The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-02-07
Anarchy in Kentucky,

A condition similar to that which ex-
listed in Maine twenty years ago reap
pears in the Kentucky embroglio. The
element of blood feud which permeates
the Kentucky situation was not present
in the Pine Tree State. There existed
the possibility of a peaceful issue,
through legal instrumentalties. The
Kentucky character and environment
from the beginning are not those of the
people of Maine. There is not, unhap-
PLY, the assurance of a lawful and
bloodless settlement of the political is
sues raised. Mems tempers, in the
most pacific phase of the controversy,
were none too amiable and forbearing,
and now to former causes for violent
disagreement and infaming of passion
has been added the dark crime of assas-
sination-a torch applied TO highly
combustible situation already verging
upon direful conflagration.
Events at Frankfort since the shoot
ing OF Goebel have infinitely compli-
Gated the situation. Governor TAYLOR
has directed, in accordance with lawful
provision for an emergency like the
present, that the Legislature shall re-
move from Frankfort and resume its
sessions in London, the shire of Lau-
rel county. He has called out the
State troops, and the military arm is
rigidly employed to prevent any meet.
ing OF the Democratic members at any
place in Frankfort, or any resumption
there OF the business of legislation, in
any form. Mr.. Goebel has taken the
oath of office as Governor of Kentucky,
in accordance with the decision of the
Legislative committee, declaring that
he is the lawfully-elected chief magis-
trate of the State, and G. w. Buckham.
the Democratic candidate for the office
of Lieutenant Governor, has taken the
oath and in the event of the death of
Goebel will succeed him as the claim.
ant of the governorship.
Goebel has issued orders as Governor
directing the troops to return to their
homes and abide there till summoned
by him into the service of the State.
He has discharged the adjutant general
and appointed his own man to succeed
him. The partisans of the contesting
executives maintain their ground.
There is sharp conflict of authority
and anarchy reigns.
1t is deplorable to the utmost limit
that assassination has interviewed to in
terrupt the lawful determination. bv
the legal authority of highest compe-
tency, OF the question of the election to
the governorship, of which, indeed,
there was no question whatever. On
the part OF the Legislature the declara-
ton that Goebel had been chosen was
not based on facts respecting the num-
Der OF votes each candidate had received.
1t was clear case of violent reversal
OF the plain and acknowledgements
and declared ct of the election. The
contest on this point had successfully
sustained official inquiry and investiga-
ton. The State board of canvassers.
themselves the partisans of Goebel.
had investigated the facts of the cleo.
ton, had reported that Taylor and his
Republican associates on the State
ticket had received plurality of all the
votes cast, had issued to them certif-
Gates of their election, and they had
taken the oath and had been formally
indicted into office. The Legislature
IN which the partisans of Goebel have
majority, under law which Goebel
himself had had enacted for just such