New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-03
NO FEDERAL ACTION.
THE PRESIDENT DECLINES TO INTER
FERE IN THE KENTUCKY GOV
ERNORSHIP CONTEST.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO rHE rR1pUNE.I

tBT TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l
washington, Feb. NEARLY the entire time or
the Cabinet meeting to-day was taken up in
discussing the situation in Kentucky and the
rights and duties OF the President in connec-
ton Herewith. Almost Immediately on the re-
ceipt of Governor Taylor's message last night
the President took up the question and consulted
authorities on points with which he not
familiar A decision was reached and when
Senator-elect Blackburn. with Representatives
Rhea, Allen, Gilbert. Smith and Wheeler, called
this morning to protest against Federal inter-
ference in Kentucky the President promptly
gave them to understand that he had already
reached decision on the subject, and that he
had found that the situation did not warrant
the Federal authorities in interfering.
This decision announced to the Cabinet
it met. Attorney General Griggs
Secretary Root and the other lawyers of the
Cabinet sustained the Presidents conclusions
The law which must govern in this case au-
thorizes Federal action only when the Legisat-
ure is not in session and cannot be convened.
Governor Taylor's message does not intimate
that the Legislature of the State cannot be
promptly convened, does he show that the
conditions in Frankfort such as would justi-
fy Federal intervention. The President and the
members of his Cabinet without exception recog-
nze the fact that the Legislature of the State of
judge of which of the two contestants was
elected Governor of the State at the recent cleo
ton.
After the Cabinet meeting the following state
ment made:
The President has decided that no case has
yet arisen to Justify the Intervention of the Ma
tional Government in Kentucky, and has so in
formed the Governor.
THE DECISION NO SURPRISE.
other conclusion could we'll have been reached
the facts so far presented Governor Tay-
lcrs dispatch to the President perhaps in
tended more a memorandum for the Admin
istrations information than actual Of
fetal demand for Federal interference and sup
port Nothing in it could be accepted actually
asserting or establishing that state OF insurreC
ton or armed disturbance in Kentucky which
would invite and justify military interference
from Washington. No Federal property was
threatened with destruction. nor was obstruction
offered to the Federal Governments exercise
within the State of all its customary powers
and functions. As appeal for Federal assist
ance in times of armed disturbance must under
the constitution, come primarily from the State
Legislature. and the Kentucky Legislature
is AT present only in recess, and lawfully
meet within the next few days a the furthest,
the Attorney-Geneia al naturally advised the
President that not a single ground of interven-
uon had been established by the Taylor mem
orandum OF Thursday.
The President and the Cabinet have no desire,
or course. to anticipate developments in Ken
lucky which may or may not render nterven-
ton advisable and necessary. They content
themselves for the present with advising Gov
ernor Taylor that no sufficient motives for in
reference now exist. Should the Legislature
which reassembes at London next week ask for
Federal aid 10 suppress disorder and anarchy
at Frankfort. and that appeal be backed by
another from Governor Taylor. a caSs for inter-
vention may be established against which the
considerations governing to-days declaration OF
policy VIII not continue to apply.