The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-31

no matter how the people voted. His
ren1y was That the election law was sup
ported by every Democrat IN the
Legislature. and unanimously endorsed
md that il was necessary TO pre-
vent The stealing of the State by the he
na,tIicans again as it was stolen by them
in 1896. After the election, and what was
called "Goebel's Election Board decided
that Taylor had been elected, that charge
fell ia the ground with a dull, heavy
thud. We have followed the malignant Il
a.ade against Goebel with some care, and
these have been the only serious allegations
against his character and fitness. How
many public men, not hotEded by cor
poration tools to desperation and by as
sassins 10 death. could stand TO have their
public and private record subjected to
this test and show up as well?
What is the explanation Of GoebeFs
contest in the Legislature after the Elec-
tion Board decided against him! Was II
merely to get the office? While he was
ambitious to be Governor, that does NOT
explain the sacrifices he made and the
peril in which ne was placed. Mr.. Goebel
did not inaugurate the contest before the
legislature or shrink from it. 1t Is Well
known that he declined to move until the
Democratic State Committee met and de-
cidea that contest ought TO be made.
Why did they decide in favor OF con-
test and why is it that a majority OF the
Legislature is believed to be convinced
that Goebel was elected? 1t will
not do TO say that these men were ready
60 do Goebel's bidding, or that they are
set OF dishonest partisans. They are
the highest products of Kentucky civih-
cation. Here are the reasons:
l. They believe that Goebel was hon
estly elected, and that he was defraudeo
by bribery, soldiers at the polls, Federal
judicial interference, and tissue ballots
In 1896 the Republicans carried the
State by similar methods. They resort
ed 10 some of those methods III 1899
They may be right or they may be
wrong, but they honestly are OF the opin-
ion that, free from intimidation, BRIBERY
and dishonesty, Goebel was eleeeed Gov.
ernOr.
.. They believe, that while temporary
party expediency might suggest acquies4
cence in the decision in favor of Taylor
the ultimate result would be disastrous
in this; that 1T would enable the L. and
y. and other big corporations TO dominat e
CONVEX tons and destroy independent men
who would not be controlled by them
If Goebel We're dhrown overheard, the
railroads and trusts would come to tht
next convention and say: Remember
we defeated your party because you stuck
to Goebel Nominate A, B., G. or ID.
who are our friends, and we will he'll
elect him. If you nominate +. we WE
Goebelize him and defeat the party
again" Having, after q bitter struggle
eliminated the party from corporate ana
trust domination, the party leaders re-
solved not to wear the yoke again even
to secure an easy victory which would be
a corporation and not peoples victory
IL Goebel lives, he viii be Governor
He will carry out the policies to which
he has addressed himself for years ana
which brought HIM bitter opposition. II
the assassin has succeeded in ending his
life, his death will be avenged by an
outraged people. They will see to it that
the principles for which he fought sc
intensely and SO bravely are carried ou;
and that the Democratic party in Ken
lucky is not permitted to lapse into al
/ organization TO carry out the DEGREES OF
trusts and those corporations that seeI
to escape the bearing of their just share
of the public burdens. And they will see
to it that Taylor, backed by lawless des-
peradoes and corporation money, does not
enjoy honorS won by corruption and as
saSSination.