Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1887 — SITUATION IN KENTUCKY. [ARTICLE]

SITUATION IN KENTUCKY.

A Ohance for Republican 7 Success in the Coming State Election. [Covington (Ky.) special.] There is actual danger that the Democratic party will lose Kentucky this year. The condition of affairs in this State warrants the conclusion that the Republicans have a fair chance of success. Never before have the Democrats been in such a demoralized condition. When the Democrats assumed control of the State twenty years ago Kentucky was free from debt, with a balance of $4,04)0,000. At the present time the surplus has not only been exhausted, but the people are facing a deficit of $1,500,000, and there is no satisfactory explanation of how the money has been expended. The policy pursued by the party in power has retarded the material progress of the State, and even the Democrats acknowledge that the Republicans have a strong argument against them in contrasting the condition of Kentucky with other States. A large element in the northeastern part of the State ie opposed to Cleveland’s administration. They are led by Congressman Taulbee, who represents one of the mountain districts. In the Democratic convention which nominated Buckner for Governor Taulbee had a large following in refusing to indorse Cleveland. The great obstacle in the way of the Bourbons is the growing strength of the Prohibition and Labor parties. It is conceded by all well-posted politicians that the temperance people will cast from 20,000 to 50,000 votes in the August election. At least 75 per cent, of this will be drawn from the Democrats, as the Prohibition element is most numerous in the rural districts, which have always given overwhelming Democratic majorities. It is becoming more and more apparent daily that it was a mistake to nominate Buckner. The Union wisg of the Democratic party in Kentucky have no use for a man whose stock in trade is his Confederate war record and the resolutions of ’9B. A leading Union Democrat from Lexington said: “We are in a bad predicament in Kentucky. The Treasury is empty, there is no effort to improve or develop the resources of the State, and we have the Prohibition and Labor vote to contend against. General Buckner can not command the full party strength by several thousand and the Republicans have, in nominating General W. O. Bradley for Governor, selected the strongest man they have. Beck and Carlisle, realizing the serious danger, are coming home to stump the State. Every Kentucky Democrat approached on the subject of the election concedes that it will be the closest fight they have ever had. Kenton and Campbel) Counties, iu which Covington and Newport are situated, and the home of Speaker Carlisle, will both be carried by the Union Labor party. The workingmen have thorough organizations in Louisville, Lexington. Somerset, and other Democratic strongholds. They will hold their State convention in a few days and nominate a full ticket, which will -in all probability be headed by George H. Thobe, who came so near defeating Speaker Carlisle. The Republicans are splendidly equipped for the contest. _ It is a significant fact that . there was a spirited contest for the nomination for every State office, and some of the most brilliant and influential men in the ”State gladly accepted places on the ticket. Gen. Bradley, who has been in the forlorn hope for years, is confident of election. The Republicans have a strong weapon in their opposition to the present iniquitous system, of contract pr.son labor, and their approval of the filair educational bill, lhey will also capture thousands ot votes in Southern Kentucky by their plank in the platform denouncing the Green River mon-, opoly and other monopolies which the Democrats foisted upon the State. The selection of Buckner will drive 10,000 votes to Bradley, nnd four-fifths of all the outside party votes will be taken from the Democrats. Senator Beck will make an active canvass for Buckner, as he wants to be returned again. The friends of Carlisle will attempt to interfere with Beck’s arrangement, while Dr. Studdiiord, a Louisville man with plenty of money, also wants the Senatorship. It is useless to disguise the fact that John G. Carlisle has many bitter enemies in his own party, particularly in his own district. The unpopularity of the Federal appointments in Covington and Newport has driven many of the best workers into open revolt against him.

Premature Cleveland Boomers, The Democratic politicians, particularly those who do not want Mr. Cleveland renominated, are indulging in a good deal of absurd gossip over_ the question whether he did or he didn’t say that Le would be a candidate for a second term. The story seems to have been started at a dinner of Western Democrats in the midst of characteristic Democratic hilarity. Then came Senator Vest and stated in an interview that he knew the President would not be a candidate from sundry remarks he had made in a conversation. Then came Senator Gorman with the statement that the President had frequently expressed himself against a second term twice as strongly as he is represented to have done by the press. Then came Mr. Dorsheimer with his story that the President wrote a letter for publication, refusing to accept a renomination, which he induced him to suppress. .Then came Smith M. Weed, who, like all the others, is of course on intimate terms with the President, and says that Mr. Cleveland told him he didn t want to run again. And so the gossip runs. Meanwhile those who don’t want him renominated fall back on his own statement in his letter of acceptance: “No means tending to the full realization of a form of government by the people would be more effective than an amendment to the Constitution disqualifying the President for re-election. We recognize in the eligibility of the President for reelection a most serious danger to th,at calm, deliberate, and intelligent political action which must characterize a government by the people.” Unquestionably the mugwumps are in the right about the matter. Whether all this Democratic gossip has any foundation or is a mere blind makes little difference. When it comes to the pinch the Democrats had rather be beaten with Cleveland than with any other candidate. He will be renominated after more or lees chatter from the malcontents, and he will gladly take the nomination. _ It will not have to be carried to him on a silver platter either. Meanwhile the most significant feature of all this party gossip is the positive refusal of the country to get excited over it. If it were intended to launch another Cleveland boom it has signally failed. The people have sized up the President and are not disposed to go into politics for some time to come. The manipulators had better house their boom. Itis premature. — Chicago Tribune.

Senator Morrill of Vermont takes a very hopeful view of the puiitical situation. He says: “I am convinced that Blaine or any other man who may be nominated by the Republican convention can be elected. The Republican party to-day is harmonious and united, and its candidate for the Presidency next year has every prospect of success, no matter who he may be.”