Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-12-04
G0EBEL OR TAYLOR 2.
The Kentucky State Election
Board Will Meet, Today.
Republicans and Democrats Equally
Sure Of Seating Their Man.
The Vote Of Jefferson County Is Keystone Of
the Whole Dispute.

| Frankfort, Ky, Dec. AT noon, tomor-
| row, the state board Of election commits
| sioners Of Kentucky will meet to canvass
| the returns from the last state election
| and to decide whether Goebel or Taylor
| is entitled to the certificate Of election as
governor There is not much probability
| that the matter will be settled tomorrow,
| and it may be Wednesday or later before
certificate is issued The certified re
turns from the county boards now on file
with the secretary of state give Taylor
| a plurality Of 2435, but the Democrats de-
clare that enough Of these votes will be
thrown out and that Goebel will be
| awarded the certificate. The Kentucky
election law is capable Of divers con-
| structions ana the definite conclusion of
the board will rest very largely upon how
It's members decide to construe certain
portions of the statute.
The Republicans assert that inasmuch
as, according to the law, a certificate Of
election is due to the person having the
largest number Of votes according to the
certificates Of the county boards 1t will
be impossible for that board to DO other
wise than return a certificate in favor of
Taylor, he having a majority Of 2i35 ac-
cording to the certificate now on file with
the secretary of state. There is a loop
hole in the very sections upon which the
Republicans rely, which may work against
them. 1t is this: The state board shall
be a board for examining and canvassing
the returns" How the board will con-
strue the word examining is a matter
of doubt.
With the certificates of the commission
ers of jefferson county giving Taylor d
plurality of 3i42 votes was filed mass of
evidence that many of these votes were
Illegal, and it is not among the impOss-
bilities that the state board may so con-
Strue its powers under the word 'eXamin-
ing as to declare that it has the power
TO reject these votes. If it does, Mr.. GOe-
bel will receive the certificate. The main
reliance Of Goebel Is upon contestlng JEFF
ferson. which means the city Of Louis
vile. TINS vote. according to the returns.
showed a plurality for Taylor Of 3i22, and
if the Democrats succeed in having it
thrown out, it means the defeat Of Taylor
and Of every other candidate upon the
Republican ticket.
Quite number of Republicans from
Clay and Laurel counties arrived, to-
ddS, anu ItppI There NOulu De
others in town in the morning. Men of
both parties are very quiet and there
has been practically no buster or
trouble of any kind. 1t is expected that
there will be a large crowd in Frank
fort. tomorrow. in any event, as it is
county court day. which means an ac-
cession of about 1900 to the usual popu-
lation.
John Marshall, the Republican can
didate for lieutenant governor, and a
number of other candidates for state
offices on the Republican ticket. ar
rived. tonight, to watch the canvas of
the votes.
Helm Bruce and Augustus F. Wilson.
the attorneys from Louisville. who will
have charge of the Republican inter
ests before the board. also arrived. to-
night. They said nothing to add to
what has already been printed about
the case. Judge Thomas F. Hardis of
Louisville, and r. f. Peak of Shelby
vile. will represent the Democrats be-
fore the board.