The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-26
The kcntucI.r situation.

The Kentucky situation.
It will not be many days before the
American people will have a chance 20
learn how far the trust Administration is
prepared to go in the suppression Ct our
free Institutions Its bold and unblushing
attempt to violate the plain letter of the
Constitution in depressing the American
territory Of Porto Rico would sem to jus
tify the opinion that it will stop at nothing
in carrying cut its purposes. There is a
possibility, however, that a point might lie
reached at which it would feel the uecessi-
ty for halt. in the presence Of national
and no1-partisan resentment and wrath.
Perhaps this is only possibility. since we
find the Administration and its associates
in Congress deiantly determined to force
the PAYNE Foraker infamy to passage, not
withstanding an excited and vehement ad-
verse public sentiment throughout the
country.
on Saturday it was the general opinion
in Republican circles that a way would be
found TO interfere in Kentucky in favor of
the Taylcr insurrecuonists. and that mill
tary preparations were being quietly made
with that end in view. Taylor had advised
the President that two armed bodies con-
fronted each other in Frankfort. and that
there would be bloodshed unless Federal
troops were sent to keep order. Taylor
probably did not trouble himself TO explain
q fact already within executive knowledge,
namely. that one Of these armed bodies
consisted Of his own Iawless banditti. in
insurrection against the State, and that
the other was composed of the civil and
militia forces Of the legal State Govern
ment What he aid convey clearly was
that with a detachment from the Regular
Army to overawe the Commonwealth, he
might be supported in his rebellion, and
maintained in the Executive Building at
Frankfort until after the contested cleo
ton cases had been presented to the Su-
preme Court Of the United States. II is
unnecessary TO remark that such act on
would mean that the cases in question
would not be allowed to reach hearing
until after the Presidential election. " en-.
in the event that II should be desirable to
throw out the vote OF Kentucky On the
pretence Of state Of revolution within
its borders. that could be accomplished.
But Saturday and Monday are not the
same What The powers behind the throne
might have ordered and Mr. Mckinley have
been Wiling TO perform two days ago he
perhaps would hesitate TO do today. On
Saturday the blisteriug evidence Of the dy-
ing and repentant assassination onspirator.
Golden. had not been published to the hor-
ror Of an lberty-l0ving people, ami 10 the
lasting disgrace Of the Hanna nursed Re
publican organization in Kentucky. That
evidence. which here need not be reviewed
in detail as. by this time. il has been read
by nearly every intelligent citizen Of the
country. directly duplicates the bandit
leader Taylor in the plot TO murder Gov
arncr Goebel and enough Democratic mem
bers Of the Legislature to give the Repub-
leans a majority in that body.
It is a sad and startling commentary
upon the moral decadence Of the party
which once marched to victory under the
spotless banner Of Abraham Lincoln. that
in the last days Of the century OF Amer
lean history which he did more to render
Industrious than any other single man. it
has fallen - low that a petted section Of
ID can deliberately - in cold blood plan !
the massacre Of Senators and Assemblymen
at their desks and duty. in order to obtain
a political advantage which would lnure
to the benefit Of their trust masters in 1
en- impending Presidential election. II has /
ODD the appearance Of homicidal madness |
preceding. and Immediately preceding. .
party suicide. Great crimes and criminals 7.
are the products Of o more or less definite /
evolution. IN the connection We are con- .
sidering the evolution began when the /
Pre- sidcucy vas stolen in 1876. and il has I
been progressing through various stages Of /
machine corruption, the bribery or coercion ]
of voters. the purchase OF seats in the Sen /
ate. selling ont the party organization to /
The trusts and m0nonolies. al last to open |
and impudont violation Of the Constitution /.
and the hidgous crime in Kentucky. When we /
look hack through the annals Of the present !
Administration. remembering how it was 1
brought into power with corruption fund 1
amounting 20 sixteen million dollars and /
reflect upon the continued story Of Al 1
,erisu. Eaganism. Sampsonism. the rotten !
beef atrocity. the fever camp felonies the /
-hitewash commissions. the Treasury and .
standard OIL bank scandal and the op- .
preston OF starving Porto Rico at the COM .
naud Of the trusts the wonder is. not that /
such a thing as a conspiracy to butcher
he Democratic members Of the Kentucky
legislature has occurred in the final year
u President MoKinley's term, but that |
5ther phenomena Of like character have not
been observable before.
The story told by The State witness
Golden. on the stand has all the appearance
u straightforward. connected. and fully
,redible narrative OF actual events There
Is reason 10 believe that the State has a
re- enforcement Of other Witnesses in the
who are relied upon to fully
.orroborste Golden. II so, the late de facto
Republican Secretary Of State, who. it is
alleged ncted as general manager Of the
assassination conspiracy, and hired the
persons employed for the murder Of Gov
srnor Goebel and other Democrats. will be
-ery fortunate ia be escapes the extreme
PENALTY OF the law. And the Golden testi-
nony points the finger Of suspicion so
.tronaly az Taylor that he. too, may be In
hanger from the legal arm Of the Common
wealth be has so impuden,ly and wickedly
lched. and stuI dehes in The hope OF bayo-
let ard Calling aid from the chiefs OF his
,arty in Washington.
On Saturday there were good grounds for
relieving that they had determined To ex-