The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-21
BLOODY BATTLE
 FIELD OF POLITICS Kentucky Will Be the New
 Center of Activity TAFT IS FIRST BIG GUN Republican Candidate for Governor Spoke on Monday at Maysvile,
 But Taft Will Make Ad-
 dress on Thursday.
TAFT IS FIRST BIG GUN
BY J. R. HORNADY.


 Louisville, Ky, August 20-(special.) J. While the state campaign in Kentucky was formally launched Monday afternoon when Augustus E. Wilson, republican candidate for governor, delivered an ad- dress to hls home people as MaysvllIe. the first big gun from the republican side will be fired Thursday, at Lexng- ton, when Secretary Taft will speak It is believed that in this address MT pendent democrats, not only in Kentucky but i'i all parts of the south, to ioin the republican party.
 While Mir. Taft is expected to touch upon the some of the questions discussed In his speech at Columbus, O., Monday night, it is believed that he will address himself more particularly to southern democrats. He will, it Is said, exhort them to bury their time-honored po- litical prejudices and come into the rel publican fold" He will, it Is said, de- clare that many southern democrats are republicans. except in name, and he will endeavor to convince them that 1t Is to their interest and to the best interest of the south for them to boldly join the republican organization.
 Fight for Prestige.
 The republicans will make the fight of their lives for victory in Kentucky this year, as success means a United States Senator, and they will bring numerous speakers of national reputation into the state. They have straddled the burning ue-temperance-and hope to land the liquor vote and good sprinkling of the temperance vote On the other hand, the democrats stand squarely upon the temperance platform and will force this issue from start to finish. Inasmuch as two-thirds of the counties in the state have adopted the temperance idea and the sentiment seems to be growing, the democrats appear to have the advantage. However, they will get into the fight a bit late-the campaign not opening until next month, and the internal strife in Louisville will prove a handicap. Judge o w Hager. the democratic nominee, begins a tour of the state, accompanied by John K Hendricks. democratic nom inee for attorney general on September ?. The two will follow the trail of Can uidate Wilson and, as Hendricks is one of the most noted campaigners in the state. the trail will no doubt be kept warm.
 Stump Speaker Wanted.
 The democrats hope to induce United States Senator James B. McCreary to take the stump in behalf of the ticket, but the success of the move Is as yet in doubt The feeling between McCreary and Governor Beckham has not been particularly cordial since the former forced the senatorial fight within the democratic party three years before the term of the latter was to expire, and secured the upper hand
 The events which eliminated in the as- sassination of Governor Goebel are be- ing referred to by the democrats in their liteurature, the disastrous reign of Tay- lor and the chaotic condition in which the state was left by him, Is frequently referred to. The fact that Taylor has refused to return to Kentucky to testify in the trial of Caleb Powers, charged with ccmplicity in the killing of Goebel, despite the fact that he was promised immunity, Is also being used by the dem ocrats. They say that this has done much to convince the people of the state of his guilt