The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1903-09-09
GOV. BECKHAM

Under that banner we shall march to
certain victory. and restore to Kentucky
that era Of good feeling and contentment
which existed here before the republican
party. with its malice and Vindctiveness.
became "A factor i'm the politics of the
state. and when the nightmare Of its su-
premacy did not disturb the dreams OF
our people.
The platform adopted by the repub-
licans at their convention in Louisville
last July is without doubt the most COM
plete combination Of hypocrisy. fraud and
misrepresentation ever put together IL
is an insult to intelligence, a contradic-
tion Of truth, and a libel upon every
subject with which II purports to deal
It has never been equaled In brazen ef-
frontery since the republican convention
three years ago deliberately Endorsed w
S. Taylor. after he had been indicted for
murder and ANONYMOUSLY fled from the
state, for his patriotic and resolute
course" The republican convention last
July cheered vociferously the name of the
diana did not permit his attendance at
convention in Kentucky Had circum-
stances allowed him to be present, the
ovation accorded him would have exceed
ed every other demonstration I'm that con-
Ventton. They yearned to see him that
, they might pay tribute to the man who
nation of VIM. Goebel and the cowardly
murderer who will not face Kentucky
jury on a trial of his guilt. This was the
same convention which honored me
!
by denouncing me and my administration.
l glory in its condemnation. | rejoice that
those who applaud assassins have no
praise for me. If anything has happened
I'm brief career which should entitle my
name to honorable mention to posterity.
Il is the fact that this convention con.
ferred upon me the coveted distinction OF
its miserable censure. My pride Is eXalt-
ed when | think that my conduct in off,
cial life has met with their cordial dis
approval. My administration Of the at
fairs OF state Is commended for all time
to come by the denunciatiOn Of those who
exulted in Goebers death and who love
to pay homage to his murderers. My
position I'm the confidence and affection
of the good people of Kentucky Is secure
so long as l can merit the condemnation
of such convention as this
Men who believe in murder as a polit
ical necessity have no right to criticise
the actions or conduct Of their opponents,
and are entitled to no credit or consider
alton from honest people.
In their platform they say they are op.
posed TO assassination whether in Ser
via or Kentucky" We hope they are
sincere in what they say about Servia,
FOR we know they are not about Ken
lucky. 1t depends entirely upon the ques-
! ton as to what party the murdered king
OF Servia belonged; If he was a repub-
lican, they mean what they say; but II
he was a democrat. then they. are no
more sincere than they are in what they
say about Kentucky The republican
leaders of Kentucky should remove TO
Belgrade, where they would find a more
congenal climate for the use of their
improved methods of political warfare.
The present king OF that country would
probably grant them the same immunity
from requisition as the present governor
OF Indiana does. II Is quite certain that
II the king should find his throne in
danger from the claims of some rival, he
could borrow a Marlin rifle from some
prominent republican federal Officeholder
In Kentucky, who would cheerfully lend
II. on account of the increased value OF
the gun after the deadly work had been
ACCOMPLISHED. The man who wrote that
platform about assassination in Servia
might be considered a humorist IL the
subject was not so CHASTITY. His cruel
nature. as he penned those lines, was full
Of delight when ne INDUCED in such mock
cry, and saw In his minds eye the form
of Kentucky's governor. struck with the
assassin's bullet and writing I'm agony
on the state house pavement And yet
these are the people who denounce me!
This IL the platform which says my ad
ministratiOn has been bad! In my fond
est dreams of popular favor | never ex-
pccted such complete triumph and vim
dicatiOu as this. Mr.. Belknap. the NOM
inee of that convention. may lay the fiat
tering junction to his soul that he was
the most honored man by the convention
/ dispute the claim with him. and assert
that ] above every other man carried off
the houors Of that assemblage. For.
while he received the nomination for
governor. I was the chief object OF their
attacks and my brow was adorned with
the chaplet wreath of their enviable
abuse. No crusader Of old. when he knelt
before his sovereign to receive the order
OF knishthood In recognition OF his cour-
age and valiancy. ever felt prouder than
did I when that remarkable convention
said that 1t saw nothing In my public
record to approve.
Now, let us look at that llbelous doc
ument which they have put forth as
their platform of principles"
With a reckless disregard for truth II
fires 8 general broadside shot at the pres
ent democratic administration. and IL
would have the people believe that we
are as bad II possible. as the republican
organization in this state. 1t denounces
yhat II Is pleased to term the "odious
democratic machine" now In control OF
Kentucky This must have been intended
as a little piece OF pleasantly to relieve
somewhat the monotony Of the occasion.
for It Is said that when this humorous
part of the platform about political ma
chimes was read a broad smile swept over
| the faces Of all the delegates except
those who were for Judge Pratt or Mr.
Wilson. for these latter delegates were
not I'm a frame of mind just then to fully
appreciate Joke of that kind. The idea
OF that convention denouncing a ma
chine" was a bit of wtticism most too
satanic to be enjoyed by these gentlemen.
II Is indeed very gratifying TO me that
the republicans have seen fit to attack
the present democratic administration
and thereby bring prominently before the
| people the work and actions OF this adj
ministratiOn, for | am convinced that the
more discussion and investigation we
/ nave upon THIS subject, ana the better
the people understand Il. the more cred
| table II viii be to us, and we will be
| certainly Endorsed at the polls, I do not
want TO appear boastful or to assume
any credit to which | am not entitled.
but can say and prove beyond success
| full contradiction that the administration
of affairs given by the present demo-
/ cratic officials for over three and a half
| years will compare favorably with any
| other administration I'm the history of the
state. an. especially so with the last
/ republican administration of four years.
The financial affairs of Kentucky arc
/ now I'm the best condition ever known
| in the state. When the present admins
| traiiOn came into power I'm February.
/ 1900 the debt Of the state was Sl.00O0Oo,
| ana $500 900. or one-half Of that debt, was
created IN lsJ7-during the republican adj
| ministrstion In the last six months we
/ have patti of that debt before its ma
/ turity with the exception of S360l0, and
] the only reason We have not paid that Is
! because we have not yet been able 20
have those thirty-six bonds presented for
| payment We have the money TO buy
! them with, and We lope by the first OF
/ the year 10 do so. The state Is, therefore,
practically out of debt-a distinction
| which Is enjoyed by only three other
states In the union. One-half Of the debt
would have been due in 1905. the other
I a.. 3 l. hoe no moi Of