Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-17
KENTUCKY POLITICS
How the State Is Likely to Go
in November.
SITUATION IN DISTRICTS
Sixth Is in Doubt, But Probably for
Bryan.
HOT FIGHT IN THE FIFTH
Summing Up Seems to Give the State
to Republicans by About
1850.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
| LOUISVILLE. KY. September IL
| With the presidential election not quite
two months off. Kentucky is still classed
among the doubtful states. the political
prophets being unable to figure out just
which side Of the fence the electoral vote
of the commonwealth will be found after
November. There was time when
Kentucky was almost as sure to 20 DEM
ocratic as Mississippi but that day
passed some years ago. and in the last
decade or SO the state has been decidedly
uncertain in the way II has distributed Its
favors. During this time, however there
has been a gradual leaning toward the
republicans. and though the state
gave Parker majority OF 1883. it
turned completely around in the guber-
national election Of 1907, giving Wilson.
republican. a majority of 1883 and elect
ing a republican senator, former Gov.
William 0. Bradley 1t Is not to be sup
posed however. that this vote for gov
ernor is to be taken as a criterion. for
last year there were number OF issues
in the race Of local nature which VIII
not be found this fall. As a matter OF
fact. Bryan carried the state over Nc
Kinley by small majority in 1900 but
lost the state to Mckinley in 1885, though
he got one elector.
This year, in addition to the general
uncert ainty as to how the voters will
view the issues of the campaign, another
question will cut big figure in the re-
suit This is the night-rider prob EN-.
Down in the first and second districts.
the democratic strongholds Of the state,
this question is especially acute. while
even in the seventh district, now repre-
scented by Pres Kimball, it will cut some
figure.
In the first two districts, however. 1t is
said that party lines are almost obiiterat-
ed. the question of night riders or oppo-
sition to night riders being the all I'm
situation is exaggerated Is undoubtedly
true. but at the present time II Is almost
Impossible to tell just which way the
night rider knife Will cut. If the friends
of law and order in the districts are
stronger. the republicans will make big
gains. as Representative Stanley and Rep
resetnative James. while not advocating
night riding, have said very little In op-
position to- the bands On the other hand.
the republicans are making their cam
paign against the riders especially siren
uOuS.
In First and Second.
Should the night riders prove stronger
than it is generally thought. they will.
Of course. add to the democratic majority.
1t is probable. however. that the majority
for Ollie James and Bryan will be cut in
the first district from nearly 10000 to
about 1000. while In the second Repre-
sentative Stanley is likely to find his ma
jorty reduced from nearly 5000 to $500,
and maybe less on account OF the popu-
larity of Taft down there and the general
desire on the part OF the friends Of law
and order 70 show their appreciatton of
the efforts OF the governor to put down
the night riders. In spite Of the fact that
these two districts are the hotbeds Of the
tobacco trouble. there is a growing senti.
ment against the violent tactics employed.
and it is generally realized that there are
scores of persons who apparently SYM
pathize with the riders. but who simply
are afraid to take any other stand.
Third Not Doubtful.
The third district. which in former years
was regarded as doubtful, but which is
represented in Congress by DR.. A. D.
James. republican and strong Taft man,
seems practically certain to be in line
again for the republicans. the democrats
having made an unfortunate choice In the
selection Of their candidatee. Common
wealth's Attorney r. Y. Thomas Of the
seventh judicial district, who had the I'M
pleasant distinction Of denouncing Gov
Wilson as "blue-ribboned ass because
he sent troops to quell tobacco disturb
ances and VINO has on more than one