The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-02

of human life, except murder by a negro,
has ceased to be a crime.
The leaders in both parties are more or
less responsible for the existing conditions
Governor Taylor cannot escape criticism
for having armed men in Frankfort before
any threat Of ejectment from the office to
which he was elected was made by the
Legislature. He may not be responsible
for the appearance of a large body of
armed citizen- in Frankfort last week, but
the demonstration was unfortunate because
1t diverted attention from the conspiracy
of the Goebelites to overthrow popular
government 1t can probably be excused
in Kentucky. but In few other States. The
collecting of armed men in the executive
building and the general belief that GoebeI
was assassinated by one OF those men
counts against Governor Taylor with peo-
pie outside of Kentucky. He was not war
ranted in preventing the Legislature from
assembling the morning after the assassi-
nation of Goebel on the ground that the
State. and particularly the city of Frank
fort, was in state of insurrection. since
all the men openly under arms were under
his orders. These acts have not assured
his position In office. and they have lost
him and his cause the moral support to
which he was entitled and which he had
until the series of acts referred to.
For the Goebel usurpation there is no
paliation. More than a year ago he
coveted the Office of Governor and set him
self to getting it. He crowded the Goebel
election bill through the Legislature in face
Of the protest of many prominent Demo-
Gratis. That measure took all authority
over elections out of the hands of local
officers and vested it in a central board
whose members Goebel practically named.
He went to the Democratic state conven-
ton with less than a third of the delegates.
He entered into a compact with another
aspirant to unseat nearly one-third of the
delegates and to put men whom he could
control in their places. He broke faith
with the men who went into this con-
spiracy with him. and by force and the
tyrannical rulings of the man he made
chairman of the convention secured the
nomination. With all of the election ma
chinery in his hands he was beaten at the
polls 1t is stated by intelligent men that
If there had been a fair count Goebel
would have been beaten by 5000 AS 1t
was, the state canvassers selected by the
Democratic Legislature declared Taylor
elected by considerable plurality. The
Legislature, by the manipulation of the
Goebel election officers, was surely Demo-
cratic From the decision of the State
Election Board Goebel appealed to the
Legislature. While the farce of a hearing
by committee was going on the Goebel-
ties unseated two Republicans, mainly to
see If a majority could be depended upon
to carry out the conspiracy to have the
Legislature unseat Taylor and make Goe-
bel Governor. When it was ascertained
| that Goebel's usurpation could be sustained
in the Legislature the committee reported
| that Goebel had received majority of the
votes. No evidence was presented to sus-
| tain that conclusion. 1t was simply the
necessary thing to do to complete Goebel's
plot of usurpation.
The Chicago Record. which is disposed
| to criticise Republicans rather than Demo-
| Gratis said a few days ago there can be
| the seating OF Gcebel will be usurpation."
All the facts sustain that opinion. True
| all that the Goebel conspirators have been
doing since the assembling of the Legis-
lature has been in violation of the spirit,
| # not the letter of the Constitution, of the
| laws and of the theory of popular govern
| ment. but with the Legislature and the
| Court Of Appeals against him 1t would
have been better for Kentucky and the Re-
| publican party if. when the Legislature
| had declared Goebel elected, Mr.. Taylor
| had submitted, outrage and usurpation as
| it was. 1t would have fixed the RESPONSE
tility of the crime upon tho Goebelites and
given the Republicans in the future the
support of those VINO believe in constitu-
tional methods and the reign of law.
Governor Taylor has appealed to the
| President but the President cannot inter-
| fere in his behalf. since the Constitution
| declares that "the United States shall
guarantee to every State in the Union a
| republican form of government and shall
protect each of them against invasion. and
| On application of the Legislature or Of the
| executive (when the Legislature cannot be
convened) against domestic violence" The
Legislature is in session, and, If it is not,
can be convened. so the Governors appeal
seems useless. The next question is: What
can be done9 Mr.. Goebel IL dying II not
| already dead. The situation is well-nigh
one of anarchy. Shall the two excited and
| violent factions spread lawlessness
throughout the State or will patriotic men
| of both parties unite TO see what can be
| done by mediation? With case fraught
with so great danger might it not be bet
| ter for Congress to consider plans for
| bringing peace to Kentucky rather than to
| talk of mediation in far away South
/ Africa?
| THE ENGLISH SCARE.
4 Inot faxr,