The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1900-02-01
A POLITICAL ASSASSINATION.

1t is not easy to employ phrases that
will adequately describe the dreadful
shock to the public caused by the
of the Hon. William Goebel
at Frankfort yesterday. Indignation
and sense of outrage are terms too
mild to express the feelings Of all dis
orderly men, no matter on which side
of the Kentucky contention they may
have been. AS The Enquirer said of
the recent Colsor tragedy in the same
town, there is not an ameliorating cir
cumstance. That, though, was per-
sonal quarrel, and did not involve poll
tics, The murderer of yesterday was
cold-blooded and deliberate, and it will
be impossible to disassociate his awful
work from the violent and unlawful OPP
position to the claims of Goebel for
Governor. The Enquirer has had little
to say since the election ON the merits
of the contest. 1t has nothing to say
on that point now. 1t has been con-
tent to allow it to rest with the Legis-
lature, where it lawfully belongs.
Even those who have been radically
opposed to the claim of Mr.. Goebel are
bound to admit that he has been pro-
ceeding in proper and lawful manner,
and has not sought to intimidate or to
infame public opinion. There was a
quiet submission to the conclusion Of
the Election Board that it had nothing
to do but count the vote as certified,
whether it was honest or fraudulent,
and give the certificate to Taylor. He
was peaceably inaugurated and recog-
nized. Then the contest was institu-
ted in the Legislature.
Not so much can be said on the other
side. There have been frequent threats
that no matter what the decision Of the
Legislature might be Goebel should
never have the Office. 1t has been tele-
graphed on several occasions through.
out the country that partisans of Mr.,
Taylor have declared that Goebel ought
to be shot, and there has been painful
lukewarmness on their part in the mat
ter of repudiating such infammatory
sentiments.
Not only that, but the state has beer
subjected to the disgrace of large
crowds of mountaineers camping Oh
the public grounds of the State Capito
armed with Winchester rifles and re-
volvers, and openly proclaiming theil
intention to protect Taylor in the Office
he holds, regardless of the action of the
regularly constituted court. The pres
ence of those rufians has been tolerat
ed by the present state authorities, an(
the forbearance of the friends of Goe
bel has been remarkable. No militii
has been called out to dispense an arm
ed and irresponsible mob. Not onl!
that, but it is well known that the Fed
eral authorities have been consulted
and urged to send troops to Kentuck,
to assist in the seating of Taylor at al
hazards. There has been even consid
Grafton of the quickest means Of gettin!
United States soldiers on their ground
1t is time for the whole truth to b
told. That is not an occasion for mine
ing nor yet for infammatory treatmen
of the facts. The present reign 0
blood in Kentucky is the outcome Q
the stealing of the ELECTORAL vote of tn
state in 1896. Agents were sent fror
this very city Of Cincinnati to enginee
the corruption, and they wers all to
successful. Too much has been accom-
plished by fraud, and it would be i'd
{ and unpatriotic consealment to CLOS
oyer the present purpose to add intim
dation and force to fraudulent methods
So shocking an act as the assassinatio
of William Goebel must, for the SAX
of the good order of the community, b
D traced to its original cause. There
is. 1t is in their regular political metl
DDS that have prevailed in Kentucky.
Decent men of both parties will dc
plore the dastardly means used to dis
: pose of the claims of Mr.. Goebel. A
law-abiding citizens will see the di'
, grace that attaches to the state of KeI
lucky. That he who has been laid To-
by assassination was brave man a
: will acknowledge. Those who hay
8 encouraged extreme measures will no
have their own conscience to deal will
The law can only punish those VIII
were directly concerned in the conspil
acy and the murderous work itself. A
= the offices in Kentucky are not wort
! the price that has been paid by thos
t who are responsible for the work {
Q yesterday.
4 William Goebel was q man of stron
convictions and unfinching moral an
physical courage. All honest men wi
dispise the coward who did not civ
him chance to fight for his own life.
: Cincinnati Enquirer.
Col. Bryan returned to Washingto
. to attend the Gridiron Club dinner. E
. is delighted with the reception he hi
b met with in the east, and says the r
publicans will be surprised when Il
votes are counted. il thew really belle,