The Topeka state journal., 1900-01-31
eoEBE1 DECLARED ELECTED.
Contest Board D cides Case Without
Argument

Contest Board D cides Case Without
Argument.
Frankfort, KY, Jan. 31-While VIII
liam Goebel lay at the point of death
in his room as the result of an assas-
sins bullet, the contesting boards which
for two weeks had been listening to the
evidence in his contest for the COVER
nor's chair. declared him entitled to the
seat.
The boards having in charge the con-
tests between Goebel and Taylor for
governor and Beckham and Marshall
for lieutenant governor met at o'clock
last night in the city hall.
A few legal authorities were read to
them at the request of Senator Allen,
who wished light shed upon a few
ken and by strict party vote of ten to
one, William Goebel was declared to
have been legally elected governor of
Kentucky.
The Beckham- Marshall contest was
then voted upon and a strict party vote
of nine to two settled this matter. No
announcement was made of the reasons
leading up to the reports being made
last night, the boards taking everything
at one leap. Each of the members of
both committees announced that he
made UP his mind as to the merits Of
the case and voted promptly as his
name was aelled.
In the contest for governor, Represen-
tative Yarberry was the one vote in IA
vor of Taylor and in the Beckham-
Marshall contest, Reid and Lilly were
with Marshall.
An effort was made by a number OF
Democrats to get together a quorum of
both houses. hold a night session, hear
the reports of the two committees at
once and adopt them and declare Mr.
Goebel the governor of Kentucky. They
were anxious to give him the honor be-
fore he died. So many legislators had
gone to Louisville and Lexington for
hot 5cf 10
to carry out the programme. It is
certainty that Mr.. Goebel will be made
governor if he is alive.
The attempted assassination of Sena-
tor GoebeI has precluded the advisable
ity of a sitting of the contest boards in
the afternoon. but last night the boards
met in the city hail. being kept out of
the capitol building by the militia 1t
was a solemn aSSemblage of men who
composed the gathering. Mr.. Edelen,
one of Governor Taylor's counsel, said
that it would be idle to argue the case
in view of the state Of mind generally
prevalent. Mr.. Edelen and Col. W. G.
p. Breckenridge were the only attor
neys of Governor Taylor present. Mr..
Edelen asking for postponement, sta
ted that he did so on his own RESPONSE
bility, not having had time to confer
with his colleagues. Col Bennett H.
Young, for the contestants, followed
Mr.. Edelen- He said the contestants
waived the right of argument and
would make none.
Col. Breckenridge said he had address
ed a communication to the chairman of
the two boards setting forth reasons
why the argument should not proceed
He said that the lives OF the attorneys
for Governor Taylor had been threaten
ed.
'I have no fear of my personal safe
| ty," said Breckenridge. Il have felt that
I should be here and no threats can
deter me from what I regard as my
| duty. These threats, however, came
from a source emitting them to serious
consideration"
The rest of the counsel had agreed not
| to appear at the meeting as the daS-
| tardly crime committed yesterday
might be repeated under cover of dark
| ness.
Mr.. Edelen stated that he entertained
/ no fears for his personal safety. Chair
man Hickman responded that the at
/ torneys were perfectly safe.
Mr.. Lilly. the Republican member of
| the lieutenant gubernatorial board, ad-
! dressed the boards. He said:
| mo heart is more panied than mine
| over the occurrence of today. 1 want
| to say that my mind Is made up in this
| case and ten years of argument could
| not change it. Assassination is a crime
| of the most heinous character and can
under no circumstances fail to express
| the utter contempt for it's perpetrators
| and instigators. Political debates arouse
| passion. I feel it myself and SO does
| each of you. Nothing that could be
| said would have a good influence"
| 1t was then agreed that there should
| be no arguments.
Only a few members of the legislature
| attended the meetings of the boards.
| The events of the day had so absorbed
! attention that but few outside the
| board knew when or where they were to
| meet. Every face portrayed the emo
| tions that the crime had aroused. All
| were calm and unimpassiOned and there
| appeared no disposition to indulge in
the customary squabbleS. The speech
| es that were made were in subdued
| tones indicating the deepest apprecia-
| ton of what had happened and of inn
| pending disturbances.
| The Republicans will probably as
| soon as the decision is rendered in IA
vor of Goebel make application in the
! United States court at Cincinnati for an
| Injunction restraining Goebel and Beck
ham from taking their seats and the
| battle will then be continued before
| Judge Taft of that court.
The Republican attorneys and Cover
! nor Taylor are confident that at least
a temporary injunction will be granted
| and that ultimate victory will be il
| their favor
The grounds upon which the injunc-
ton will be asked are the prejudice OF
the legislative body, the alleged unfit
ness of several members on the contest
boards to sit in judgment upon the case
and several other grounds which they
declined to discuss.