New-York tribune., 1900-01-31
ORIGIN OF THE TROUBLE.
THE POLICY OF FRAUD AND VIOLENCE
PREACHED BY GoEBEL.
[Bx rELnoRArH 10 THE rn1BuSE.I

Washington. Jan. So.-This mornings tragedy at
Frankfort surprised who has watched the
growth of William Goebers sinister and noxious
influence in Blue Grass politics. The attempted
sassination Of the Democratic claimant for the
Governorship is not to be defended on any grounds
of logic Justice reasonable provocation But the
crime committed by, Goebels assailant is none The
less only the natural result Of that policy of ras
sion and violence which he has preached so sedu-
lously and recklessly in every of the State
He that takes up the sword OF lawlessness and CO.
ercion in community so prone to bloodshed as
Kentucky hardly expect TO escape the penal
ties foretold for the aggressor in selfish and un-
warrantable discord From the date of the passage
of the Goebel Election Law, two years. ago.
William Goebels energies have been enlisted In
effort to subvert legitimate popular rule IN Ken
lucky and to concentrate all the powers OF the
State in the hands OF a seIf-perpetuatng junta
which he should exercise undisputed control
To accomplish this revolution and establish him
self as a practical dictator In Kentucky politics.
Goebel stopped at available measures Of fraud or
force.
Imbued with determination to rule at any cost.
he rode roughshod every element In the Demo-
cratic party which opposed his odious designs.
and, though checked by defeat at the polls last
November. he has since been preparing through
his control Of the State Legislature, to crowd his
scheme OF usurpatlon down the throats of a clear
majority Of the citizens OF the State. Blind to
every consideration of equity and decency, he has
shown himself at all times ready to sacrifice the
interests OF his party and the good name of the
State to promote his selfish political ambitions
BY his cool Indifference to all distinctions OF meum
and tuum, and his fragrant disregard of all the
restraints which public opinion puts extrava-
giant partisan zeal. he has awakened perhaps the
deepest resentment ever visited political leader
IN kentucky. His apparent purpose to carry
through the larceny OF the Governorship In spite
OF all legal and moral deterrents has famed the
indignation and hatred OF months to still winter
heat, and out of this furnace Of passion has come
the deplorable tragedy at Frankfort which to-day
shocked and stunned every good wIsher OF the
Blue Grass State
THE FIGHT FOR THE GOVERNORsHIP.
The history of William GoebeTs persistent and
unscrupulous struggle for the Governorship goes
back for at least three four years. In 1896 as
member Of the State Senate and a politician OF
secondary Importance he was endeavorfng to hold
the Kentucky Democracy IN line with the Cleve-
land Administration After Bryans nomination
however, he hurried into the silver camp, and he
has publicly boasted since that he the largest
"a 1877 Wheh the Republicans lost the State Legis
azure . Aar. Ioenel then Reelected for second
election devices onerate NV Tsfons stafs 9 az s
far SOntb ~ oro 49, ~ ~ 81 @ IN sitS e
only can count them,' was the motto he adopted
ed in Virginia MssssipP aad Suth caf6a he
soon G0nstTgcted lay m sr which selfper
easily assured The Legislature. being Democrats
accept Goebels measure which put the Control of
all the election machinery of the State in the hands
Legislature Itself These three Commissioners tirs
s 70 be All o Demoerats and were to appoint in
Republican and two Democrats The county
cast at each State, election, and the State Board
The GOebel law left the Republican party in the
State with practically no rights at the polls. and
Republican nomination for any State Office there
opp0on @ the ne@ aw deyeoPed
feat or even Iberalize the Goebel measure
THE LOUISVILLE CONVENTION
The passage of the election bill accomplished
Goebel set to work to secure the Democratic nomi-
nation for Governor. The election was to take
place in 1899. and by the spring of that year he
had laid his plans TO carry off the coveted honor.
P. Wat Hardin, defeated by Bradley in 1895 came
to the convention with few less than a majority
OF the delegates. But Goebel. who had less than
one-ffth, and Stone. who had nearly two-hfths
e9m6ned fore forces and after desperate strugge
city OF Louisville Several other Hardin delegations
ad@ited When oHs tried vHS she
to get Gocbel to fulfill, by nominating him, the
Goebel refused and deadlock ensued A week
WAS spent IN chaotic uproar and after the most
convention Goebel epticed enough delegates away
CANDIDATE being Dropped and then succeeded after
The Louisville Convention shocked the conscience
OF the STATE It also precipitated fatal breach
candidate; John Young Brown, was put in the field
y+ Dy the & elements in the organization who would
obnoxious and revolving as Cioebels 1IoebeIisnn
as embodied in the Goebel law and CIoebel's per-
sonality became the sole issue of the campaign
and on that issue in spite OF the complete control
exercised by Goebeis supporters over the election
machinery, the State emphatically repudiated the
burglar candidate $50
Republican plurality having become apparent
two days after the election, Goebel began a des-
perate fight to have the county returns altered so
as to snow a margin in his favor The courts
and public vigilance frustrated his efforts to intimi
date the county boards and as a last resort he an
pealed to the three Democratic Commissioners az
Frankfort 10 manufacture him a majority Han
PLY, two or these Commissioners high minded
ana honorable men, and they refused to lend them
selves 10 such harefaced larceny.
ATTEMPT TO GUST GOVERNOR TAYLOR
Governor Taylor having been lawfully seated n
was thought that Coebels audacity would not be
equal to a further attempt to burglarize his wav
into the Executive Mansion. But the highway
mans habit had become invncible with him and
he decided to call upon the Democratic Legislature
to fabricate a gubernatorial title for him Ehe
Legislature bitterly partisan. has shown for some
weeks past decided willingness to attempt To
GUST the lawful Governor, and the apprehension
that II might take snap action in the pendine
contest has filed Frankfort with armed ken
tuckians, and engendered bitterness OF feeling
Which has promised more than to cuminate
avoided until to-day. but the feud opened now NAV
lead reprissls which can at present only he
guessed at. Mr.. Goebel. IL will be recalled has al
ready. In Kentucky parlance killed his man" He
inent lawyer and rival Democratic politician
Colonel Sanford.
EXCITEMENT AT GOEBELS HOME.
HIS CAREER AT cov1NGToN AND ADVENT IN