The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1900-03-30
ne kENTucKY SITUATION.

The poical situation in Kentucky is disgrace
FIJI in the extreme 1t is the result OF an attempt
nv the Democratic party to set at naught the Will
If the peope as expressed at the polls IN Novem-
Der last.
William S. Taylor, the Republican candidate
for Governor was duly and honestly elected, ana
the certificate awarded to him by friends and par
tisans of Goebel, the defeated Democratic candl-
date for the same position Upon the convenlng OF
the LEGISLATURE. Democratic in both branches, pro-
ceedines were at once iraugurated to undo what
had been DONE and accomplish by revolution what
had been repudiated by the elector. This scheme
has been persisted in witha determination unequal
ed in modern political chcanery.
AS a result Kentucky has two state govern
ments both upheld by their respective adherents
and by military power, one headed by Taylor and
the other by Beckham, who was the candidate Tor
Lieutenant Governor with Goebel. Taylor Will
not Weld his rights under the certificate awarded
him upon far count Of the votes and based upon
an ascertainment by those not in accord with MN
on political questions. The opposition Will not
Weld because it is deemed important to have the
machinery Of that state in Democratic hands next
November, when President is to be elected
Not only has there been formed and developed
scheme to deprive the eector of his preference
has been added an equally vicious and outrageous
nlan Of conyictine innocent persons of an offence
not even contemplated by them and not only not
contemplated by them, but abhorent to every prin-
clpal moving men of even ordinary proprety. To
this last purpose and as a means to an
other end they have placed money aud tempatatlon
in the hands of unscrupulous men who hesitate not
to obtain and suborn perjury if deemed necessary
and who have now sought and enlisted the aid OF
one, whom they accuse OF the offence charged
against the others, to testify as an accompllce to
their guilt No testimony is 50 dangerous or I'M
reliable as this. An accompice is always under
the temptation Of swearing falsely to the hurt OF
others, when his release is the prize at stake.
For this reason his testimony is subject tosusplclon
and vet without that of one witness relied on by
the prosecution, they have not the semoance OF
authority for holding Caleb Powers as an accom-
plice in the murder of Goebel Nor is 1t establish
ed that the witness is accompllce. or that ne hau
or has any definite information, or sufficient to es
tablish the guilt of ony one, etheras an accomplce
or as having information OF the contemplated muir.
der of Goebel. The most that can be SAID of the
testimony SO far produced is that it affords the op.
positlon press the means and material to magnify
the situation and impress the country with their
pretended virtue, or the lack of virtue by the
other party. And it is an unfortunate fact that
there are in both parties pre-disposition and
habit of assuming all virtues to be the peculiar pos
session OF the one and that the lack of all virtue to
be the peculiar characteristic of the other Espe-
cally does this appear to be the assumption OF the
Beckhamites in the present kentucky squabole
Whata decent respect for public opinion should
have suggested to him and his followers at the on
set was to abide their time and let the voice of the
..l-s Itxyi1l jcf.OI1-s q
is always open to the honest man. 1t is far better
to wait the future for Correction of supposed ills
than to rush madly into office IN disregard of the
popular choice.
GOV rAxlnR,s IE11ER1o MEs1 VIRGINIA