Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-02-08


more. He died Saturday from the ei
fects of the wound inflicted with
rifle shot, by parties unknown, Will
he was walking to the state house
Beckham was the lieutenant-goyerno
on the Goebel ticket. To understand
the matter fully a short review 0
events in Kentucky is necessary.
William Goebel was a leading Dem
ocratic politician in Kentucky. ii,
had made fame and fortune at the ba
before his entry to politics. He made
specially Of fighting big corporations
especially railroads. He was elected {
state senator in the legislature. Among
other measures that he put through
was what is known as the GOebel cleo
ton law. Its avowed object was tC
fix the elections so that the Democrats
could hold the state. 1t placed the
control of the elections almost wholly
within the hands of the Democrats. A
few election commissioners were to
canvass the whole vote of the state and
announce the result. In case Of a con
test, the legislature was to decide.
Having passed this law, Goebel set
out to become governor himself. lie
had many enemies in his own party.
When the nominating convention as
sembled, Goebel had less than a third
Of the delegates. But he was not
daunted. There were three candidates.
Goebel made an alliance with one OF
them and they Joined forces against
the leader. Goebel agreed that his
ally should have his support for the
providing the latter would
allow him to organize the convention.
He organized it, accordingly, and then
he threw out enough delegates against
whom contests had been made so that
in the end he actually controlled the
Then he went back
on his word and had himself
nominated.
OF course this produced a great up
roar among the Democrats. Many of
them declared they would not support
him at the polls. The Republicans,
who had had little hope of carrying
he state, took courage when they saw
heir opponents divided and nominat-
I'd Taylor. A very warm contest was
waged. When election came, the re-
suit, was very close, but it seemed
Gear enough that Taylor had received
4 small plurality. There were charges
Of fraud, corruption and intimidation
in many precincts. The Goebelites
tried to have enough Tay lor votes
thrown out to elect Goebel, but the
election commissioners accepted the
returns on their face and gave Taylor
the certificate and he was sworn in.
Did this satisfy Goebel? Not a bit
He turned to the legislature, which
was Democratic in both branches and
lad been made more so by unseating
several members not in sympathy with
he leader. A committee was appoint
I'd to investigate, made up very largely
IF Goebel men. After an investiga-
ion, it was ready to make its report,
which, as was well known, would
avor Goebel. just then Goebel was
shot. II is not certain that the shoot
NC was the result Of plot, but it oc-
'urred at so opportune a moment as to
induce such a belief, though it is not
that Taylor or the other
leaders had any toreknowl- |
,dge or hand in it. 1t was probably
lone by some of the lawlcss element
hat had been attracted to the capital
" the excitement and who were de-
ermined that Gocbel should not get
he seat. But Taylor proceeded to |
axe advantage Of the affair at once.
some turmoil naturally resulted from
he shooting and Taylor called out the
tate militia. The Republicans seem
o have a pretty thorough grip on the |
military arm in Kentucky. Instead OF
Erecting the militia to keep the peace !
md prevent disorder, merely, Taylor
ssued a proclamation declaring the
legislature adjourned on account of the I
tate of instruction that he alleged 1
Nisted. He directed it to meet Tues /
lay at London, instead Of Frankfort. 1
The legislature disputed the right of
he governor to adjourn it in this way
md tried to meet, but the militia
would not allow it TO assemble either
t the capital or elsewhere. At length /
nough OF the members signed a state
nent to the effect that Goebel was
ightfully elected to comprise a major
ty. and, backed by this, one of the
judges administered the oath to Goebel
wo days before he died. Taylor still \