Evening star., 1901-03-12
OUT FOR U. s. SENATORSHlP
LEADING KENTUCKY DEMOCRATS
PREPARING FOR CAMPAIGN.
-Four Avowed Candidates for the
Honor and Many Counties to
be Heard From.
81 Correspondence Of me E,enine Star.

| Special Correspondence Of TIE Evening Star.
LOUISVILLE. KY. March IL. 1901.
| Political interest in Kentucky now CEN
| ters in the race for United States sena-
tor. There are four announced candidates
| for the democratic nomination, and It Is
| believed at least two and probably three
| others will enter the contest before 1t il
many days older. There is much interest
in nominations for the state legislature. as
| upon It will devolve the task Of making the
| choice
The race between the democrats promises
| to be the most spirited and the closest the
| state has witnessed in many years. Ex-
Gov. Jas. B. McCreary was the early bird
| in the ring and has been letting no grass
grow under his feet for six months. He
has the Endorsement OF his home county,
this boost a few days since. His friends
! claim that Mr.. McCreary will get his win
ming strength in central and southern Ken
lucky. but he has foeman worthy of his
steel in Judge James E. CantriI OF Scott
county, who also lays claim to the ma
jority Of the democratic votes which will
come from the blue grass region of central
Kentucky. There is a spirited rivalry be-
tween these two original Goebel demo-
cratic leaders. and the lively struggle for
supremacy In the party between them Is
being watched with ever increasing inter
est
Mr.. McCreary was one OF the warmest
supporters Gov. Beckham had In the race
last year, being manager Of the demo-
cratic campaign and the speaker who ac-
companied the young governor on all OF
his speaking trips into the state. 1t is said
he should be the natural heir to the Goe-
bel-Beckham support in his race, but 1t
seems that his plans In this direction are
to be rudely upset by other aspirants for
the honors the ex-governor seeks
Judge Cantrill's Strength.
Judge Cantrill was the presiding judge
in the trial OF Henry E. Youtsey, ex-sec-
retary Of State Caleb Powers and James
Howard. alleged Goebel murder conspira-
tors. all three of whom were convicted and
are now under sentence. Judge Cantrill an
nounced his candidacy for senator about
thirty days ago, and since then his home
county and Bourbon county as well infor-
mally indorsed his candidacy. indicating
that his stronghold is to be the very part
of the state from which Mr.. McCreary had
expected to draw the most of his strength.
The other two democratic entries are
Representative David H. Smith of the
fourth district and Representative Charles
Wheeler OF the first district. Their friends
say that these two gentlemen are going to
| hold the balance of power. and that II one
or the other Is not nominated he will die
tate the nomination.
Said a friend Of Mr.. Smith: ''If my
ITIeuu uOeSn WIN ne VIII come closer 10
| it than any other aspirant. He will have
his wealth Of votes in the part Of the state
from which the winning strength must
come. He is located in the edge of the
western Kentucky territory, and 1t Is from
the western and southern Kentucky demo-
cratic counties that the winning votes will
be cast. For the reason that McCreary
and Cantrill will split the central Ken
lucky vote and the eastern Kentucky coun-
ties will send republican members, hence
it will be seen that Smith and Wheeler
from the southern and western districts
will hold the winning hands,"
Mr.. Wheeler's friends also feel very san
guine They say he will receive the solid
vote of the strong western Kentucky coun-
ties and will loom up early in the race
with strength that will make him the
most formidable opponent McCreary and
Cantrili will have. One Of the best-posted
politicians In the state said that he expect
ed to see Wheeler spring some early sur
prises by his strength.
Dark Horses I'm the Field.
But there are other developments forth
coming which may give Messrs. Smith and
Wheelers plans shaking up. Ex-Repre-
sentative Goodnight Of the third district
Is being urged to make the race for the
democratic nomination. He is considering
the matter. Mr.. Lewis McQuown of Bowl
ing Green. in the third district is also con-
sidering the matter Of entering the race
state. Ex-Representative Ellis Of the Sec
ond district has also been spoken of as a
prospective vandidate, but 1t Is said he has
not seriously considered the question But
If either Goodnight or McQuown or both
enter the race they will take strength from
both Wheeler and Smith and will further
complicate the race.
The republicans are keeping very quiet
about their Intentions, and it is not known
how many aspirants there will be In that
party for the senatorial nomination.
1t Is known that Senator Deboe will de-
sire to succeed himself, and that he will
have some warm supporters. 1t is also
said that Ex-Governor William Q. Bradley
will be espoused by a large number Of his
partys best-known leaders. and that he
Will be the real quantity Deboe will have
to reckon with in the race for the nomina-
tion Others are spoken of in this connec-
ton. but 1t Is not now probable that there
Will be but these two entries
One-half the state senators are hold
overs. and only half the total number will
be elected with the legislators in Noyem-
Der There has been a lively lot of hus-
tling among the senatorial candidates to
see and talk with the hold-over senators
In order to learn how the present members
STAND on the race.