Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-02
Decision of the Cabinet on Governor
Taylor's Request.
OPINION UNANIMOUS ON TIE SUBJECT
Two Delegations Visit the White
House Early.
SENATOR LINDSAY'S VIEWS

thing, set forth in the latterS message
to the chief executive last night, which
justifies federal interference in that state.
This was the decision reached this morn
ing by the President and later by the cab
met, there being no difference of opinion on
| the subject. All the lawyers in the cabinet,
including Attorney General Griggs and Sec
retaries Root and Long, saw nothing in the
revelations made by Gov. Taylor warrant
ing the use of federal troops.
The cabinet did not discuss prospective
demands which may may not be made
by Gov. Taylor or by any of the other
officials or the legislature of the state.
There need to go into hypothetical
ratters, and the public can rest assured
that nothing is being held back. The Pres
ident will decide upon each question ap-
plication made to him it comes up, and
will not bother himself or his administra-
ton with what may happen under certain
conditions.
Gov. TayIor's Message.
Gov. Taylor's long message to the Presi-
dent read to the cabinet. 1t was con-
sidered, in effect, a request for federal
troops, and the President has answered it
with that construction in view.
Attorney General Griggs months ago
looked up the law to the right of fed
era Interference in state, and was pre-
pared to quickly give -opinion to the
President and cabinet this morning. This
he did by pointedly saying that there is
no fact in the Kentucky situation, re-
vealed by the telegram of Gov. Taylor, or
in any information public or private, to
justify the government taking hand. Just
what situation would justify interference
was given In The Star yesterday.
In his telegram to Gov. Taylor, President
Mckinley quotes the law which authorizes
federal Intervention, and indirectly gives
blow to the efforts of the governor. This
law, it is stated by cabinet member who
took part in the discussion today, contem-
plates federal intervention only when the
legislature is not in session and cannot
be convened" The cabinet decided that
there is legislature in session, and that
it was in session until Gov. Taylor him
self adjourned it by his own act. In brief,
the precedent established by the admnistra-
ton today is that Legislature is the au-
thority to call for federal troops in state
affairs, and when it is not in session and
cannot be convened, the request of the gov
ernor of the state will be recognized
The Law Alone Considered.
This decision was reached wholly without
psai iiStti ne sympathy
the members of the cabinet is probably
with Governor Taylor, and the administra-
ton would wish him success in his efforts
to retain his position, but the President
looks solely at the law. Briefly, the law
says that there ls ground for intervention
In cases of insurrection, the destruction of
federal property, rioting, etc, which can
not be controlled by the legal authorities
of the state. Even under these circum-
stances either the legislature or the gov
ernor must ask for Intervention.
The republicans will probably be salts
fed with the decision of the cabinet mas
much as the telegram to Governor Taylor
in an indirect manner recognizes him as
the acting governor. In fact it does recog-
nize him as governor de facto. Democrats
say, however, that it will practically settle
the case in their behalf because it points
out that the legislature is the proper au-
thority to call for troops when it is in ses-
sion or can be assembled.
The Ohicial Statement.
After the cabinet meeting the following
statement was made:
1.-THE President has decided that no case
has yet arisen to justify the Intervention of
the national government in kentucky, and
has SO Informed the governor"
Effects on National Elections.
One and all the members of the cabinet
depreoate the serious condition of affairs
the outcome. 1t is realized that the condi-
ticns are fast outgrowing what was in the
beginning regarded as merely local Ken
tucky row. AS one Of the members of the
administration put it today, the conse-
quences of this crisis may have very seri-
Gus bearing upon the national government
itself If they are carried along TO the No
vember elections. Should it happen that
the result of those elections depends upon
Kentucky's vote, there is a prospect of
most serious trouble, with the state domi-
mated by lawleSs elements and the law it
self vague and inadequate.
II the national authorities could be in
duced by any consideration to enter the
dispute, it would be with the purpose Of
endeavoring to to define the lawn Kentucky
as to obviate all chance of miscarriage of
the popular will as expressed at the polls
next November.
The opinion prevailed among several
members of the cabinet before the meeting
today that the crisis was, after all, over in
kentucky, and that there was now not SO
much denger of a hostile collision between
the opposing elements at Frankfort as
there was yesterday morning. 1t is be-
lievedf that there is a fair prospect of a
transfer of the entire controversy to the
civil courts for adjustment. 1t is anticipat-
ed that the Goebel element will initiate
proceedings before the state courts to oust
Gov. Taylor. To this the Taylor element is
expected to reply by an attempt to have
the United States courts take the question
fIom the handS OF the state courts. In such
case it is a foregone conclusion that a long
legal battle will follow, during which there
will be time for the excitement to abate.
Blackburn and n Kentucky Delega-
tiOn.
Prior to the cabinet session President
Mckinley had two important conferences
with Kentuckians, the result of one, at
least, being that the federal administra-
ton does not feel that # has reason or
right at this time to interfere in any man.
ner with affairs in Kentucky.
The first conference was with ex-senator
Blackburn and five democratic members
of the House-Messrs. Allen, Smith Rhea
Gilbert and Wheeler. Representative
Berry, who has been classed with the anti
Goebel democrats, was not present Sena-
tor Blackburn presented the matters which
had taken the democrats to the White |
House. The first of these was that there
is now no need for federal interference in
Kentucky and is not likely to be.
Senator Blackburn reviewed the case
from the beginning, and asserted that the
democrats have acted within the law from i
the first. He declared that there is no |
raoting or insurrection At Frankfort and |