Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1911-08-17
County Unit Local Option Goes
in Democratic Plat
form.
BECKHAM'S CONTENTION WINS
Adopted Against Pro-
test of WatterSOn on
Floor of Convention.

LOUISVILLE, NY, aug. 10 -DSlS-
gates to Kentucky's democratic plat
form convention last night refused
to accept Henry Watterson's advice,
and adopted the majority report OF
the resolutions committee, which i
provided. among other things. for
the extension of the county unit law
to all counties of the state. Waiter
son, himself delegate, was mem
Der of the committee of thirteen.
He presented the minority report.
which differed only as to that fea :
ture, and moved to amend 80 as to
leave the liquor laws as they stand.
urging that the county unit was but
a preface to prohibition.
Both parties 60 into the campaign
with similar planks, the democrats
led by former Governor McCreary.
and the Republicans by Judge Ed
ward c. O'Rear. now a member of
the appellate court. The contest in
the convention this afternoon did
not prove as severe as expected.
The vote on Watterson's amend
ment Was 514 for and 667 against.
Immediately it was lost, the MAORI
ty report was proposed. and carried
unanimously. Besides the county
unit law. which has not been in force
in counties where were situated
cities of the first four classes, the
platform commends the democratic |
congress and the states democratic
representatives and condemns every /
thing republican. The resolutions
contain no Endorsement of any ma
tional candidate. but declare for pop
ular election of United States sena.
tors, the direct primary, and for
good roads
THROWS DO WN GAUNTLET.
Watterson, himself a delegate
from this district, in signed edi- ,
torial threw down the gauntlet. He
referred TO his opposition to. former
Governor Beckham when that candi-
date for senator defeated former
Governor McCreary at a state pri-
mary to nominate. and declared the
asme influences he fought then now
seek to extend the county unit law
and eventually bring about prohibit
ton.
The Kentucky law as to local op-
ton provides that the county shall
be unit except in counties where
there are cities of considerable size.
The platform of the republicans,
whose candidate for governor is
judge Edward G, 0'Rear, member
of the court of appeals, provides for
the extension to all counties of the
unit law. The democrats, who have
named James Bennett McCreary,
former governor and former United
States senator. for the governorship,
postponed until to-day the making
Of platform. 9
Few Of the delegates came in 9
structed. except to vote solidly, and :
the candidates. in conference since .
failed to agree as to the
county unit. {
Mr.. McCreary's last word before 9
the convention assembled was that c
the candidates were unwilling to s
dictate, but believed 1.-The sentiment
of the state is in favor Of an extern
sion Of the county unit law, and
would be satisfied If the convention
30 declared"
Mr.. Watterson. who has commended
daily against the incorporation 10 the
democratic platform Of a county
unit local option plank, was yester'
day named as member OF the resolu-
tons committee. IL
Judge 0'Rear is avowedly against
statewide prohibition, as are the
candidates.