The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-05
RETURN BLACKBURN
TO THE SENATE?
Kentucky Believed Ready
to Desert the BeCkham
Standard.
Former Wearer of Toga
Sees Calamity in Lead
er'S Election.

Is it to be Senator Blackburn of Ken
lucky again?
Events OF the past few days tend
20 conviction on the part OF Ken
lucky political students that Gov. J.
c. s. Blackburn. Of the Panama Canal
Zone. may again be a member Of the
United States Senate, a position that he
would rather occupy, according 10 his
closest friends, than any other gift
OF the people
Governor Blackburn has just returned
from a ten-day visit to Kentucky. fol-
lowing an absence OF more than year
on the Isthmus of Panama. where he IS
looking after the digging OF the big
ditch Uncle. Sam is. preparing for the
use OF his warships and commerce gem
orally.
He brings back 20 Washington with
him. or rather leaves in Kentucky, a
decided boom for the SenatOrshIp. The
Kentucky. Legislature convenes Tuesday,
and viii elect a successor to Senator
McCreary. whose term expires March
4, 1909.
Party Paid the Penalty.
Former Governor Beckham holds the
Democratic nomination" for this posi-
ton, having badly defeated Senator
AIcCreary in the recent State primary.
The primary left so much bitterness
in the party ranks that the Republicans
were able to carry the State by a ma
jority Of 5000. and II is claimed that
the friends of Blackburn and McCreary
contributed not a little 70 this result,
the desire being to revenge themselves
upon the Beckham State ticket for
what they considered bad treatment re-
ceived at the hands Of Keutucky's young
leader.
Immediately after the election OF No
vember it did not appear that Beck
ham had a ghost Of a chance to win
the prize. A large number of Democratic
newspapers throughout the State held
him directly responsible for the de-
feat OF the Democratic ticket and
charged that the election returns were
a Reputation Of Beckham and his poll
cies. A number of newspapers also
claimed that his nomination secured in
the State primary was tainted, and that
he could not be elected.
One by one a number of these warning
newspapers fell into line and their
editors, although expressing a dislike
for Beckham and condemnation Of his
policies, said that he was the nominee
and he should be supported.
Blackburn Denounces Him.
Governor Blackburn does not attempt
TO conceal his great dislike for Beck
ham and his methods. Before leaving
Louisville for Washington he declared
that he never again would be a candi-
date for office, but" said he 1T is the
duty Of every citizen TO do the bidding
Of mis- party and the people. and II
the Senatorial tOga was again offered
me, 1 would wear it. I am in no sense
candidate, as I do not expect to go
TO Frankfort during the Senatorial con-
test. It would be a calamity, however.
to elect Governor Beckham Senator
and ] would rather see the State with
out representation"
This denunciation OF Governor Beck
ham is the chief topic among Demo
crates in Kentucky. In the main it Is
believed that 1t is the most serious blow
that Beckham's interests have yet suf-
fered, and his opponents are said to
be discussing the feasibility OF uniting
upon Blackburn in the caucus and Of
nominating him for the Office IN a rump
caucus II the Beckham men control a
majority Of the Democratic votes.