The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-11-14

The new situation in Kentucky presents
are rather disappointing. The encouraging
features are the steady growth of Repub-
licanism in the State and of a popular SEN
timent in favor of fair elections and an
honest count. The statements of those who
are in position to know leave no doubt that
in the recent election the Republicans car
ried the State by safe pluralities both for
President and Governor, and that they
were counted out by frauds which can be
established beyond question. 1t is humiliat-
ing and exaspcrating TO have to submit TO
such an outrage for the second time. but In
view of all the circumstances submission is
probably the better course at present. With
the Goebel law still in force, and the Goe-
bellies in control of the political machinery,
the returning boards and the courts the
Republicans would not stand the slightest
chance of success in a contest on the State
election. AS Chairman Combs says in his
dignifed statement, There is no tribunal
to which we can appeal with any hope of
an impartial hearing" This being the case,
it would be unwise to inaugurate contest
which could not possibly succeed and which
might lead to another deadlock such re-
Gently convulsed the State and disguised
the country. There are times and circum-
stances when the ultimate triumph of the
right is rendered more certain and perhaps
accelerated by temporary submission to in
Justice BY submitting to a great wrong
for a second time the Republicans will
strengthen their case in the next election
and increase the probability of the COM
plete overthrow of Goebelism. Meanwhile,
mination of the people to have their rights
and fair elections is growing at a rate that
insures its early triumph. AS Chairman
Combs very truly says: las long as We can
show a substantial growth of strength in
behalf of the great principles for which We
are contending. we may look forward with
abiding faith in the power of the people to
govern themselves" 1t is only a question
of short time when Goebelism in Ken
lucky will be overthrown, and with fair
election and an honest count the State will
have Republican Governor.
What has been said applies to the State
election. As for the presidential election
the hope has been expressed by some that
Congress would refuse to count the vote of
Kentucky for Mr.. Bryan. There is no pos
sibility CT this being done. Under the law
of 1887 the question of rejecting the cleo
toral vote of a State can only be raised if
there are two sets of electoral votes certi-
fed by two rival Governors. If there is only
one electoral vote and that one certified by
.he de facto Governor of the State, Con-
gress has no discretion in the matter and
the vote must be counted as certified. AS
there is but one Governor I'm Kentucky at
present, and no possibility of two sets of
electoral votes coming before Congress. the
question as to accepting or rejecting the
electoral vote which will be certified by
Governor Beckham cannot even be raised
by Congress. In these circumstances there
seems nothing for the Republicans and
anti-C Democrats of Kentucky to do
but to accept he present situation and
bide their time ill the next election. With
light breaking in Central Africa and China,
and with justice steadily advancing
throughout the world even Kentucky must
emerge before long from the political dark
ness of Democracy and Goebelism