The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-04-06
50. WILMINGTON n. c.. FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1900.



some one on the democratic side.
do you say nobody believes that?'
asked Mr.. Pugh, facing the democratic
side Was not a more bitter contest
waged against Mr.. Boebel in that
state by his own party than was wag-
ed in the republican ranks? Was he
not denounced more from every stump
in the state of Kentucky by democrats
than by republicans?"
Mr. Wheeler-That Is true, Mr.
Chairman (Applause on the republican
side.) 1t has been the fate Of every
great man who was true to the inter-
est of the people, to incur the impla-
cable hostility of hireiings and corrup-
tiOniStS, 1t matters not where he has
been, applause on the democratic side)
and the worst element of the demo
cratic party did assault him, but thank
God he received $4,000 votes, 10000
more votes than were ever given to a
democratic candidate for governor in
Kentucky before. That shows whether
or not he was close to the people Of the
state of Kentucky.
Mr.. Pugh-"How many votes did
Governor Taylor receive.
Mr.. .Wheeler-''That is a question that
nobody but the republican leaders and
God Almighty will ever know in my
opinion. 1 decline to be interrupted
further.
the truth
Mr. Wheeler-'.The gentleman Ter
tainly does not mean to insinuate that
I state anything else"
Mr.. Pugh-"If you will state the
facts. Yes, / do state that when you
state that the Kentucky election law
is identical with the Ohio election law,
that you utterly misrepresent that law.
MIR. Wheeler-"I say it is similar in
all respects and identical in many. Do
1 understand the gentleman to say my
statement is false?"
Mr.. Pugh-'If you mean that to be
true, I say, speaking advisedly-I will
use a milder term-and say that you
greatly miSrepresent facts. I do not
say that you intentionally do it, and I
must attribute it to a lack of knowl-
edge.
Mr.. Wheeler-'I want the gentleman
| to be a little more careful in what he
says in this matter. I do not care to
have the gentleman insulting in his re-
| marks. l hope it is not so intended"
Mr.. Pugh-"Surely you do not take
it in that way. 1t is not so intended"
Mr.. Wheeler-'I did not think So"
Having accepted Mr.. Pugh's dis
claimer. Mr.. Wheeler then reviewed
the history of the whole controversy,
step by step and declared his re Ldiness
to abide by the decision of the court
of last resort iE the gubernatorial is
sue.
Sair Mr.. Wheeler, that the republican
party of Kentucky is responsible for
the assassination of William Goebel.
would be willing to leave the state
| If L thought so. Some of the best friends
I have got on earth are republicans.
1 am not so gangrened with political
prejudice that am bound ito see some
hi h06 iy,< I<n
with me on any question. (Applause. }
Some of Kentucky's most chivalrous
| and distinguished sons have been re-
publicans, and would put behind them
with scorn, as would any knightly
democrat in the state, the insinuation
that they had stained their hands in
the blood of this magnificent prodEc:
| of civilization. I do not charge It on
| the republican party. I say there are
some republicans who are responsible
and this same laA that we have obey
ed and intend to bey in the future,
| like the poisonous shirt of Nessus
will stick to them Until it consumes
their very bones, or we prosecute them
to their conviction
In conclusion, Mr.. Wheeler assured
| the members who had crowded about
| during the excitement and the packed
| galleries, that there would be no blood
shed in Kentucky.
Mr.. Lacy, Of Iowa, replied briefly
ITO Mr.. Wheeler, denouncing the Goe-
| bel law as Subversion of the constitu-
| tion and necessarily productive of the
anarchy that reigned in Kentucky
| and said ut \put a premium upon
crime" and was an Invitation to
| blOodshed." When he alluded to the
| throwing out of the returns from
Louisville, Mr.. Wheeler asked him II
it was any worse for the democrats OF
Kentucky to throw out Louisville thar
| for the republicans Of the house tc
unseat Mr. Young by throwing out
| the city of Norfolk, Va.
THE gentleman makes the school.
boys reply you're another responded
Mr.. Lacy. amid laughter.
Mr.. Finley, Of South Carolina, and
Mr.. Sulzer, Of New York, concluded
| the debate.
AT 4:55 O'Clock p. m. the house ad.
| journed.