The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1919-11-11
GOV. BLACK GIVES HIS ELEC-
TON VIEWS

"To the people Of kentucky:
The result OF the election Tues
day is not a surprise to me. There
are a few to whom 1, at different
times during the last past few weeks,
gave in confidence, expression of my
apprehension. But wish all to know
make no complaint.
"The chief regret I have in being
denied election to the governship, is
that l am deprived of the opportun-
ity to set on foot and carry out a
program which would have set Ken
lucky forward toward high achieve
ment. Such program, / had care
fully and deliberately formed in my
own mind, and to it's accomplishment,
/ intended to devote the best powers
of my being.
"The result of the election is due,
in large measure as / see the situa-
| ton, to these:
"First-The wet centers of the
State voted against me because am,
and have been opposed to the manu-
facture and sale of intoxicating
liquors for beverage purposes.
"The saloOnkeeper and his patron
were against me because of my we'll
known position on that question.
Second, the pro-German was against
me because of his hatred of the
President and his opposition to the
Presidents policies, while 1 am and
have been a sincere advocate of said
policies. My advocacy of said poll
cies impelled me to espouse the effort
to ratify the Peace Treaty and
League of Nations. I, therefore, did
not hesitate to announce my position
on that matter. Third, there has
been widespread belief that I. on
assuming the duties of the govern
orship last May, should have removed
from office some of the appointees
Of Governor Stanley. Many of my
friends even clamored for such
action.
"But, as to that, I am at rest with
my conscience, for I would not vio-
late either the law of my State or
my oath of office. Under the law,
had no right to remove any one ex-
cept only for legal cause and that
cause must be shown by provable
evidence. 1 have tried my best dur
ing the campaign to make that plain
to the people of the State. I could
not see my way clear to act other
wise than l have acted. Had / other
wise acted I would have lost some of
my self-respect and my friends, who
might have carefully considered the
matter from legal standpoint,
would have lost more or less of their
confidence in my integrity and the
rectitude of my conduct.
Fourth, the Armstrong affair
on the eve of the election to do me
an injury unjustly.
"Then the action of the President
with reference to the coal miners
strike, whether that action was
proper or improper, and the efforts
of some individuals unfriendly to me
to cause the striking miners to be-
lieve l was their enemy, resulted in
causing thousands to vote against me.
These efforts were made too soon
before the election to allows time for
me to remove the unjust and unfair
imputation.
"Summing up the whole situation
briefly, it may be said that almost
every voter who imagined he had
been wronged by some action of the
Federal or State government, charg-
ed that wrong to the Democratic
party, and the Democratic ticket be-
came the sufferer.
"Finally, let me say. am not an
enemy of any laboring man or women
or any person engaged in any legiti-
mate enterprise.
If l have enemies, they may re-
; joice over the result of the election.
But to my friends / would give as
surance that I appreciate their eff
forts in my behalf"