The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-02-01
ay nop BIe sEoTEERs
rHE oornEL ourRAoE.

When the news Of the assassination Of
Senator William Goebel was flashed
over the wires feeling Of horror and
condemnation went with IL. The first
thought was that II was an act Of Repub-
lican desperation TO prevent him from
ousting Taylor from the eovernorship In
which he was recently installed. Second
thought, however. generally seems to
have been that the shot was fred by
some half-demented crank Of the Booth
or GuIteau class who had lost his head
In the excitement which has prevailed
in Kentucky during the bitter contest
since the election. Few Of any party
were ready TO seriously accuse Taylor or
the Republican leaders OF Kentucky Of
completely In the crime.
But the course taken by Governor
Taylor and his aides since Goebcl was
shot down shows that they are at least
determined TO take advantage Of the sit.
uation aud draw whatever advantage
they can from the act, placing them
selves in the position Of accessories
after II not before the crime. This
makes II proper TO scrutinize closely
some Of the acts which might indicate
a conspiracy TO keep Goebe out by any
means, fair or foul.
In the light Of these later develop.
ments the mysterious arrival in Frank
fort Of 1000 men armed with Winchester
rifles. last week, has peculiar signid-
cance. No explanation has yet been
given Of their presence there. They
we're "mountaineers, who came "to see
that justice was done" Governor
Taylor dlsclaimed all knowledge OF their
Identity. Yet they were allowed 10
enter the capital.
They were banqueied at the state
house. They were provided With badges
bearing the portrait Of Governor Taylor.
They were addressed by prominent
politicians OF Gov. Taylor's party. In
TACT, they were expected; they were
given armed possession Of the capital
they were taken In aud treated as allies
Of the Governor and his officials. They
were not soldiers; they were simply
armed anarchists imported 10 override
the laws Of Kentucky.
Some OF them went away Rs mysteri.
ously a. they came. Some staid, and
have slept in and made their headquar-
tors At the state house ever since.
Some Of them were Ia the house, !
from the upper story Of which Goebers
assassin hred the shot which struck
him down. When men attempted 10
enter the building 10 search for the
murderer, groups Of these mountaineers
with Winchester rides their hands
stood In the doors and prevented any
one from entering until the assassin had
had plenty or time to make his escape
What did the Governor and his ofii-
cials doY They made loud outcries OF
horror at the deed they called out the
troopsi but did they make any attempt
TO round upthe occupants OF this house
which contained the murderet2
Not they. squads OF these mountain.
GERS, who had been wearing Governor
Taylor's badge and sleeping In the state
house who were In the house when the
shot was fired, and who prevented any
one from gaining entrance 10 search for
the man who did the shoolingi they
we're allowed 10 walk away with their
rines without interference.
Have any Of them been arrestedg
They have probably returned 10 their
quarters In tho state house. surrounded
BY Governor Taylor's troops for protee-
ion.
The dispatches say that ell the state {
milita has been called 10 Frankfort. 1
'lt was feared that lhe news OF the /
shooting would 80 inhame the Demo. 3
rats that they would come to Frankfort 9
n swAFms, while the mountaineers l
would lose no time in coming to the cap. d