The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1913-10-10
BfNTON SETS UP
fINE PRECEDENT
Sentences Bringing
Worry to Boodlers.
In Sufficient II Courts Do Their
Duty---But Gossip Keeps
NIX Under Cover.

Lexington, KY, Oct. 5.-The sensa-
1|n Of the past week In politics was
Investigation into alleged bribery
fhe Democratic primary in Clark
bhty by q grand jury at the direc-
of Judge James NJ. Benton, Of
nchester; the sending to Jail Of
Ing of David B. Hampton, one Of
wealthiest men in Clark county,
0sident OF the Clark County Ma
tlcoal Bank; Hamptons final yield
~ to the law after declaring he
would rot in jail before he would
&ower the grand jury's questions;
~ filming Of the two men to whom
Grtd in the primary. and the same
to4ishmcnt melted out to David Pre-
80, one OF the largest landowners
yClark and Fayette Counties, when
~ refused to answer a similar ques-
Nm on the ground that the informa-
klon was given to him in confidence.
Incidentally. Judge Benton has
nhown what a powerful weapon 10 the
Nv O Kentucky forthe barring Of
cgookedness In elections when used
Rightly by firm and just Judge. de-
termined to inforce the law Of the
State regardless of what may result
In the way of damage to previously
reputable men. The only confidence
Abe law respects in the matter OF ell
demonstrating and buying is the con-
Qfidence reposed in the attorney by
&is client and In the price set by the
benitent confessor. With such a law
Properly administered II ought not to
~ difficult matter to stop vote
Buying In Kentucky.
The trouble heretofore has been
4 hat money was used to help nomi-
bate and elect Judges just as 1t was
used to help nominate and elect 9TH
'er officials and nobody In Clark coun
B ~ or Winchester, who knew of the
iold methods OF playing the political
'Games could believe that Judge Ben
ION meant what he said when he
Warned the boodlers before the pri'
mary that II there was any crooked
ness a grand jury would investigate
10 and every man back Of the boodine
lang would be investigated. His &C.
hon in the case Of Hampton and
MAT of Prewitt shows that Judge Ber
'&on meant what he said and that his
ecrusade against vote-buying by rich
men in Clark county will result In
ythe encouragement Of the evil fol
|aA. time, there can be little doubt
Men like David B. Hampton ant
&Dave Prewitt do not relish spending
days and nights in the Clark county
hat, tho 1t Is new and up-to-date. an
Jim Mullins Is one of the most popu
he jailers In Kentucky. and fine
most.
~ There is but one note OF discOrd In
the general approval of Judge Benton
kaction, and that is found in a news
|rHper in his own city, the Winchest
Ter Democrat. edited by Steve Vaught
|who approves everything the Demo
|cratic district machine does. News
\ papers all over the State have ex
pressed approval of Judge Benton''
.,courageous course. Vaughts approva
mas been confined to praise of Hamp
ton and Prewitt SO far.
n, There have been a few who sa!
THAT Judge Benton Is the most un
I. popular man In CLARK county. sine
ne began his fight for decent cleo
Mons. and that In former days h
'jEas as deep in the mud as the Eel
lows he il sending to jail were II
1he mire, that money was used TO
I'm and by him. but most of THU
4 comment has been made where
4 toNdn't get back to the Judge. Th'
{nct Ii that he has shown q disposi
kion TO fulfill his oath Of office Il
The limit and that he meant wha
he said when he warned the boodler
hat "yhere'd come time" It ha
bure enough come In Clark county.
n is believed probable that tn
Pavement Judge Benton has starte'
4 with spread to every part of tn
state and that the floater will b.
|. but out OF business in Kentucky.
Devef opments at Frankfort the pas
ueek have not helped the politica
btrength of II. Green Garrett. OF Win
chester and william r. Klsir. Of Lex
)ngton. who stood together IN tn