The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1903-04-17

Judge Pryor. Judge Hazelrigg,-two
ex-chief justices Of the court of ap-
peals,-ex-Gov Knott, Capt. W. T.
Ellis and Mr. Lewis McQuown, all of
them ranking in the front of the legal
profession, wrote an able and unan-
swerable opinion declaring that was
eligible Very many other lawyers Of
no less ability took the same view.
Under such circumstances l decided to
become a candidate before the peo-
pie for reelection. and l now say,
without the fear of successful contra
.diction, that this sO-called question of
eligibility would never be heard of in
this campaign except for its political
effect, and because my enemies admit
that the only hope they have of de-
feating me is to create doubt in the
minds of the people upon that ques-
~fiCn. / have always been frank and
honest with the people Of Kentucky,
who have so generously honored me,
Rnd the high office of governor is not
sufficient temptation to me to ever
deal unfairly or selfishly with them.
4 can, therefore, say in all truth and
scandor that | would not be candi-
sdate one minute for this Office If there
was the slightest doubt Of my eligi-
a1iiity. or the least danger Of contro-
TVerSy about my election; nor would
~zEhe court Of appeals have ordered my
name placed upon the ballots for the
primary, if that court had believed me
ineligible. If I mad been under the
required age, or il I had not been a
citizen OF the state, or If had been q
woman, they would never have grant
led mandamus upon the state COM
-mittee ordering my name placed up
4son the ballots. That honorable court,
composed of able and upright judges,
with deep knowledge of the law and
with patriotic love for the peace
and welfare Of their state, would never
have compelled the democratic state
committee to place my name on the
Ballots, in primary called under the
law, if they had considered me ineli-
sgible and that a contest and turmoil
night result from my election.
My two opponents opened this issue
before the people with the purpose OF
raising confusion and doubt in their
minds about it. 1t was legal ques-
-6ion, and not one for the people to de-
eide. so proceeded to get the matter
Before a tribunal which could pass
&Ipon It. filed suit in the Woodford
circuit court, before Judge Cantrill,
that the question might be properly
passed upon. My opponents, through
&heir attorneys, asked to be made par
-Gies to the suit, and alleged that they
did not want to delay or obstruct a
decision upon it. It was argued be-
fore Judge Cantrill and that learned
and able Judge decided IN unmistak-
able terms that l was eligible and
-was entitled to run in the primary.
The case was taken to the court of
appeals. and there before that court
my opponents, through their attor-
neys. begged, insisted and demanded
Shat the court should not pass upon
Ghis question, but leave II open, that
these opponents might further agi-
state if before the people They did
not want their only campaign issue
against me taken from them, and they
Believed that if the court decided ii
at all it would be in my favor. They
did exactly what they had promised
not to do in their pleadings before
Judge Cantrill-that was, not to OBJ.
ztruct or delay a decision Of the Ques-
&1cn.
The court Of appeals. in its wisdom,