Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-05

present controversy over the governship of
kentucky was made today by one in the
authority of the republican party.
The statement was made to a correspond
ent of the Associated Press with the full
knowledge and personal approval of Gov
ernor Taylor. who heard every word, and
the interview may be regarded therefore,
as official:
THE legislature was convened at London
under plain constitutional provisions. 1t
cannot legally act anywhere else and all
attempted acts done by any rump legisla-
ture any where else are void.
The matter must be amicably settled or
there is no surrender. The republican ma
jCrity is beyond question. The constitu-
tion provides that the one receiving the
greatest number of votes shall be governor
and by that declaration We propose to
stand. The republicans were denied a trial,
denied a hearing. They were deprived of
their rights at the ballot box, and also at
every election tribunal in the state Not
withstanding all that, they won. And
every honest man in Kentucky knows this
TO be true.
Peoples Liberties Must Be Upheld.
Liberties Of the people must be upheld
under the law If possible, but the liberties
of the people must be upheld. No partisan
court has the right to tie the hands of the
chief executive of the state. and any at
tempt to do so will be disregarded. The
lives and liberties of the people are in part
intrusted TO the chief executive 1t is as
much his sworn duty to protect these lib
critics against fraudulent judgments, writ
ten 10 overthrow the will OF the people as
it is TO protect them from the invasion of
foreign foe.
Some criticisms have been made against
US because the rump legislature was not al
lowed to assemble. 1t was certainly incum-
bent upon the authorities that no such as
sernblage OF men should be allowed, out of
which might grow further riot and strife.
When the legislature was adjourned the
whole city was convulsed and in a frenzy
Both sides were ready for desperate acts
Threats were heard everywhere. The con-
test committee denied the counsel right to
argue, and everything was in chaos and ex-
element. No one who was not present and
on the ground can comprehend the great
danger to life and property IL the legisIa-
ture had met amid this excitement and at
tempted tc carry into effect the partisan
decision of the committee. 1t would doubt
less in such moments of passion have acted
as hastily and as vindictively as has the
committee.
Mr.. GOebers partisans would at once
have set up claims and title to the govern
ors office. Anarchy and confusion would
have reign-d among the militia Divided
and torn by strife, an inevitable conflict
would have ensued- This would have con-
Yerted the city into veritable mob But
the legislature was adjourned to the 9Th
OF February This gave an opportunity for
the storm 10 pass and passions to cool.
10 set Of men were fit to sit in Judgment
upon the very questions that had brought
about the fearful condition at the time that
the legislature was demanding the right to
act What was the plain duty of the gov
ernor? Could it have been anything else
than in some heroic way to prevent further
blOOdshed and ruin? This was done bv
giving time for the sober second thought
Of the people to assert themselves"
Gen. Golfers Statement
Adjutant General Collier would not saw
whether or not the legislature would be
permitted TO meet. but called special atten-
ton TO the fact that since Saturday no
demand had been made by the members of
the legislature for the right to meet He
allowed it to be understood that they would
not be molested. saying that 1t was annie
time to decide what to do when the de-
mand for admission to the grounds had
been made. Heretofore the attitude of the
military has been that the legislature could
not meet
Gov. Tayior had a short conference To-
day with W. c. P. Breckinridge on ths
subject OF making an official statement
and tomorrow will meet with his legal ad.
visers, former Gov. Bradley and Judge
Yost. who will be here to attend the ses.
sion of the contest board. and the whole
matter will be gone over thoroughly.
The state troops guarding the capitol r.