The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1900-09-07
DECKHAN'S MESSAGE.
Details of the New Election Law
Left to the Law Makers.
The Governor Claims That the Pres
ent system Aided the Repub-
Leans Through Its Being
Misunderstood.

% frankfort. KY, Aug. 9.-Governor
afternoon, said:
Gentlemen Of the senate and house OF
fou have been assembled here In ex-
udoFulnary session for the single pur-
pose OF amending the election laws OF the
state, and shall undertake 10 state
briefly the reasons why / believe the oc-
taslon 70 be extraordinary and why I
nave called you here in session at this
Section Of the constitution OF KEN
lucky reads as follows concerning the
tohernors pOwer):
10 may on extraordinary occasions
eshNene the general assembly at the seat
oi government or at different place, IL
that should have become dangerous from
CONTIGUOUS diseases. In case Of Disagree
inent between the two houses with re-
49, 20 ne Time OF adjournment. he may
s.alourn them TO such time as he may
tmihk proper. not exceeding four months.
Nh,n ne shail convene the general as
sembiy II shall be BY proclamation. stat
ny the subjects 10 be considered, and no
eihcfs shall be considered. ="
consider that some changes I'm our
secUOn laws at the present time would
. productive Of much good. and would
remove some Of the unfortunate bitter
hess and Dissatisfaction that now exist
among our people The present laws on
the subject are undoubtedly distasteful
u large number OF people In the state,
and their amendment Is earnestly de-
sired by all those who want 10 relieve,
o. much az possible, the friction and IN
iechng engendercd by hostile political
An exciting and important political con-
teti IN the state o. about 10 begin, and
hu good citizens desire 10 see that con-
t.st conducted In as orderly and peace
Hhle a manner as possible, and IL T. not
only essential that the laws controlling
the election should be fair. but also that
every honest citizen. whatever may be
aNs N.a.Hfn -.
b. fair
A law 10 be satisfactory must not only
y good tut must be generally consid-
cred 80 by a large majority OF the peo-
pie ] do not believe the present law In
- operation 10 have been unfair or un-
Just and I know Il to have been passed
With the earnest and honest intention to
remedy the evils which existed under tho
system which II supplanted II was a
ErHat Improvement upon that system.
hui by reason OF strong prejudice
ssainst u. many people have been led to
btlere that the change WAS mistake
an the law bad one. This prejudice
Hlinst ~, whether reasonable or not,
J sufficient TO Justify your considera-
Ton and warrant you 70 take some ac-
ton In securing more satisfactory law.
know IN r. your wish. as well a. nine,
thai the election In this state shall be 50
Jar, 80 lust, 80 honorable, that no citi-
IN In the commonwealth shall have
cause 20 complain as TO the law and its
administration, and that, whatever tho
result, every fair-mindcd citizen. whcth-
81 h. sides with the victor or the van
pushed, can say that the verdict OF the
people has been properly recorded and
The victory awarded TO him who deserves
let US have such a law. n possible.
VII gladly cooperate with you IN the
enort TO secure II. have not called you
here 20 legislate on this subject with the
Sea that a fair election would not be
lid under the present law. for l am
f-mly convinced that N the law An its
GeratiOn has been unfair OF unjust &C
uay one. II has been so 10 those who Wers
dhnrcsi with being It's benefciarics. who
ained nothing by any unjust manipu-
laton Of the law. but who lost many
thousands OF votes by reason OF the vio-
lent prejudice against Il. However. this
opposition exists. and YOU should deal
with Il frankly and considerably. as /
feel confident that you Will
Imaginary MS. whether political or
physial. should be treated as well as
real tnes Your task I'm this matter Is
difhcult one. You can not satisfy
everyday I do not desire 20 suggest in
detail any law for your consideration. I
have confidence In your judgment and
wisdom. and 7 believe that you will ear
nestly and periodically set TO work to
frame a law In appearance as well as in
fact 30 fair and so just 10 all parties that
no honest citizen can ind fault with IL.
J. &. W. BECKHAM.
Governor Of Kentucky.