Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-08-29
Kentucky Democrats Petition Rival
Candidates to Withdraw.
OFFER COMES FROM THE "BOLfERS"
indications Are That the Goebel
, Faction viii Ignore It.
FIGHT is WAXING WARM
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

LOUISVILLE KY. August %, 1899.
The newest phase of the Kentucky polit-
ical contest is the circulation in ali parts
Of the state of petitions calling upon Sena-
tor William Goebel and the remainder OF
the ticket he heads and ex-Gov. John
Young Brown and the so-called ''bolters'
ticket to withdraw and permit the holding
of new democratic state convention,
which can nominate a ticket on which the
democrats of all beliefs will unite.
This movement is the result of the prop
osition made by Gov. Brown in his speech
of acceptance at Lexington that he could
suggest harmony plan on which all could
agree. That was that he BROWN and Goe-
bel at once quit the race and permit the Sc
lection of a full ticket to which no objec-
tons could be offered by any of the demo-
cratic factions.
This suggestion first acted upon by
DR.. John B. Hall. influential democrat
of Hopkins county, who circulated the in
ital petition in his home community. There
COO Sgners were secured without effort, all
representative party men. The work has
been taken up in other localities, until, as
stated in the opening paragraph Of this let
ter. it has become general. leaders in nearly
every county having become interested in
the effort to promote harmony and secure
unity of action.
1t is stated however by Senator Goebers
1rfenQS tnat ne Will ignore tnlS Suggestion,
just as he is ignoring the "bOlters' and
their speakers whenever and wherever he
meets them.
Petition VIII Hurt Goebel.
Though 1t is not expected that this effort
will bear fruit, it is claimed by the pro-
meters of 1t that it will show which of the
candidates within the democratic party is
the stubborn one, and which Is resisting
the efforts of his party to bring order out
of chaos and victory out of defeat. There
are many Goebel supporters who insist
that if Mr.. Goebel ignores this request
they will withdraw their support from his
ticket and refuse to be party to the dis
ruption Of democracy in Kentucky Since
the offer came first from the Brown side it
Is expected that a rejection of it will
strengthen the Independent or boiling
movement.
1t is claimed now by political wiseacres
that Senator Goebel contemplates the COM
piete overthrow of the present organiza ton
within his own party if he is successful in
his race for governor. and the setting up Of
as complete a political machine as ever
f1ourished in Ohio, Pennsylvania or New
Goebel will about September l have re-
moved all election commissioners appointed
under the Goebel force bill'' who are not
| In sympathy with the Gocbel style of poll
tics, and who are not supporters of the
King of Kenton."
This machine is expected to be a model
of its kind and if put in operation is ex-
pected to control every office in the state
of any consequence. One Goebel man stated
last week that with Goebel election COM
mlsslonerS on guard in all counties in the
state and sentine,s on all the watch towers
1t would be impossible to ENCOMPASS the
defeat Of the music hall candidate for gov
ernor Whether this will prove true or not
however, remains to be seen
From the same source it is learned that
Mr.. Goebel will, if successful in November
name democratic pdi6ata
gress in all the eleven districts. And if
the reports of the Kenton county leaders
intentions are true there some sensa-
tional surprises in store for the democratic
politicians of Kentucky.
Browns Friends Pleased
Gov. Brown has opened his campaign, and
his followers claim to be greatly pleased
with the crowd that he brought together
at Bowling Green Saturday and the effects
of his first speech.
Gov. Brown will try to speak in two
three or more county seats in every con-
gressiOnal district, and will not stop until
the night before the election.
Other Brown orators are the stump
this week and still others are to be sent
out next week. The Goebel men in the
meantime are letting no grass grow under
their feet. They hustlng early and late
and are leaving no stone unturned to effect
the most comp etc party organization ever
known in Kentucky. They claim to be
thoroughly pleased with the result of the
campaign thus far. and say the disaffec-
ton is disappearing.
On the other hand, there are Indications
and facts presented daily that show all too
plainly that the dissatisfaction is not be-
ing minimized or the boiling movement
weakened. That the revolt is gaining
strength leaders from all parts of Ken
lucky who report at campaign headquarters
admit, some of them being Goebel partisans
Republicans Working Quietly.
The republicans are working quietly
pitching their fight on the Goebel bill and
on Goebelism, but saying never a word
that can hurt the feelings of the boiling
democrats. Instead special invitation is
given the disconnected ones by Gen. Tay-
Tor, the republican nominee in each speech
he makes to join the republicans ''in their
efforts to stamp out bossism and the in
iquitouS Goebel law
The populists open their campaign next
week. The prohibitionists are already at
work.
This is the situation In the first week of
the campaign.
The moral issue of the campaign has
during the past week attracted more at
tention than any other. The attack of two
or three Goebel organs on Baptist ministers
of wide prominence who had made speeches
in Baptist associations opposing Mr. Goe-
bel has stirred churchmen of all sects. The
attack of the Shelby Sentinel on Dr. Ker-
ioot, the president OF the state lnterdenom-
national Association, which represents
$1,000 members, resulted in the filing of
suit for $4,000 damages by the preacher
against the Sentinel on the charge of libel.
That this development has injured Sena-
tor Goebel's chances considerably many of
his friends admit, but they say it is not
as extensive as it seems and that it will
be overcome
The Goebel men expect the visit of Mr.
Bryan to right many so-called wrongs
They expect, in other words, that the Ne
braskan's visit will bring into line hundreds
of lukewarm democrats who now OPP
posing the candidate from Kenton. On the
other hand, the friends of Brown are max
ing arrangements to combat the effect of
Bryan's visit with speeches from imported
orators of national prominence whose
names have not yet been made public but
1.-The announcement of whose coming" it
is promised. will bring CONSERVATION
into the ranks Of Goebeism.'