Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07
BLUE GRASS RESULTS
Kentucky Is Generally SWayed
by the Democracy.
VERDICT IN LOUISVILLE
Boss" Whallen Elects His Man as
Mayor.
LIQUOR QUESTION AT ISSUE
Statewide Prohibition Proposal Not
Now Contemplated-The
Next Governor.
special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence II The Star.
LOUISVILLE. Ky, November 4. 1909.
The Stars readers are already advised
of the fact that the democrats carried
this city Tuesday by nearly 1000 ajor-
ity. am safe in the assertion that the
result was as great a surprise To the
vctors as to the vanquished. OF course
YOU meet man here and there who
claims to have done the sum weeks be-
fore polling day. and to have awaited the
battle with perfect confidence but he
shakes faith in his assertion by the adj
mission that the victory did not thicken
his wallet. The average kentuckian is
inclined to back his judgment with coin
of the realm, whether the chance Is
horse race. a throw at cards. the age Of
liquor, or an election. This election pro-
duced little. II any. betting. Republican
money went begging. and now there is
grief in many hearts. 1t shows i'm many
faces. Men smile when congratulated.
but with an expression admitting that
there was not a single dollar in the bust
ness for them, when there should, and
might. have been piles of good money
The bet that was not made often causes
as much distress as the letter that never
came. The phiz of a sport who has over
looked an opportunity is study in this
world of light and shade.
Statewide Democratic Triumph.
I am not qualified to appraise the full
significance of this Kentucky verdict. The
overturn was not confined to Louisville.
All over the state the democrats had
their way, and the new legislature. which
meets i'm January. will be easily in their
control. In town here an excellent ad-
ministration will come to an end in two
weeks. The change ordered W.. be swift
~ made. Mayor Grnstead has acquitted
himself well i'm Office and will retire with
the plaudts of thousands of men of sub
stance and character. The man who will
succeed him. Mr.. w. O. Head. stands we'll
i'm business circles, and accepts his re-
sponsibilities with sentiments of good
sense and purpose. His difficulty will
arise from his associations. His nomina-
tion was made by skillful machine
politician. who never has been, and is not
now. in politics for his health. and Is no
more modest about preferring requests
when he thinks he has the right to do so
than Richard Croker, or Charles +.
Murphy. He goes upon the idea that the
boss is worthy of his hustle and influence.
The question presented, therefore IS
To how much the new mayor will be his
own master.
Boss" Whallen's Ambitions.
And this leads to the character, connec-
tons, purposes and obligations, so TO say,
of the new boss i'm town, and of the town.
There is a new boss. And as he has
carried the town, he is accredited now
with the desire to control the state. Two
years hence he may try to dictate the
nomination for governor, and If he sue
ceeds. will of course direct the campaign.
day. Col. John III. Whallen is a rough
diamond. Some people add that he is
also a tough diamond, IL the expression
viii pass muster. Uneducated, but thrifty;
l. a -t%l
physical courage always in reserve; the
proprietor of a place of amusement where
the patronage is exclusively of men, and
so not disturbed about what society does
or does not approve; an apostle of get
there" and get there quick. by short cuts
or long cuts: full of the resources assO-
ciated with the resOlute man Of his type,
Col Whallen looms large, and, as many
horizon. What will he do with the state
if he repeats two years hence the trick he
turned in Louisville Tuesday?
The Temperance Issue.
There are answers and answers to this
question What we know as the temper
ance issue is very much alive in this
commonwealth. 1t is always surprising
TO hear that local option prevails in
nearly one hundred of the one hundred
and nineteen counties Of the state whefe
table WHISTLES of the very finest American
brands are manufactured. And yet such
is the case. But great as their labors
have been. the temperance people are
still pressing on. They are not as yet
united on a further program. Some would
strengthen the local option situation by
what Is called county unit legislation,
while others favor prohibition. statewide,
outright. Discussion Is active, and both
sides deliver their opinions with unquali-
fled directness and vigor. AS respects
prohibition. II Is important to remember
that over two hundred millions OF dollars
are invested in whisky plants in Ken
tucky. not to mention the small army OF