Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-11
Goebel Contest in Kentucky Reaches
Most Serious Stage.
BOTH SIDES ARE DETERMINED
Prospect of Ultimate Settlement in
United States Courts.
TROOPS MAY BE CALLED OUT
Special From a STAFF Correspondent.

impossible for any student of the pres
ent condition of affairs in the blue grass
state to avoid arriving at the conclu-
sion that Kentucky is apparently on the
verge of civil war. This also is the opin-
ion of leading men of both political par
ties, who are almost constantly in consulta-
ton at their respective headquarters here,
each side trying either to outgeneral or
checkmate the other.
The strange fact is presented that Will
lam Goebe, who admits that he was de-
feated by William S. Taylor for the COVER
norship at the November election, and who
did not want to enter the present fight is
now seeking by every means in his power
to unseat the lawfully elected governor
and both he and his friends openly assert
that they intend to accomplish their pur-
pose in the near future.
A word of explanation as to how Mr.
Goehel became engaged in the controversy
may not be out of place. Previous to the
decision of the election commissioners, the
majority of whom gave the certificate of
lection to the present governor, Mr. Goe-
bel is said TO have repeatedly stated both
publicly and privately that he would abide
by the decision of the election board. When,
therefore, the decision was announced Mr..
Goebel quietly returned to his home in
CoVlngton and prepared to resume the prac-
tlce of law.
Action of the Committee.
A few days later a meeting of the demo-
cratic state central committee was held
and a resolution adopted that the election
returns must be canvassed in the legisla-
ture, and requesting Mr. Goebel to take
charge of the whole business. Mr.. Goebel
is said to have replied that he was at the
service of his party and would comply with
the request of the committee.
1t should not be supposed, however, that
while a minority of the democratic party Is
trying to accomplish a revolution Of the
peoples will as expressed at the polls last
fall the republicans are sitting with their
hands folded and not preparing to defend
and maintain their rights. The claim made
by Governor Taylor and his friends is that
he and the rest of the candidates on the
republican state ticket We're elected, and
that their election from office unlawfully
will mean not only the obliteration of the
republican party in Kentucky, but would
be a blow at civil liberty. which, if allowed
to go unresisted even to the extent of the
use Of force, would seriously threaten the
existence of the federal Union. In this
view they have, 1t Is said, the support of
such lifelong democrats former Govern
Ors John Young Brown and S. b. Buckner,
P. Wat Hardin, John NJ. Anterior, Mr..
Owens of the seventh congressional district,
who defeated w. C. P. Breckenridge: for
mer Judge Yost and 1t is asserted, thouS
ands of others.
May Call for Federal Troops.
Governor Taylor declined, when asked
for an expression of his opinion as to the
outlook to say anything for publication,
but some Of those who are very close to
him say that in the event of riot the state
executive will not hesitate to call on Pres
ident Mckinley for the aid of United States
troops. 1t is assumed by all parties inter-
ested that 1t Is the intention of the demo-
cratic majority in the legislature to throw
out the votes Of enough republican coun-
ties to give Goebel an apparent majority
of the ballots cast and to declare the lat
ter the legal governor of the state. A de-
mand will follow upon Governor Taylor for
the surrender OF the various state offices,
and the crisis will be reached.
Governor Taylor and his colleag CUES will
of course, hold on to their respective offices.
Even in the event of roting it is probable
that case will be made up for the action
of the United States Supreme Court, and
that body asked to give early hearing
on argument as to whether Taylor or
Goebel is the lawful governor. The repub-
licans believe that if the measures above
outlined have to be resorted to the Su-
preme Court would dispose of the questions
at issue as speedily as possible, the rights
of a sovereign state being involved
1t Is a mystery to nearly all who have
watched the trend of events since the legis-
lature has been in session how Goebel has
managed to secure such absolute and undis-
puted influence over his fellow democratic
members Of the senate and house With
out any ATTEMPT at conceament of his ac-
tons he will sit in his seat in the senate
chamber with newspaper in his hand
and appear to be reading intently while
some democrat is Spea king Suddenly he
Will beckOn to his lieutenant and after
giving the latter brief Instructions. the
lieutenant Will go to the speaker and repeat
10 the senator who is addressing the chair
what MI Goebel has said, and the speaker
Will incorporate Mr. Goebel's instructions
as a part of his own remarks.
Some Other GOebeI Tactics.
Instances have also been known where
when republican senator was about to
close his speech q Goebelite who had not
heard word of what the other man had
said, having been meanwhile in a cloak
room would rush in take his place hurried
~ and as soon as the other had taken
his seat, cry out, Il object" when he did
not know what he was Directing to. 1t
IS further told as a fact that sometimes
an outsider, carried away with the enthu
Slasm OF the occasion, will object When.
however, this occurs efforts are made to
straighten the matter out, and the nm
authorized directors objection do not
count.
A few days ago Mr. Goebel secured the
passage through the senate of rule re-
lating to the canvassing of the votes of
the last election, which was thus referred
to today by prominent Kentuckian, who
has heretofore acted with the democrats
but will do so no longer. He saws: ..The
new rule of the senate, drawn and pre-
sented by William Goebel as chairman of
the rules committee of the senate. and
forced through that body by the applica-
ton of the Goebel lash, is by far the bold
est assault upon constitutional govern
ment yet made by the revolutionary oil
garchy at Frankfort.
1.-THE constitution provides that a. con-
test for the office of governor shall he
decided by both houses of the legislature
in the manner prescribed by law There
is no law providing for a joint session Of
the two houses to decide a contest. and
no effort has been made to enact such n
law Where the law does not specifically
provide for a joint session good LAWYERS
hold that joint resolution passed by both
houses is essential. The legislature might
pass a special act for the consideration of
the request in joint session. or Joint ses-
sion might be legally held under a Joint
resolution according to the opinion of we'll
informed lawyers. But rule of the senat
is not the law of the state.
The Rule Without Legal Backing.
1.-The new rule provides for Joint ses-
sion. for which there Is no warrant in law
1t prescribes the manner in which the
pending contest shall be considered, and
IL Its passage the senate seeks to confer