New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-11
THE ISSUE OF GOEBELISM.

The dazzling feat Of larceny committed
month ago in Kentucky by William ]. Goebel
promises to play an Unexpectedly important
part In Democratic National politics. When
Mr. Goebel astonshed the Kentucky public by
APPLYING In the Democratic State Convention
the gentle arts and methods Of the Western
train robber, neither he nor his victims thought
apparently. that that workmanlike performance
would attract more than passing attention out
side the State-least Of all that it would enter
National politics as disturbing issue, and af
feet, perhaps, the relations of the more impor
tant party leaders in the approaching Presiden-
tal campaign. So fierce, However has been the
local protest against Goebesm, and so eager
the struggle between the Burglar Candidates
supporters and opponents to attract the ap-
proval Of the National managers, that opinion
In the party at large has already shown de-
cided cleavage and divisions have been en-
couraged which seem certain 10 exercise dis
tracing influence In next years Presidential
canvass.
With his usual forehandedness Mr.. Goebel
was quick to realize the Importance Of securing
a personal Endorsement from the chiefs of the
National organization Accompanied by ex-
Senator Blackburn and Urey Woodson, the Ma
tonal Committeeman from Kentucky, he hur-
ried TO Chicago on July 20 and laid his case
before Ex-Governor Stone and Colonel w J.
Bryan Both the new chairman Of the National
Committee and the party's prospective candi-
date for the Presidency were inclined to listen
TO his appeal for aid. The loss Of Kentucky
this fall would play havoc with all their hopes
and plans for 1900 The State carried by
Mckinley In 1896 IN which the Democratic
party had most fully recovered its ground It's
recapture next year would be gravely threat.
eped by the defeat Of the Goebel ticket And
If Kentucky was TO be lost again In 1900. what
prospect was there OF compromising gains in
other border States like Maryland, West vir-
glnia and Delaware. which since 1896 have re-
manned mistakenly Republican?
The result of the conference at Chicago was
an open letter addressed by Mr.. Bryan to Mr.
Woodson, In which the Nebraska leader pict.
ured the Encouragement 10 the party which
would be involved in reverse in Kentucky this
fall. and entreated all loyal supporters OF the
cause Of silver to sacrifice their sense of per.
sonal injury and outrage to the larger necess
ties of National policy. Mr.. Bryan might have
added truly that such lf-repression was also
demanded by the urgencies Of his own renewed
campaign for the Presidency. Governor Stone
was no less ueclueu I'D urging the DeHiocidte vi
Kentucky TO support the burglar made State
ticket. In letter written the other day he
assures the anti-Goebel Democrats that conven-
ton proceedings are often characterized by
more or less disorder and seeming unfairness'
and reminds them reproachfully that 1t rarely
"becomes a matter Of supreme Importance
whether one candidate or another for party
"honors is successful" Whether Mr.. Goebel
secured his nomination by fraud, force or trick
cry does not greatly interest the chairman OF
the Democratic National Committee. What
concerns him most is that "the loss Of Ken