The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-15
THE KENTUCKY MIDDLE.

II looks now a if the trouble in Ken
lucky would be settled by the courts. The
state was on the edge of civil war, which
was averteI only by the forbearance OF
the Democrats Had they shown the same
reckless disregard for the letter of the law
as was shown by the Republicans there
would have been a collision between the
opposing parties and many lives would
have been lost.
1t is undoubtedly true that the Republi-
cans had some excuse for the course they
pursued. They had reasons to believe that
they were entitled to the state offices.
The election returns showed that they
had majority at the polls and a Demo-
cratic returning board issued certificates
Of election to them, but the Democrats
had control of the Legislature, and the
law says that that body shall determine
who are the Governor and lieutenant gov
crnor
The Legislature decided in favor OF the
Democratic candidates. There is no ap
peal from it's decision. Judge Field so de-
cided day or two ago, and it is probable
that the Court of Appeals to which the
case has been taken will sustain that de-
cison. Col. Taylor should have retired
from the Office Of Governor just as soon as
the Legislature decided against him. He
knew that by holding on to the Office he
invited civil war.
Believing that he was entitled to
the office by the votes of the people he
could not bring himself to take that
course, though it is not clear yet what
he expected to gain by retaining posses
sion of the office. He is a lawyer and
doubtless understood that the law gave
the Legislature the power to say who
was elected Governor and that there was
no appeal from its decision. 1t may be
that he hoped in some way to get the
question of his title to the governorship
into the United States Courts but from
the present light it does not appear that
there is any way in which it can be got
there.
The announcement that the trouble will
be settled by the courts causes a feeling
of relief throughout the country. The Leg
islature has adjourned and an understand
ing has been reached by the commanders
of the opposing militia forces. In the
course of two or three weeks, probably
sooner, the decision Oh Ine OOuil VI <Ap-
peals will be handed down, and then Col.
Taylor will abandon the position he has
been maintaining, provided the decision is
against him, and that it will be against
there is not much room for doubt. The
court cannot very well have the ballots
counted again, and therefore there is only
one thing for it to do, and that is to sus-
tain the Legislature. If, however, the de-
cision should be against the Democrats
they would make no further effort to get
control of the state house offices.
question in many minds is this: What
effect will the trouble have on the politi-
cal complexion of the state2 VIII it help
the Republicans in the election next fall?
1t is doubtful if it will change many
votes. The excitement will have died out
before the presidential election. The Re
publicans may make a greater effort to
carry the state in order to prove to the
country that Col. Taylor was elected Cow
ernor, but it is doubtful if the Democrats
who opposed Gov. Goebel will give them
any assistance. These Democrats were not
opposed to the principles of the Demo-
cratic party they were simply opposed to
Goebel Now that he is no longer living
they will go back into the regular Demo-
cratic organization. But there will be
bitter political feeling between the Demo-
Gratis and Republicans of the state for
long time,