The age-herald., 1900-02-03
SERIOUS STORM S BREWING WHICH IN ITS FURY MAY
 WRECK KENTUCKYS SHIP OF STATE ON POLITICAL REEF
CONFERENCE HELD
 WITH PRESIDENT
Prominent Democrats Beseech Him Not to Interfere in the
 Kentucky Trouble.

Washington, February "A delegation of Kentucky democrats consisting of Senator elect Blackburn and Representatives Rhea, Wheeler, Smith, Allen and Gilbert and Col onel Phil Thompson, ca,ed upon President Mckinley today at the Wini.e House to protect against federal interference in the contest in Kentucky. Senator Lindsay a-- rived soon after the delegation had been admitted and was immediately ushered into the presidents private office, where the conference was in progress. Senator Black burn and Representative Kllea acted as spokesmen.
 They explained their deep so,icitude lest a collision should occur between the war ring elements En Kentucky and made the report that Governor Taylor had solicited federal intervention the 6ext of their pro- test. They assured the president that tine law and constitution of Kentucky had been strte.ly followed by the democrats in the contest over the governorship, and that they proposed to stand by, ale law. 1Le crisis that had arisen they desired shou d oc met in the courts and determined by the law.
 The democrats, they asserted would ab- stain from violence. lucy simply desired a lawful and orderly settlement of the con- troversy. Federal intervention would only aSs5raVate matters, irJteasty the excite- ment and almost certainly lead to trouble and perhaps loss of life.
 They earnestly asked the president to avert such calamity by abstaining from interference of any sort Senator Black burn and Representative Rhea said ahat they were going to Kentucky to counsel peace and obedience 10 the law Senator Lindsay endorsed what his colleagues had said about the democrats acting within the law and constitution. The dispatch of fed eral troops to Kentucky would, in his opin- ion, create anarchy and chaos.
 President Expressed Al x;ety
 The president, in reply, expressed his great anxiety over the situation, his pro- foundest wish that violence be avoided and that the contest should be legally determin- ed. He assured the delegation in general way that he deplored the situation and that federal interference would come only as the last resort after having been invoked by the proper authorities under the law and constitution.
 While the president spoke in general terms, the delegation expressed themselves as perfectly satisfied with his assurances. The members of the delegation later said they had counselled their friends in Ken lucky to avoid violence at any cost, and they said they were satisfied that if trouble came it would be precipitated by their political adversaries.
 Senator Blackburn leaves this afternoon for Kentucky, and Representative Rhea will follow him tonight. Senator Lindsay re- mained with the president quarter of an hour after the delegation had left On leaving he said he believed before the week closed the difficulties would be am.cably settled or in fair way of settlement.
 Upon being asked today why the demo- crats of Kentucky had refused to leave the settlement of the controversy to the United States supreme court, Senator Lindsay who Is an eminent lawyer, replied that doubt'ess it was because they considered that the United States court had no jurisdiction. He added that the state court did have jurisdic- ton. and as it was supposed to be friendly it was not reasonable to ask the democrats n eo to an outside court which had no jurisdiction. and concerning whose predelic- lions of prejudice nothing was known.