Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1900-05-31
BLACKBURN AND RHEA
Talk About the Famous Kentucky
Election Law.

In an interview on the situatiCl
in Kentucky, Congressman JOIN
Rhea DISGUISE the election Law
as follows:
''In reference to the present election
law, think the People have not under
derstood it, and it has been in man,
respects purposely misrepresented ny tn
enemies of the Democratic party. Ever,
charge made against it by the Republi
cans has been disproved by the results
In the congressional elections OF 189S
the seats of two Democrats from Ken
lucky were contested in the House by
their Republicans opponents-those o
Hon. Oscar Turner and Hon. G.. G.
Gilbert, by Judge Evans and Hon
George M. Davidson-yet in the record
of the contest, as made by these two
Republicans, not one word OF complaint
is made against the Goebel election law
or its administration, and those receiving
a majority upon the face Of retnrns were
certified as elected. In the election OF
last year, the courts, presided over by
two Democrats, Judges Jones and Ton.
ey. granted every relief prayed for
by the Republicans and compelled
the doing Of everything supposed
to be required by the law. In such
Democratic strongholds as Warren and
Logan counties, under the operation and
administration of the Goebel law, the
Republicans won victories not gained
for many years. if ever, under the old
law, and the face of the returns was GER
titled by the commissioners. The Can
wasting Board Of the State, elected by
the General Assembly, as provided by
the Goebel law, certified the election of
the entire Republican ticket as shown
upon the face of the returns. The pow
err of the General Assembly to determine
for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor was not in the slightest degree
changed or enlarged by the Goebel law.
Under all laws, and for more than 100
years the General Assembly has been
the final judge of contests for Governor
and Lieutenant Governor, and the result
Of the contest just ended would have
been the same had the election occurred
under the old law. The present law pre-
lides the severest punishment for any
Of the rights of voter or any
fraud on the part of the election officers,
The punishment being that fixed under
The old law, and this law requires an
'qual division of the election officers, be-
.ween the two contending parties, Just
rs the old law did. To talk about non
PARTISAN boards to canvass the returns
fan election and hear contests is mere
'ot. They never existed and never will.
Under the old law, when the County
Judge, Sheriff and County Clerk were
he Canvassing Board of the county,
hey were partisan, all being of one par
y, unless, perchance, divided county |
;cket happened to be elected. Under
he old law, when the Governor, Audi |
or, etc., were the canvassing and con-
esting boards for the State, except for
iovornor and Lieutenant Governor,
hey were partisans, all being either
Democrats or Republicans. have
aith in Democrats to understand the
light and their honesty to do it. If the
Democratic party in Kentucky were to
urn over to the Republicans the control
the canvassing and contesting boards
would prove its incapacity to rule.
amendments may be needed to make
erfect the present election law, but not
D make it either fair or honest. 1t is
9th. Any law may be violated and the
llnd OF man can not devise a law that
ne mind of some other man can mott
lrcumvent. l favor any change in the
resent law that wisdom and time may
how is necessary to secure that which
very Democrat wants-a fair election
nd an honest count, SO that military in
'rference and corporate Doodle can not
'rge an unrighteous and untruthful
suit. The people; the Democratic
sople, have the right to make their
atforms and nominate their candidates,
nd their choice should be respected by
10 official agents of the party"
In a letter to the Democrats of
10 State Senator Blackburn said