sent the following
letter to Governor Bradley:
His Excellency, Governor Bradley,
Governor of Kentucky-Sir: Since the
Board of Election Commissioners con-
ssvened in this city yesterday it has been
persistently asserted in the public
buildings and on the streets of this city,
as we'll as published in the newspapers,
that a body of armed men in citizens
garb have been brought here with your
knowledge, by your consent, or with
your approval, to stand by with view
of overawing this board while it dis
charges the duties imposed upon it by
law. These reports. though emanating
from Republican sources, have not, sc
far as We know, been denied. Under
these circumstances we hold it to be
our duty to inquire directly of you
whether or not there is any truth or
semblance of truth in the reports to
which we herein call your attention.
WILLIAM S. PRYOR,
ct. w. ELLIS,
CHARLES 3. POYNTZ
State Board Of Election Commits
sioners''
Governor Bradley wrote the following
reply, which he carried personally to
the board room and handel to Judge
Pryor, Chairman of the board:
Gentlemen: regret very much that
you should have for one moment be-
Heved the malicious lie that has beer
circulated, and of what you speak
have absolutely become wearied by con-
tradlcting the lies of a partisan press
You should know me we'll enough to
know that don't resort to any such
clandestine methods, and especially you
should know that the report is false, in
view of the fact that l waited upon the
Chairman of your board yesterday
and offered, if he desired, to ex-
clude all persons except those who had
business in the department from the
buildings. 7ar'
ANY statement that any men or sci
of men have been brought here with
my knowledge, consent or approval, tc
stand by with a view of overawing the
board is a malicious lie have
brought no men here for any purpose
and no man Is here by my order
see 1t stated in the papers that certain
members of the State Guard are here
In citizens clothes. l have seen sew
raj officers here, but they are here in.
dividually, and not as members of thai
organization and not on any comm
vance on my part. Instead of intimidat-
ing, I am ready at all times to protect
any officer of the law in the discharge
of his sworn duty.
wv o. BRADLEY
AS he entered, Governor Bradley in.
quired:
Can L interrupt the board a mo
ment- 1 want to make public state
ment.- I received your communication