New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-30
THE OUTLOOK IN KENTUCKY.

rho most turbulent and rlotous Democratic
convention held for wears in Kentucky succeed
cd on Wednesday after full week suuss'e'
+, oor,rlotno q LIST of nominees for State OF
fees and adopting a platform for use Ill INC
Imnortant political campaign when Is 10 oe
fought out this fall in the Blue Grass Colliiiion
wealth. Many previous gatherings OF De'o
orotic delcqates at Louisville had been marked
-, ,iolopt nassion and extreme disorder bur
none ever approached in ugllness OF teHpel Vi
lack Of self control the unruly body which mas
inst concluded its labors. With cnalrnah en-
forcing unfair and arbitrary decisions ana toi-
Grating no appeals with formldapie niiho'i'!
of delegates bent on preventing all progress ~
mere physical din, with general resort "
knives and pistols averted only by the presence
and activity of the police, and win a hoihiiia-
tion for the Governorship made at last through
methods stained by fraud and trickery' 'ne
Domocratic convention of 1899 is likely TO go
into history as one of the most disSraceful tha'
ovor blackened the political reputation OF the
State.
Roth in its spirit and in its outcome the
1ouisville convention discloses how fast ana
how far the Democratic organization in Ken
trcxr has travelled since its surrender to Popu-
lsm in 1896. In the days when the ieadelsHIP
of the marty was confided to men like Beck
Carlisle. Watterson, Knott, Buckner ana Lihn-
saw. Democratic platforms ana Democrat"
nominations fairly reflected the wealth. 'he III
telgence and the culture of the STATE. Inc
elements which, under the leadership OIL 'he
nresent nominee for Governor, captured 'hls
years convention. and with II the machineI!
Of the party, represent, on the contrary al 'nd'
If n m
is most repugnant in the new creed OF br!an'
ism. and all that is most inimical TO the Sta'e
true progress and interest. William Goepei 'he
successful candidate for the nomination lor
Governor. is the first politician or the newer
Kentucky school to force his way into COM
handing prominence Known as tnlcK-anu-
thin follower Of the doctrines OF Bryan ana
Altpeld. and as the author Of the outrageous!
nartlsan election law, which seeks 10 miro
dnca into Kentucky the fraudulent election
nractices so common in States further soutn'
Mr. Goebers elevation to party leadership may
no taken as a notice to the country that the
Kentucky Democracy has definitely cut loose
from all its conservative traditions and cast its
lo+ with the extremists and reactionares in the
marty who have recently come into power In
fine South and Southwest. Mr.. Goebels candl-
dacv brings souarely before the people of Ken
lucky for approval or disapproval the pro-
gramme toward which the Democratic organi-
cation has been drifting for three years past.
For II involves not only an inslstence on me
doctrine of free silver coinage, but threatens
war of taxation against all corporate interests
and the conversion of a hitherto untrammelled
suffrage into some such farce as that now coun-
tenanced in Virginia or Arkansas.
A nomination rejecting such purposes. and
obtained by methods which have kindled In
tense hatred and vndctveness. Will Inevitably
awaken violent opposition both within and
without the Democratic ranks, Since its two
victories of 1895 and 1896 the Republican party
in Kentucky has seemed to lose rather than TO
gain ground. Internal quarrels have been re-
sponsible largely for this perceptlblc with
drawal of popular support. The candidate and
| platform chosen by the Democracy this year
offer the Republicans golden opportunity to
recover their former advantage For in spite
| of the workings Of the Goebel law, Republican
ticket chosen with judgment and supported
! with unanimity will have an excellen; chance
of winning again this fall in the Blue Grass
|