The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-31
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 81, 1900.
THE KENTUCKY REVOLUTION.

The wre,ched condition of affairs in the
State of Kentucky, to which we have SO
often referred in these columns reached
a crisis yesterday when an attempt was
made TO assassinate the Hon. William
Goebel. late Democratic candidate for
Governor We are greatly shocked that
this cowardly thing SHOULD have been
done. and yet We cannot say that we are
surprised. When men get themselves
wrought up TO such i pitch of political
excitement, it is not hard to find some
fanatic or desperate on this side or that.
who thinks to help ibis cause by shedding
blood Goebel and Goebelism are respon-
sible for the political revolution in the
State of kentucky, and as Guiteau re
moved" President Garfield because. as he
alleged the act was necessary to save
the Republic. SO a second Guiteau has
arisen in Kentucky TO remove the au-
thor OF the Kentucky revolution.
In order to comprehend the situation OF
affairs in Kentucky it must he remeln-
bcred tthat the people Of that State are,
in spirit and courage. of a. kind with the
people of Virginia, for Kentucky is the
offspring Of Virginia. and the blood Of
Virginia flows IN the veins of Kentuck-
been divided, and the negro question does
not enter as a factor. When the war
broke out some of Kentucky's sons went
with the North. and others took sides
with tile South but i'll this division there
were the same courage and patriotism
and responsibility -on born sides. When
the war was over most of those who had
been Union men became Republicans,
while the Southern sy1npathizers became
Democrats. So that from then until low
the Republican party has been composed.
for the most part, of honest, courageous
and respectable white men, who are ever
ready TO assert and defend their personal
md political rights
In 1896 kentucky was carried for Nc
kinley. but the Democrats claimed that
they were not fairly beaten. At the State
contest IN 1897 :he Democrats won. and
when the legislature met there vas 4
bold demand for an election law whicA
would for all time to come keep the Dem
pcratic party in power. in casti1S ctcut
for such a law the election law in Virginia
WAS selected. and the leading party organ
of tho State said, as We recall, that this
law had operated to the entire satisfaction
OF the Democrats in Virginia md that it
was lust the kind of law that kentucky
needed The Gocbel election bill. i.:cdeled
after the Virginia election aw, was in
troduced and passed. Two wears later the
dion. William Goebel. author OF this law,
became candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor. aid at1er a
spirited and desperate light iafore the
committee, Goebcl won out. and Mas ce-
clared to be the nominee, although it was
asserted by the opposition that he WIS not
the choice of a majority of the delegates.
They claimed that he gained the nomi-
nation by trickery and bulldozing. and
SO great was the disgust that another
convention was called by the Democrats
IN opposition. and the former Governor
John Young Brown, was put up as the
independent candidate. Mr. Taylor was
nominated by the Republicans, and there
was bitter contest before the people; and
from all that we could gather in reading
the newspapers of the State. Democrats
and Republicans resor.ed to every trick
known to the professional politician TO
carry the day. II seemed TO us TO be a
Fight for supremacy. regardless OF the
methods TO be used.
But me,en the returns were in it appear
cd that Taylor had received a plurality of
the votes cast and certificate OF election
was given 10 him by the Election Conf
1nissoncrs But the Democrats had a
majority of the members of the Lesisia-
ture. and SO Gocbel determined. after
TAYLOR was snau;srrated Governor, 10
make contest II Was given out that
the Legislature would decide in his favor.
ana several days ago 1000 Kentuckians.
armed with w.nohestefs. went quietly to
Frankfort and settled themselves down.
They addressed communication to the
x1a1slaturs raaaor,at!zns chat body not