The Cape Girardeau Democrat., 1900-05-26
fBECKHAM Is GOVERNOR.
SO the Supreme Court of the United
states Decides In the kentucky
Case.

SO the Supreme Court of the United
states Decides In the kentucky
Case.
The Kentucky muddle has been de-
cided by the Supreme Court of the
United States, and the decision leaves
Be.kham as Governor of the State.
The opinion was delivered by Chief
Justice Fuller, and dissenting opinions
were submitted by Justice Harlan,
Brewer, Brown and McKenna. With
Gut the slightest desire to impugn the
motives Of the court, it would appear
to y iayman that the contention that
the court had no jurisdiction in the
matter Is hardly in accordance with
the rules either of law or equity.
Justlce Harlan covers the point when
he sSys in his opinion. When the
-four enth amendment forbade any
state rom depriving any person of
life, berty or property without due
proe is OF law, [ had supposed that
the 3urpose was to guard citizens
agai1st being deprived of any legal
r'ghtan violation of the fundamental
guarantees that inhere in due process
of LAM" The constitution of Kentucky
provides that contested elections for
Govefner and Lieutenant Governor
shallsbe determined by the general
asse4bly. Upon strictly legal con-
stru4iOa of the matter there is no 60
ing eck of the fact that the legisla-
ture lid decide that Goebel was the
iawfQ governor. There We're enough
Dend4rats on haad TO make this result
certa. They decided the case, not
90 itefnerits but from strictly par
tisan5standpOint. Had the Republi-
cans ben in the majority the decision
wouldsof con,se have been for Taylor.
An ac{ by an individual or by col
iec:ioa of individuals may square
with lie strict letter of ,he law and
Yet aRinjussiee may De done and some
perso1 depeived OF his rights in the
premises. 1t Is in cases of this
char..ster chat our courts of equity
step IN a0d afford the relief which
cannot be obtained in II law court III
can tardly be claimed. We thiuk. by
those famiiiar With the circumstances
in -'.his case THAI either justice or
equity had any pLsce in the decision
oirihe Kentucky legislature on this
point, and a wrong was committed
whicu it seems 10 Us the Supreme Court
should Eave investigated. Th, court
however, rulc> otaerwis, aaG its de-
cisior m7st br accepted rs final
iLere l. one phase OF this subject
which Eigst iii People With al2sm for
safety of our institutions. the purity |
Of the ballot box aad The right net |
i..Une - T"J... bat to have that vote
:"uEted. Taylor was unqucstiGnab!y
si3.teu Governor OF Kentucily. and |
many Goeb-i ,,ar5isans freely admit |
his. The majority received by Taylor
nust nave ben honestly obtained. for
wen had II" 42cpubIicans desired TO
';cisl V"t.s for heir caudidl,e. how
n the naE.@ - all that : curious could
MY DO ii "i' = all the election machin-
~ III the ,;d.e in the hands OF The
i"ebrl Ine'.- II should also BE- re-
cembered -thaL when the Democrats.
y careful a2arin" had reduced the
majority Of Taylor from something
'ver 10000 down to about 2,j0j even
hen the election commissioners who
'ere all Democrats but one. declined
0 have any hand i'll the dirty work
nd gave certificate of election to
'ay!Or. From The time Goebel secured
he nomination at Louisville by such
uestionabie methods, it was the
vowed purpose of mis- friends 10 seat
im as Governor no matter VITO was ,
Iec ed.
The question. though settled as to-
no shall be Governor of Kentucky
ct leaves the people OF that state in
situation where they may feel like
esitating before going to the polls
gain. Beckham's possession OF thi.
flee is tainted with the worst kind of
aud, and the whole conspiracy from '
eg ming to end will always be a
lrning disgrace to Kentucky and will
o down in History as the most damn
ole outrage against the rights Of
merican citizens that was ever per- +
ertrated in this country. &
Stockholders Meeting.