The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-22
The Kentucky Case.

enormity of the crime that had been
committed which led to dissenting
opinion in the supreme courts decision
upon Kentueky's appeal. 1t IS difficult
for men who have seen liberty murdered
AMI the American system OF self-gov-
ernnent struck down by party con-
sriracy to hold hands OF from the Of
Tenders, and say to the sufferers that
iy the compulsion under which the court
labored. 1t had no legal jurisdiction of
the Kentucky case and even IL it could
have acted, its participation in state po-
litical contests would be full of appal
ling dangers. The stream can rise no
higher than its source. If the people
of Kentucky reject free government.
how can they be compelled? You cam
not" said Burke. draw an indictment
against a whole people"
The voters of Kentucky elected Taylor
governor by majority believed to be
not less than 10000. The Democratic
legislature, foreseeing this result, had
passed a law providing elaborate ma
chinery for counting him out. But the
unexpected size of the majority threw
their plans into confusion: and after
fraud in voting and counting thar was
supposed to be amply sufficient 10 give
the governorship to Goebel, the returns
still showed Taylor elected. and a GER
tificate was issued to him.
But this emergency too, had been
provided against. Under the consttu-
ton Of the state it was perniss bic to
refer a contested election for governor
t. the legislature. A commission was
Goebel; the legislature confirmed 1t.
Everything was done under the forms
% law. and there was no redress. Then
followed the murder Of Goebel and the
declaration of the state court in favor
of the lieutenant governor, Beckham.
II was political theft, without dis
grise and almost without parallel. But
IL was committed under the forms of
law.
IT would be perilous doctrine rcr the
United States supreme court to inter
fere in the domestic affairs of a state
where no federal law had been called in
question. No election would ever be
held thereafter in any one of the forty
five states without an appeal by the
defeated party to the federal tribunal.
jurisdiction. The crime committed can
not be remedied by courts. 1t is one
against the whole people of the COM
monwealth of Kentucky. To them the
case must be remanded; and as the
chief justice remarked. their court Is
always in session.
There are some things against which
no legislature. no court, no machinery
OF state whatever can offer protection.
II all the individuals In community
were To start out some morning beut on
stealing, no law against robbery could
be- enforced. The case OF Kentucky is
analogous. The state has passed
through period OF the very insanity
o: craftsmanship. Enraged b. It's trans
fer TO the Republicans in 1896. the de-
fcated party entered on thei- career Of
crime. The Democrats in the legisla
tire deliberately framed law 10 sub
vert the will Of the people at the polls.
IL that should be necessary 10 Demo
ere tic success. Democratic election Of
hceIs were ready 10 do their parts. Dem
ocratic courts upheld the system. So
Kentucky is governed today by a nil
nority, through criminal processes, ana
there is no legal remedy.
II the character OF a people gives way.
there is no salvation for them. There
VIII be much interest in the next elec-
ton in Kentucky. 20 see whether its
voters acqujesce in the abolition OF self
government and the establishment, o.:
party dictatorship. Upa1 them an
tAc.r manhood rests thu disgrace OF
th,'r fau ana the sole burden OF their
redemption.