The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1915-03-26
FRIDAY, MARCH 20.
MUDDYING THE WATERS.

II is practically certain, barring
death and withdrawal, that Hon.
Edwin p. Morrow will receive the
Republican nomination for Governor
In Kentucky this year, at the gen.
eraI primary to be held August Z.
Certain elegant and worthy Repub-
licans. who have been mentioned in
that connection have all either de-
clined to run, or have deferred the
announcement of their intention to
run so long that the rank and file,
both Progressives and Republicans,
have gotten solidly behind Mr.. Nor
row. The great majority of them
from choice. Possibly a few might
have preferred someone else at the
outset, but who have long since rec
ognized that he was to have no OPP
position, which seems to stand any
chance of defeating him. This con-
% dition is now so fixed in the minds
Of the people that any effort to de-
feat Mr.. Morrow can only result in
disaster to what seemed to be a
united effort against demoralized and
faction-ridden Democracy.
This paper has not, through its
columns, advocated the nomination
OF anyone, even though the editor
has had pronounced views in the
premises, believing that the great
e NH IN ~ aip To
In the primary should be left free
to act for themselves, without any
undue influence from the press.
However, we notice the charge is be-
ing made by someone. that Mr.. Nor
row would not be acceptable to Pro-
gressives, and strange to say this
charge seems to come from those
who have in their conduct and words
been the most bitter in their oppo-
sition to Progressives and have stood
most in the way of union of the two
elements of the party within the
State heretofore. AS far as the
editor of this paper is concerned, he
Is free to admit that, outside of Mr..
Morrow's known abilities on the
stump and his great service in the
bast for party, we have been attracted
to him by the kindness which he has
manifested toward those who have
heretofore supported the Progressive
ticket, upon all occasions. He came
TO Hartford in 1913 on invitation of
the local campaign committee and
spoke in behalf of the fusion ticket
which was more largely made up of
Progressives than Republicans, and 7
his speech upon that occasion was
one which tended to unite and bring
about good fellowship between the /
two elemnts, and had much to do
with the election of both Progress I
sives and Republicans to the county :
Offices. We have heard him upon
other occasions speak for unity of ,
position as steadfast Republican,
his words were those which would
draw back the discordant elements,
rather than those which would de-
feat that unity which so many of us
have desired to bring about. We are
unable TO speak for other sections of
the State, but we are thoroughly con-
WINGED that, so far as this part of the
State is concerned. no man that
could be nominated would be more
acceptable 10 former Progressives
than f. =. Morrow.
Without questioning the motives
Of those Republicans and Progress
sives. who have seen fit to inaugurate
this fight against the gallant and elo-
quent son of the mountains, whose
services have been so freely given
90 the party in the past, whether the |
candidate suited him or not. we feel
that il is to some extent being fos-
tered by the Democrats and that
those engaged in it are at least un-
Willingly rendering at the present
time the greatest benefit to the COM !
ing nominees of that party, possible. !
As an evidence of this statement we .
quote from Mr.. Thomas b. Cromwell,
who writes the Kentucky political
dope for the Cincinnati Enquirer:
Democrats are hoping that an ele-
ment in the Republican party not '
friendly 20 Morrow will be successful 9
in carrying ont their plans 10 bring {
ahoU, someone stronger than Dr.
Godfrey w. Hunter, the only other
announced candidate, and more capa- '
bic Of kicking up an inter-party row. t