New-York tribune., 1900-01-31
CONTEST BOARDS FAVOR GoEBEL.
DECISION OF THE LEGISLATORS WHO HEARD
THE BvIDENCE-RBPUBLICA TO
CARRY CASE TO FED
ERAL COURT.

Frankfort. KY, Jan. 30-While William Goe-
bel lay at the point of death in his room as the
result Of an assassn's bullet, the contest boards
which for two weeks had been listening to the
evidence in his contest for the Governors chair
declared him entitled to the seat.
The boards having in charge the contests be-
tween Goebel and Taylor for Governor and
Beckham and Marshall for Lieutenant Gov
ernor met at o'clock tonight in the City Hall
to consider the evidence submitted to them
and prepare their report to the Legislature. A
few legal authorities were read to them at the
request of Senator Allen, who wished light shed
upon a few doubtful points. The vote was then
taken, and by a strict party vote of 10 to
William Goebel was declared to have been
legally elected Governor of Kentucky
TIE Beckham Marshall contest was then voted
upon, and a strict party vote of 8 to settled
this matter. No announcement was made of the
reasons leading up to the report being made to-
night the boards taking everything at one leap
Each one Of the members of both committees
announced that he had made up his mind as to
the merits of the case. and voted promptly as
his name called.
In the contest for Governor Representative
Garbarry was the to vote in favor Of Taylor
and in the Beckham- Marshall contest Reid and
Lilly with Marshall.
Prior to the night session of the Contest Board
a session had been held late in the afternoon, at
which counsel for Governor Taylor asked a post
ponement saying that in the state of the public
mind it would be idle to argue the case. Post
ponement being refused, it was agreed that
argument should be dispensed with, and the
Board meet at Z ?. to receive citations of
authorities and consider verdict. Messrs. Ede-
len and W. C. P. Breckenridge, Of Taylor's coun-
sci, said they did not fear for their personal
safety, but Governor Taylor's counsel had been
threatened with the same fate Goebel. Chair
man Hickman said he thought the attorneys
were perfectly safe.
Mr.. Lilly, the Republican member of the
Lieutenant -Governorship Board, then addressed
the Board saying:
No heart is more panied than mine over the
occurrence Of to-day 1 want to say that nv
mind is made up in this case, and ten years Of
argument could not change 1t. Assa ssination is
a crime of the most heinous character and I
can under no circumstances fail to express the
utmost contempt for its perpretrator and In
stigator. Political debates arouse passion I
feel 1t myself, and so does each of you. Nothing
that could be said would have good influence.
Senator Allen Dem) followed Mr. Lilly He
said he had not made up his mind and had de-
pended on the argument for his opinion. He
was in doubt, he said, to the law involved
He said he wanted legal authority as to military
interference and irregular ballots. On his mo-
tion the boards agreed to consider the authOri-
ties cited by counsel.
Only few members of the Legislature at
| tended the night session. at which the verdict
was reached.
| An effort was made by a number Of Demo-
Gratis to get together quorum of both houses
hold night session, hear the representatives Of
| the committees at once and adopt them, and de-
clare Goebel the Governor of Kentucky before
| morning. They were anxious to give him the
! honor before he died. So many legislators had
| gone to Louisville and Lexington for tonight
| that 1t was found impossible to carry out the
programme 1t is a certainty that Goebel will
| be made Governor tomorrow If he is alive.
The Republicans will probably as soon as the
decision is rendered in favor of Goebel make ap-
plication in the United States Circuit Court at
| Cincinnati for injunction restraining Goebel
| and Beckham from taking their seats and the
battle will then be continued before Judge Taft
| of that court.
The Republican attorneys and Governor Tay-
Tor are confident that at least a temporary in
| junction will be granted, and that the ultimate
| victory will be in their favor. The grounds
upon Which the injunction will be asked are the
prejudice Of the legislative body, the alleged un-
fitness of several members of the Board to sit
in judgment on the case, and several other
grounds, which the attorneys decline tonight to
discuss. Three hundred men of the I'd Ken
lucky Infantry were camped around the Capitol
| building, and 1,500 more are expected in the
| course of the night and before tomorrow noon.