New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-04-08

The decision OF the Kentucky Court OF Appeal Is
declaring Beckham to be the lawful Governor OF
thai State causes surprise, unless 1t may be
on account Of the fact that two Republican
Judges concurred in the finding. though not
wholly in the reasoning on which the prevail
ing opinion was based. The Republican case
will ha carried to the Supreme Court of the
United States. and in the mean time. pursuant
TO agreement. the chaotic but peaceful condi-
lions now existing are expected 10 continue.
Mr. Taylor. of course. still says that he is con-
fident of a final deci sion in his favor. but II surn
is his real belief it is probable that many OF
his supporters share il.
SO far as we are able 10 ascertain. the general
opinion of The country. without regard TO party.
comedies with the Judgment of the Kentucky
courts that under the lava valid law, how
ever odious the Legislature had full authority
la declare Goebel and Bcckham elected, and
that its decision was legally effected under con-
ditions for the peculiar character of which the
majority not responsible II The title OF
Goebel, and consequently OF Beckham, had
rested on no securer foundation than the sigma
lures 10 "A paper passed around in hotel while
Goebel was on his deathbed, il would have been
fragile indeed and probably worthless; hut that
erratic action was subsequently ratified by the
formal process Of a resolution and vote. which
In the opinion OF the Court did actually vest the
title in Goebel and passed it on 10 Beckham.
Governor Taylor having had no authority to
adjourn the Legislature. II has been alleged
that when this vote was taken Mr. Goebel was
still Senator. and consequently that the nine
teen members present constituted one less than
quorum; but this point does not seem TO have
been pressed before the courts, and unless there
is some element in the which is not gen
orally understood il is difficult To see how any
one can reasonably expect the Federal court,
provided 1t accepts jurisdiction, to reverse the
decision which has just been sustained by the
State Court of Appeals.
On reconsideration of all the incidents of this
extraordinary contest we find no reason to
withdraw the opinion that Mr.. Taylor has com
mitted various bunders which are only less TO
be regretted than the arbitrary defiance by the
Kentucky Legislatu re of the popular majority
which elected him to the Governorship. If he
had firmly held his office until he had been
served with a decree Ousing him under the
forms of law and then taken an appeal TO the
people at the polls 4 is altogether probable that
they would have pronounced verdict against
the Legislative tools of Goebel which no Chi
canery could have possibly reversed. But under
the stress of circumstances he miSled into
acts OF usurpatOn which cost him the sympathy
of many who We're anxious TO uphold him and
drove back into their own party Il multitude OF
Democrats whom GOebes conduct had alien
ated. We do not doubt that Mr.. Taylor believed
that he possessed the technical authority to ad-
journ the Legislature and order it TO reconvene
at London, but he can scarcely have imagined
that there was any other excuse for his action
in defying the processes of the courts than the
ultimate right of revolution which he did not
assume TO exercise. That at least WAS "A great
and irreparable error. for which his party seems
| destined TO pay heavy penalty.