The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-03
The situa,.on in Hen.,,cky.

The leaders OF the Republican party
in Kentucky have made d serious mis-
take in their attempt 10 suppress the Lee
gisiature The reports from all sources
have been steadily to the feet that-a
policy of frightening the Democrats into
good behavior was Deliberately adopted.
Companies of militia have been held in
readiness to occupy the capital. hundreds
of armed men claiming to be witnesses
for the Republican candidates have
been gathered there. and finally
force OF mountainesrs. estimated al from
q thousand to fourteen hundred in NUM-
Der, was brought up asa conclusive
argument. 1t may be conceded that to
count in Goebel as Governor Which the
Democratic majority of the Legislature
was expected to dc. would have been a
Fraudulent proceeding. From all that
we can gather it seems probable that
Goebel was not elected Bua. however
this may be- the endenvor to secure the
proper discharge OF a judicial farction BY
pointing arms at the heads Of judges
has resulted disaStrnus!y. The a.
tempted murder of Gohel was
one of the plumbers which are worse rean
crimes Ii could not alter the legal sirHa
ton materially, for a successor 70 tio1hei
would at once appear: but IL cGuld. and
probably did, render the Democrats mora
determined in their course, and give them
the advantage always gained by the vic
Tins OF persecution.
OF course no direct responsibility for
this: murterous assault attaches to tha
Republican, leaders. Nevertheless tsl=y
were well aware that thei. policy was
likely TO result in bloodshed, and now
Gov. Taylor has seized on the cNc.tsnlent
caused by the GoebeI affair to take
course for which NJ legal Justification
exists. The Legislature meets az Frank
ferr. according TO the constitution, ak
cspt in case. of war, fnsurrection. Or. pes
Hence. when it may, by proclamation OF
the Governor. assemble fer tbs. time being
slsewhere- Gov. Taylor has proclaimed
mat q state of insurrection 'foS- prevails
II the State OF Kentucky and especially
in Frankfort. and commands the Lessis-
lature to meet at 9 remote and inaccessi-
ole spot in the eastern part of the State.
L region where ths, Republicans nave an
overwhelming majority. where ever one
goes armed. and where the life of a Dem
ocratic Iegislat tor, under the present cir
curIstances. would be Insured b. no prui-
dent com pany.
No candid person will contend that an
insurrecti1u was prevailing IN any part
of Kentucky at the TINA this proclama-
ton Was issued. No armed force was
resisting the enforcement OF the law; no
wits We're ignored, no warrants un-
served. II. on any theory, Instruction
now exists. IL Is an insurrection on the
part Of the Executive against the copssi-+
tutienaI rights of the Legislature The
sessions of that body wert orderly They
were conducted under due form OF law.
If they were exposed to any Interruption.
it was at the hands OF the Executive
alene. 1t slthe dutgsof the Governor re
enforce the laws. and no one has resisted
his authority. He cannot point out a
single citizen and say. That man is in
insurrection." II republican form OF
government does not now exist in Ken
lucky. it is because Governor Taylor has
dispersed the Legislatures and prevented
Il from executing lis constitutional duttss
by the use of military vfogence.-New
York Evening Post.