Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1916-03-17
Could Have Put
Quietus On Much Discussed
Legislation.
Dry Vote Swung in Line wken
Needed to Aid Administers
ton Measures.
INGRATITUDE TO LOUISVILLE

n
ture early Wednesday morning left
no aching void in the hearts Of the
people of Kentucky, the one word
descriptive of the actions OF that
body being hypocrisy, and this can
be applied to both the Democratic
and Republican members, who de-
layed every measure for the good
OF the people in the interest OF pro-
hibition, both parties having repre-
sentatives who betrayed the wishes
of their political parties.
1t was expressly stated in the
platforms of both contending par
ties last year that they stood for
the county unit law, this being the
foremost plank in both platforms.
the result in the primaries further
verifying that the people as a whole
hoped that the legislative sessions
this year would not, as in the past.
be burdened with fanatical legisla-
ton, fostered by political preach
ers and prohibitionist lobbyists who
derive big revenue from the Anti
Saloon League. To the disappOint-
ment of everyone, the General As
sembly had hardly convened before
the same dilatory tactics were intro
duced by the prohibitionists, who
opposed every measure for the good
of Kentucky if the supporters
wouldn't bargain for the support of
the dry legislators. who voted as a
unit in nearly every instance. From
first to last the Prohibitionist legis-
Iators, led by a Baptist minister.
waged a fight to betray the wishes
of the people. who had declared for
county unit, the result being a con-
tinual turmoil, featured by many
disgraceful charges
The Kentucky Irish American has
contended and still contends that all
of this could have been avoided il
the administration leaders had
taken firm stand against the pass
age or even the Introduction OF pro-
hibition legislation into the affairs
of both bodies. II was demonstrated
conclusively at different times thai
the administration, probably
through the.promise of political pat
ronage, could swing enough OF the
so-called dry element into line and
on the last day managed to even
keep a prohibition measure in the
hands of the committee by q de-
cisive vote, although at an earlier
date the same body voted largely in
behalf of a prohibition measure.
Thus it shows that the administra-
ton disregarded the platform OF the
Democratic party when considered
necessary, and this latter fact does
not sit well with the people who
were responsible for the success OF
last years ticket. A striking in
stance is shown in the passage OF
the Hutchcraft bill. Though this
measure was bitterly opposed by
the men who led the fight for pro-
hibition, nevertheless the admins
tration whipped into line as many
of the dry votes as was needed to
carry this measure in both houses.
This same effort made at the outset
could have stified and discouraged
the flood of prohibition measures
that featured the sessions in both
houses.
That it is the intention to punish
Louisville Democracy is shown by
the announced programme of some
of the present State Democratic
leaders. First, the State convention
is to be called in Lexington. instead
of Louisville, as at first intended.
and the delegates to the Democratic
national convention, if there are
four, will be chosen as follows:
Gov. Stanley, eX-Gov. McCreary.
Senator James and Senator Beck
nam. This despite the fact that
Louisville and Jefferson county was
responsible for the election OF Beck
ham in 1914, and last year giving
the State ticket a majority OF over
1000, when the vote out in the
rest of the State was against the
Democratic ticket to the tune OF
about 300. Gratitude, il nothing
else, should prompt the present
leaders to select one of the four
delegates from Louisville. and q
fitting reward would be the ehoos-
ing of Mayor Buschemeyer, Col.
Frank McGrath or Col. James p.
Whallen. The Cincinnati Enquirer
correspondent. who is close to the
powers that be. further announces
that If there are eight chosen, with
half vote each, Justus Goebel.
ex-senator Camden, Congressman
Cantrill, and last choice Swagar
Sherley. For eight straight years
the Democratic organization in this
district has won signal victories for
the city, State and national ticket,
yet this is to be the reward. Verify
gratitude is a virtue lacking in the
maekup of the present leaders OF
KanfuclrV nan1Ocracv