The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1911-09-01

stating that there Is no faint on this
mans title as a Senator from Ken
tucky7 BY faint 1t is understood the
use Of corrupt means, such as bribery,
IN obtaining his title. Now ! want to
go one step further and say that II
those who would accuse upon mere
suspicion and condemn by innuendo
have any knowledge of corruption In
that election, they should state 1t. and
produce the evidence; they should put
up OF shut up. II they have such evil
dence, II Mr.. Bradley was guilty OF
having obtained his election by brib-
ing any member of the Legislature, or
II the bribing was done by the liquor
interests In his behalf, then his title
would be tainted.
do not agree with Senators Brad
ley and Paynter on their vote In the
Lorimer case. They are both able
lawyers, and have no doubt acted
upon their oaths and consciences In
voting for Lorimer to retain his seat
differ from them on the law of that
matter. II the evidence shows any
member voting for United States
Senator was bribed to do so, and there
is other evidence as to bribery as to
others. then the title of that Senator
was tainted, although the one vote
did not alone make his election possi-
BILE, and he should have been expelled.
l bitterly oppose corruption In cleo
lions, and am In favor Of making 1t
useless to the corruptors by depriving
them OF It's fruits. draw no distinc-
ton in favor Of party. All corruption
fists look alike to me.
If my critics mean to hold that what
would be a virtuous or permissible
course for Mr.. McCreary would be
corrupt one for Mr.. Bradley, then |
dissent from their view. II the two,
acting precisely alike, are to be held
to different standards Of moral and po-
litical ethics, then 1t must be submit
ted to the people whether that is eth
er logical or just. The only point
here at issue is my sincerity. Is my
sincerity to be tested by different
standard from that applied to other
people? Have not the right, and do
I not rest under the duty, to employ
the commonly accepted standards of
judging? If was mistaken as to the
nature Of Senator Bradley's title,
was led into the mistake by the course
of the press, Legislature, grand jury
and party action of Democrats as
stated. I was not at Frankfort for
two or three weeks before Senator
Bradley's election, nor for two weeks
after. I was then absent in Florida
on a vacation. I had no personal
knowledge OF the affair. My differences
were drawn from the proceedings
which have Just described.
As to my resignation: In this l am
not being treated by that part Of the
Democratic press which is criticizing
me as 1t has treated Democrats. The
objection is made that am holding
one Office and running for another.
Let us look at the usual course Of
such things, and be governed accord
ingly. There are four Democratic
members of the Court OF Appeals who
were elected while holding other Of
fees, none having resigned their for
mer offices before their election to the
latter They we're Justly not criti-
cized for their course. Senator Payn-
ter, while a member of the Court OF
Appeals, having about five years Of
his term unexpired, became a candi-
date for U. S. Senator. He was nom
mated and elected, and did not resign
as Judge until about five months after
his election. He was not criticized
for that. Mayor Head, Of Louisville,
and Judge Reed, of Paducah, the lat
\ Of delicate sense Of honor and unblem-
ished reputation, became candidates
for Governor Neither resigned, nor
was 1t suggested that they should. Mr..
Johnson. a member Of Congress, be-
came candidate for Governor. He did
not resign Mr.. Ollie James. a member
of Congress, is now nominated for u
s. Senator. and is running for that of
fee. He has not resigned, and nc
newspaper has suggested that he
should.
have noticed but two instances
where nominees for higher Offices re-
signed the ones they held when nom
mated, in order to pros a'te their can
vases free from the s-nputation Of
greediness implied in the criticism
am noticing. One was Judge Robert
Riddell. who, while Circuit Judge, was
nominated for Judge of the Court Of
Appeals. He resigned. He was also
defeated. The other was Judge Alton
B. Parker, of the Court of Appeals Of
New York, nominated for President
He resigned as Judge, and was like
wise defeated for President. The ma
jority of precedent is not to resign
II also appears to be unlucky. Besides
the criticism IN this instance does no
strike me as being sincere. My distin
guished opponent also holds an Office
OF power and dignity, perhaps of some
profit also at times, which he Is Meth
err requested nor expected to resign
This election will terminate my career
as a Judge OF the Court of Appeals o
Kentucky. You need have no fear o
that. The only question is who SHOULD
appoint my successor until the peopl
can elect one. The court will not con
vene again until the latter part o
September. II is now up with IL
docket. MY absence for five or ST.
weeks will not interfere with the pub
lies business before the court. Thu
only imposition involved will be tina
of little more labor for that time OF
my colleagues, who, am happy to be
lieve, would not In the least begrudg
me that usual and simple courtesy.
In the illusions have made TO m.
distinguished opponent, no criticism
Is intended. His long public career 1
familiar TO all Kentuckians, and
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