The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-31

10 remain IN MS room as much as possible,
but to all he made the same answer in his
peculiar way: I'm much obliged Don't
care to hear any more about it,
Goebers Unconcern.
1t was only yesterday that Congressman
John Hendricks, warm personal friend
of Goebel said to him: Senator, have
reason to believe that there is a plot on
foot 10 assassinate you. For Gods sake
and for the sake of the party, If YOU will
not be careful for your own. don't go near
the state house.
Goebe replied: why, John, never go
unaccompanied.
But what good will the men with you
do if you are shot from ambush"
IF / am shot from ambush, replied
Senator Goebel my death will be TO the
Democracy of kentucky what the blowing
up of the Maine was to Cuba" With that
he dismissea The subject and it is the only
instance known of his giving 1t a moments
recognition, even to his most intimate
friends.
The gathering of mountaineers from
eastern Kentucky few days ago with the
little. of the anti-Goebel leaders, has pro-
duced an unfortunate state OF affairs for
the Republican party. The gathering,
which was intended TO be an orderly gath
ering of genuinely patriotic and represent
alive citizens of the State, TO prevent usuT-
patton of the governors chair. developed
into a disorderiy mob of drunken noun
taineers. The effect was directly opposite
TO the one which had been desired, and
a large proportion of the crowd was sent
home on the night of the day on which
they arrived. But the damage had already
been done and the Goebel papers success
fully made a great deal of capital out of
the occlrrence. In the mean time re-
peated visits of Republican leaders 10
Washington TO solicit Federal interfer-
ence had apparently been fruitless. They
were given TO understand that once Goebel
was seated the Federal authorities would
strictly keep hands Off
A Prc-arrnnged Plot.
With certain defeat staring them in the
face and realizing the hopelessness of re-
sistance in the face of the legislatures
decision the situation was indeed despcr-
ate. While no responsible person accuse
Taylor of being a party to any conspiracy
there seems little room to doubt that the
tragedy was the result of a prearranged
plot. At the time of the shooting squads
of the remaining mountaineers were
grouped around the entrances to the
building from which the shots came, and
Immediately afterward. with unslung
rifles they barred admission to everyone.
1t is also significant fact that within |
five minutes after the shooting the Frank
fort company OF militia, which had not /
been under arms, 80 far as the public vas |
informed, for several days. came march
ing at dolble quick and took possession |
of the state house grounds. No riot alarm !
could have called them together SO quick;
ly.
1t is also fact that at the time OF the |
shooting a number of armed mountaineers /
were at the door of Governor Taylor, and I
that they remained on guard there until |
relieved by the militia. The effect of the |
shooting was instantaneous aud tremendous. !
Within tweuty minutes after the shooting |
the Louisville afternoon papers had extras /
on the street announcing enormously that !
Goebel was dead. Large gatherings, almost !
reaching the character OF mobs. surrounded |
the newspaper Offices. and business was TO |
all intents aud purposes at a standstill. |
Public sentiment. which had been bitter
against Goebel throughout. was suddenly (
reversed in the minds Of the general pub
lie. who had nothing at stake. and only |
of the outrage was heard on
all sides. Frankfort itself is tonight in a
state CT terrible suspense. With Senator
Goehel's life hanging in the balance, there
is no action on the part OF the public, ex-
cept a constant crowding of the city from
all points. Talk is quiet. There have beea
no fights or threatened fights, but the sup
pressed tones and tense faces on all sides
betoken the imminence of trouble at the
first news of Goebers death.
Goebci Declared Governor.
The effect on the contest commission
was Instantaneous and decisive. There
had been a decided probability that several
Democsts would vote to keep Taylor
seated, although there never was a chance
that the decision would be in his favor
When the committee met this afternoon IT
was only TO decide practically. with the
consent OF both sides. that argument under
such circumstances was worse than use
less. and that the quicker the committee
acted the bef>Sc it would be for all persons I
Both sides were asked to sub
NIT briefs containing the portions of the
law upon which they relied for their de-
Iision by o'clock tonight. Within an
hour after that time the following report
had been adopted by strict party vote:
1.-THE undersigned, the board appointed
and selected by the general assembly to
determine the contested election for the
office of governor of this Commonwealth
between William Goebel. contestant. and
William s. Taylor. contestee. beg leave 10
report that We have heard all the eyi-
dence offered by both parties. and we now
report to the General Assem-
bly, Of the Commonwealth OF Kentucky.
that. in our opinion William Goebel was
legally elected Governor of the Common
wealth of Kentucky on the 9TH day of
November 1899. and that he then and
there received the highest number Of legal
votes cast for anyone for the Office of
Governor of Kentucky at said election and
we, therefore, respectfully suggest that
this report be approved, and a resolution
adopted by this joint assembly declaring
the said William Goebel Governor elect of
the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the
term commencing the 18th day OF Decem-
Der. 1893.