Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-29
A KENTUCKY SENATOR
Legislature to Elect Black
burns Successor.
THREE CANDIDATES
BUT NEITHER WITH VOTES
ENOUGH TO WIN.
Legislative Situation Fully Set Forth
The Speakership Contest Will
Indicate Their Strength.
THREE CANDIDATES
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
LEXINGTON, KY, December 28-1ne
Kentucky legislature meets next Tuesday
for session of sixty days, the limit pre-
scribed by law. Interest centers in the
election of successor to Senator Black
burn, and 1t is now possible to give almost
definite figures on the relative strength or
the candidates.
The announced candidates are Senator
Blackburn, Judge Thomas II! Paynter,
member of the appellate court. and w. b.
Haldeman, editor of the Louisville Times.
1t is plain from the poll OF the Legislature
made public today that neither will have
enough votes to elect on the first ballot.
Senator Blackburn has absolute pledges
from IL senator's and 81 representatives,
total of 43. Paynter is equally sure of Ii
senators and " representatives, a total OF
40 votes. Haldeman has the pledges of
senators and 8 representatives, total OF
IT, The doubtful members. consisting or
senator's and representatives, hold the
balance of power, as SO votes Will be nee
essary to nominate In the caucus.
Blackburns showing of ~ votes Is con-
sidered remarkable at this time, as all
previous reports had been favorable to
Judge Paynter he being conceded almost
enough votes to win the nomination on the
first ballot. in spite of the entrance OF
Editor Haldeman into the race
The Key to the Situation.
Trademarks strength comes almost en-
tirely from the city of Louisville, and 1t is
now conceded that he holds the key to the
situation. The disposition of the Louisville
vote in event of Haldeman's withdrawal is
now one of the most interesting questions
being debated. In this connection 1t is said
that Paynter is fortunate in having the
support of Gov. Beckham who is thought
to have close political relations with the
democratic leaders in Louisville.
At the same time 1t is pointed out that
Senator Blackburn has never been very
popular in Louisville principally because
the city has always espoused the cause of
sound money, while Blackburn has led the
democratic hosts from the rural districts in
the battle for free silver Haldeman and
Blackburn, therefore. are not as close to-
gether Haldeman and Paynter, unless
the situation should present some new COM
plications not now visible on the surface.
The contest for the speakership of the
house is hardly less absorbing and will be
considered the first test of strength of the
opposing factions The Blackburn candi-
date for speaker is Richard w. Miller. rep
resentative from Madison county, the home
of Senator McCreary. who Is ably support
ing his colleagues effort at reelection. The
Paynter or so-called machine" candidate,
because he has the support of the state adj
mlnstrat ton. Is Henry r. Lawrence, rep
resentative from Trigg county. Thomas
Drewry of Louisville, whose interests are
linked with those of w. B. Haldeman, has
also made a canvass for the Speakership,
but there is some doubt about his name be-
ing presented to the caucus, in which event
the Louisville delegation will be called on
to show it's preference in the senatorial
fight as the lines are as closely drawn IN
the speakership contest as in the one for
senator.