The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-12-10
WARMING
By Ex-Gov. Beckham 10
Democrats.
Care Must be Used in the Selec-
ton Of Candidate for
Governor.


The editorial campaign which certain
Democratic papers in Kentucky have
started against the Whallen-Prenltt
combine effected at Louisville fol-
lowing the election of Mayor w. U.
Head, and with the purpose of die
tating legislation at the approaching
session Of the General Assembly and
picking candidates to run for Governor
and the several State offices two
years hence, has been Joined in by
former Gov. j. c. w. Beckham, ed
itor of the Kentucky State Journal,
published here, and the fight may be
said to be on in earnest.
Former Gov. Beckham, in an editor
ial appearing ia the State Journal to-
day and headed "A Word Of Warning
discusses the uncertainty Of political
conditions in Kentucky, and how soon
majorities may be turned into minorl-
ties,and declares that the real DEM
Ocrats of the State will be heard from
in due time to nominate a ticket that
will deserve success, and the Clique
at Louisville, (which imagines that
it has captured the Democracy OF
the State and undertakes to name the
candidates two years in advance, will
wake up some morning and find out
that kentucky Democrats have not
vet. by any means, reached the point
where they are willing to surrender to
the brewery combine and its allied
Interests"
The former Governor writes as fol-
lows:
A WORD OF WARNING.
1T would be a grievous mistake
for the Democrats of Kentucky to be-
lieve that, by reason of their decisive
majorities in the local elections on
the second OF November, their vic
tory in the next election for Gov
srnor and other State officers, is as
sured. 1t is two years nearly be-
fore that election, and much might
happen between now and then to
change the advantage which the
party seems 10 have. The element
upon which no longer rests very light
ly,and which no longer pays any at
teutiUn 10 u party emblem or party
organization, but grown in recent
years in formidable proportions.
In 1900 the city of Louisville went
Republican by about 5000, ard in
1903 it went Democratic by about s.
300, a change IN three years of over
10000 woes The change there from
the election u 1907 to 1909 was almos
as large. la 1893 Kentucky went DEM
ocratlc by nearly $1,000 and in 1907 it
went Republican by about $4,000
These are lew illustrations TO show
how uacerisis are political conditions
in the State Asd how soon majorities
may be turaed into minorities.
THE people elected a complete Re-
publican State ticket by substantial
maiOrities two years ago, and because
in the electSoa this year the Demo
cratic party was successful in the leg
islalle auc focal races, there are
many who ssea to believe that no
matter what Kind of a ticket may be
nominated, OF what politics may be
adoptod, the party is almost certain
TO win in the next State election.
"Sucn assurance is not only ground
less, but it il also dangerous. A lit
tie past histsry will furnish a par
aliel and thrvw some light on the sub
iect. In 1896 the Republican ticket,
With w. o. Br~dley at the head, was
elected. TIVE years after the Repub-
llcan admis iStration had made such a
failure and beo,Ane so unpopular that
the Democrats swept the State in the
local and legislative elections, just
as they did sAfs year, and some thought
then, as So.s Thintk now. that victory
in the next State election was GER
tain. But what happened? Division
arJ factionsiilm in the Democratic
party then brought about IT, the cleo
ton of 1888 a campaign so bitter and
so close hat 1t took a legislative con-
test to deterahae the resul.
And strange 90 say, the man who
fought the DsaoGatic ticket SO VIC
lently and ssspsd to bring about the
condition thst resulted in the tragic
death OF tia Democratic leader Is the
same maa who now boasts that he Is
in control Of che Democratic organi-
cation Of Kessacky, has already Sc
lected his cassi<ste for the Democrat
nomination fsr Governor, and Is now
busily engaged picking out. to suit
himself, other Democratic nominees
mo asptisg Democrat for State or
legislative hs.srs must fail to make
his pilgri.~ge 20 Louisville. to pay