The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-06
KENTUCKY'S MANY CONTESTS.
BOARD TO TAKE THEM UP TO-DAY
COUNTY ny COUNTY.

Taylor Has Plurality of 2,3s3 on the
Face of the Returns-If the Board
Has No Right to Determine Con-
tests Taylor win Get the lCertih-
cate; Otherwise the Outcome Is
ProbIematIc-WnI Finally Go to
the Legislature.
Frankfort, KY, Dec. 5.-The State Board
of Election Commissioners, sitting as
canvassing board, finished its work at
o'clock this afternoon, and tomorrow al
II o'clock the members viii sit in the
state Senate chamber as a coniesting
board, to hear arguments in the cases of
eleven contested counties.
The first great fight will come up on the
question of whether or not the board has
the right to so behind the certified re-
turns, filed with the Secretary of State
by the different counties.
Upon the issue of the argument on this
point wil rest TIE name of the next Gov
ernor of Kentucky. On the face of the
returns, now on file with the Secretary of
State, MIR. Taylor has a plurality of 2,SSs.
his total vote being 1874. against 1881
for Goebel.
If there is TO be no "going behind the
returns the board will have no option but
to issue the certificate of election to Tay-
lor If the board decides that 1t has the
power to go behind the returns, there is
no telling who will receive the oertlh-
cate. II will depend entirely upon the
results of the contest, to be decided be-
~ A..
out doubt. be carried for final settlement
to the state Legislature, which meets
next month.
Bradley Before the Board.
The morning proceedings were enlivened
by Gov. Bradley who made an address TO
the board regarding the statement that
he he'd brought soldiers into Frankfort
Before the meeting began the Election
Commissioners sent a letter 20 Gov. Brad
ley inquiring as to the truth of the re-
port. Gov. Bradley wrote a reply which
he carried personally into the board room
and handed it to Judge Pryor. chairman
of the board.
1t denounced as a malicious lle' any
statement that any troops had been
brought to the city with his consent or ap-
prevail He admitted that several officers
were on hand, but said they were here in
dividually and not in uniform. He de-
clared it to be his intention to see that no
officer was intimidated in the discharge
of his sworn duty,
After leaving the commissioners room
crowd Of spectators who 6lled the outer
office of the Secretary of State.
Now, boys" he said, you know they
are talking about intimidation and I don't
really think it is wise for you to come
here. OF course, we all know you would
st,Rs. rlot1
well that there should be no arrest"
In obedience to the suggestion the
crowd, which comprised as many Demo
Gratis as Republicans, quietly left the
Office.
Counties That Are Contested.
In addition TO the counties passed yes
terday for argument before the contest-
ing board the counties of Hopkins, Jeffer-
son. johnson, Knox, Lewis, Ma Coffin and
Martin were passed to-day. Harlan coun-
ty was among those passed yesterday the
Democratic attorneys promising TO an
nounce to-day the nature of their evidence
against the legality of the vote in th5t
county. Judge HaTgis declared, however,
that the evidence had not been received
and that all objections TO the vote of Har-
Ian county were Withdrawn. Hopkins
county was passed because of irregulari-
ties in two precincts.
Jefferson county, in which Louisville is
situated was passed without argument
Johnson and Knox counties were passed
because of the alleged use of ballots print
ed on tissue paper, which allowed the
votes to be discernible after the ballot was
folded. Lewis county was passed because
of Irregularities charged in the making out
of returns in two precincts. Magoffin
county was passed on the charge that
tissue ballots were supplied TO voters.
Martin county was passed upon the re-
quest of ex-Gov. McCreary, one of the
Democratic counsel. He stated that he
was unable to give the exact allegation
which would be made against the vote of
this county, but promised to have it to-
morrow. No objection was offered by the
Republicans.