The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1914-05-19
OPPOSITION HAS COLLAPSED
Lexington Paper Says Beekham Has
Fight Won For u. s Senator


One of the most significant develop
ments in the trend OF political affairs IN
Kentucky in the last week, has been
the almost utter conapse OF the opposi-
tion to Governor De,kham in his fight
for the Democratic nomination foe
United States Senator.
This development has been overshad-
owed bN the announcement az senator
Bradley that he would not be a candi-
date for the Republican nomination, but
his announcement has been too recent
for any possible forecast Of the re-
lative strength OF the candidates who
may now announce their candidacy for
the Republican nomination
The nomination of Governor Beck
ham is assured by the complete failure
OF the friends OF Governor McCreary
To accomplish two necessary strategic
moves. The frs. move was to enlist the
Courthouse crowd" in the various
counties of the state under the Nc
Cieary banner. The second was to use
these groups OF busy politicians TO de-
velop sentiment for McCreary. as tho
most available candidate in November.
Tht first move was more or less sue
cesstul. In many counties, where there
appeared to be popular sentiment for
Stanley or Beckham. the county off
Gals with their organization talked
| learnedly OF the detection which would
| follow the nomination OF either of those
candidates. and that good old Mac"
| was the only man who could unite the
party in November
The second move TO bring the popu-
lar support around from Stanley and
| Bcckham to McCreary was less easy
to accomplish The Leader stated some
| weeks ago that the crest of Stanley's
] popularity was reached at Mt. Sterling.
| He has made little if any Roadway
since. The work of the organization,
| therefore. was to win over the Beck
ham supporters to McCreary This task.
begun in highest confidence. has now
practically collapsed and in more than
one county the trend has become almost
a stampede to the Beekham band wag-
on.
The Fayette county situation is IL
Illustrative OF this. In spite of the ar
dent and admiring support of the Old
Guard, which has confidently asserted
that Beckham and his policies have new
err been popular in Fayette. the Beck
ham alignment in this county is grow
ing stronger every day. One of Lex
in2ton's most astute politicians said last
night to a party OF seven local Dem
ocrats. that the most disappointed man
over the result of the Fayette county
primary would be Governor McCreary.
The same Democrat made the state
ment, which he Offered 10 support by a
deposit of cash collateral against sue
cesstul contradiction, that Beckham
would carry not only all the counties
| in the Seventh district. but 20 out OF
the 10 counties in the State in the pri-
mary. And each OF the seven demo-
Gratis in the group agreed with him.
A prominent Bourbon county official
and Democratic leader was in Lexing-
ton yesterday with the news that de-
liberate old Bourbon county has at last
made up Its mind. 1t will be for Beck
ham and the courthouse crowd has
thrown up its hands.
"A Louisville man who was in Lex
ington yesterday made the positive
statement, which has been printed sew
eral times for what II is worth, that
the liquor interests will not spend any
money to oppose the nomination of
| Beckham Coupled with this was the
statement that Louisville has complete
ly overcome its former preiudices. and
is ready to give Beckham united sup
port.
| 1t was noticeable yesterday that in
talking with local Democrats. AL Of
whom we're convinced that the cam
paIgn Tor the nomination was over.
Stanley was not seriously considered
at all, that McCreary's hopes were
dimmed by the insurance mess and ex-
tinguished by his ill-advised appoint
ments to the Racing Commission, which
are now being regarded as planned less
by McCreary to help his candidacy, as
forced on the Governor Il the interes;
of the political ambitions OF johnson
" (an,l,.u