The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-03-12
Warm Politics For Kentucky.

and that he will advocate Statewide
prohibition of the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquors.
This announcemnt by MIR. McChes-
ney, once all of its phases and rati-
fications are thoroly understood and
appreciated, is extremely interest.
ing and of far-reaching importance.
In the first place II is stated with
wore or less authority that Mr.. Nc
Chesney, in his candidacy. will be
actively supported by Senator'S James
and Beckham and also by all of the
State administration organization
which can be controlled by Governor
McCreary.
In addition to these powerful in
nuences nourished and sustained by
State and Federal patronage Mr..
McChesney is assured of the active
friendship OF what has become popu-
larly known as the Haley machine"
an organization which has made it.
self felt in numerous political con-
as well as in the deliberations of the
Kentucky Legislature.
Hence, Mr.. McChesney, backed by
the two United States Senators, by
the Governor, by General Haly, and
by the Anti-Saloon League at once
becomes the leading and only organ
ization'' candidate, and il is now
simply a question which ore of the
field" will last the longest in the
heated campaign which is sure to fol-
low.
II is safe to assume that Mr.. Stan
ley. more than any of the other can
didates, will be selected by the oppo-
sition. or "anti-machine" forces, to
be sent against Mr.. McChesney, and
those who are familiar with Mr..
SANKEY'S methods of political war
fare understand in advance some
thing of the nature of the campaign
which will be waged.
Whether or not Mr.. Stanley will be
able to overcome the odds against
him remains to be seen. or course
II is impossible that not only Mr..
Stanley. but Messrs. Bosworth, Nc
Dermott, Newman and Cherry may
also remain i'm the race, but this will
merely divide the anti-machine vote
and create a situation favorable to
Mr.. McChesney.
II is possible, of course, that the
Democrats of the State will decline
to take orders from Messrs. James,
Beckham and Haly, and that the
machine" might get smashed. At
the same time it looks now as tho
the odds are in favor of McChesney.
This speculatively is of interest to
the Republicans of Kentucky both
with regard to the personality of the
candidate who will in all probability
head the Democratic ticket, and with
respect to the paramount issue in
the campaign.
Undoubtedly Statewide prohibition
will be the overshadowing question.
The primary contest between the
Democratic candidates will revive
and intensity the prohibition senti-
ment in Kentucky, and in the excited
public mind other important matters
relating to State financies and State
government, taxation, commerce,
roads. etc, may unfortunately to a
great degree be overlooked.
II will naturally be the part of wis
dom for the Democratic leaders to
evade as far as possible, a campaign
based upon State issues, and evident
ly they have undertaken to do this
under cover of Statewide temper
ance propaganda.
These leaders know that the rec
ord made at Frankfort by their party
is absolutely indefensible and that if
they depend on that, or upon nation
nj issues this year, to carry their
State ticket to victory they will be
overwhelmingly defeated.
1t is not conceivable that the Dem
ocratic politicians are deeply con-
cerned with respect to whether Ken
lucky is wet or dry. Mr.. Beckham's
success last year in the Senatorial
campaign with his temperance slo-
gan, and the desire to do everything
possible to sidestep State matters. has
induced them to take up the State
wide issue with the hope of riding
il to victory. Between this and the
date of their platform conventional
they hold a platform convention
they will endeavor to work up posi-
tive Statewide sentiment within their
party in order to make the platform
fit the candidate.
It is needful that the Republicans
take steps to induce the best possible
men to become candidates for the
various State Offices.
The men behind Mr.. McChesney
will see that he is surrounded by a