KENTUCKY. 



541 



1878, returned in March with thirteen of the 

 principal actors. It was generally considered 

 that the disorders there had not grown out of 

 barbarism, or any relapse from the social status. 

 An imperfect organization has resulted from 

 the prai-tiral isolation of the people, the unlet- 

 tered authorities, and the absence of schools 

 and moral example. They need the contact of 

 more advanced communities. 



A great excitement was produced in the State 

 by the killing of John M. Elliott, one of the 

 Judges of the State Court of Appeals, by Thom- 

 as Buford. The tragedy occurred on the steps 

 of the Capital Hotel in Frankfort on March 

 26th. Bnford had embarked all the property 

 that he owned, together with the whole estate 

 of his sister, since deceased, in a tract of land 

 in Henry County, and, the parties from whom 

 he purchased failing to make a title to the land, 

 a suit was pending before the Court of Appeals 

 for the rescission of the trade, and the repay- 

 ment to Buford of the twenty or thirty thou- 

 sand dollars which he had paid on the property. 

 A little more than a year previous, under a de- 

 cision of the Circuit Court, the farm was sold 

 for the deferred payments still due from Bu- 

 ford some twelve thousand dollars and the 

 parties from whom he had purchased became 

 the buyers, bidding in the property for the sum 

 of twelve thousand dollars, thus taking from 

 him, without recourse, the twenty odd thou- 

 sand dollars already paid, and leaving him a 

 pauper. This decision and sale were appealed 

 to the highest Court in the State, and the de- 

 cision was rendered on March 21st sustaining 

 the sale, and leaving him to brood over his en- 

 tiro loss of everything. Buford was convicted 

 of the murder and sentenced to hard labor in 

 the State Prison during his life. The case was 

 brought to the Court of Appeals for revision, 

 and on filing the record, a paper in the nature 

 of a protest against any action in the case by 

 the present members of the Court was pre- 

 sented. To this the Court acceded, and the 

 Governor appointed special judges to try the 

 case. 



The election of State officers was held on 

 August 1st. In preparation for the same, the 

 Democratic Convention assembled at Louisville 

 on May 2d. John W. Stevenson was chosen 

 permanent chairman. The following nomina- 

 tions were made for State officers : For Gov- 

 ernor, Luke P. Blackburn ; for Lieutenant- 

 Governor, James E. Cantrill; for Attorney- 

 General, P. W. Ilardin ; for Auditor. Fayette 

 Hewitt ; for Treasurer, James W. Tate ; for 

 Superintendent of Schools, J. Desha Pickett ; 

 for Register of Land-Office, Ralph Sheldon. 



The following resolutions were adopted : 



The Democracy of Kentucky, in convention assem- 

 bled, reaffirm their attachment to the Constitution of 

 the United States and the Union of the States, as the 

 best guarantee for the liberties of the people and their 

 prosperity and happiness. 



They reioice in the fact that it 5a in their power to 

 recognize that all the States ore restored to their politi- 

 cal autonomy. 



They hereby record their Bolcmn protect that a popu- 

 lar verdict at the polls ho* bum reversed by the <-ti<>n 

 of an Electoral Commission, and they declare that, 

 while in the Interest of peouo that result wu acqui- 

 esced hi, vet it shall not bo held an a prcctdtiit lr 

 future violations of right and ju-tice. Though thus 

 deprived of control of the executive power in the ad- 

 uii nitration of the Federal Government, they eongratu- 

 luto the people of the country at largo that the popular 

 will, expressed at the polls, has secured the supremacy 

 of a Democratic majority in both Houses of Congress. 



In further expression of our views, wo resolve that 

 wo have viewed with intense interest the issue between 

 the Congress of the United States and tho President, 

 and contemplate with unfeigned anxiety and condem- 

 nation the unprecedented attitude assumed by the Ex- 

 ecutive in his message rejecting the supplies tendered 

 by tho peoplo for the support of their army, ujxm tho 

 wholesome condition that no military force should bo 

 used at their elections. 



Kexolved, That wo heartily endorse the position 

 taken by our Senators and Representatives in Con- 

 gress in coupling with tho appropriation bills now 

 pending a demand for redress or grievances by tho re- 

 peal of existing laws which tolerate the presence of 

 soldiers at the polls, the continuance of test-oaths as a 

 condition for jury service, and the employment of su- 

 pervisors and deputy marshals to control elections. 



Retohedj That in this great issue between the txjople 

 and a partisan Executive we have implicit confidence 

 in pur Senators and Representatives, and, endorsing 

 their action up to the present, he ruby assure them of 

 our hearty support hi whatever action they may toko 

 to maintain the fundamental principle that the mili- 

 tary power shall be kept subordinate to the civil, and 

 that elections shall bo free from executive interfer- 

 ence. 



Jiesolvedj That wo approve the action of tho General 

 Assembly in submitting to the people the question of 

 calling a convention for tho purpose of forming a State 

 Constitution, and wo hereby commend the call to tho 

 favorable consideration of tho Democratic voters of 

 tho State. 



fiesolced, That we approve tho measures heretofore 

 adopted to create a general and efficient system of 

 common-school education, and pledge tho Democratic 

 party to take such steps as from time to time experi- 

 ence may demonstrate to be wise to so perfect the sys- 

 tem as to furnish every child in tho State tho means 

 of a fair English education. 



The Republican Convention for the nomina- 

 tion of State officers assembled at Louisville on 

 April 10th. John D. White was elected chair- 

 man. Walter Evans received the nomination 

 for Governor; for Lieutenant-Governor, O. S. 

 Doming ; for Attorney-General, A. II. Clark ; 

 for Auditor, J. Williamson ; for Treasurer, R. 

 P. Stoll; for Superintendent of Schools, M. 

 Mclntire ; for Register of Land-Office, John II 

 Wilson. 



The following resolutions were adopted : 



The Republicans of Kentucky contemplate with 

 pride the histnrv und achievements of the Republican 

 party of the United States. Wo hold up to tho world 

 tho record it has mode, both in war and in peace. Wo 

 do not ask that any of it be forgotten ; on the contrary, 

 we point to its great deeds, and recall them to remem- 

 brance : the suppression of armed rebellion, its un- 

 paralleled magnanimity to the overthrown enemies of 

 the I'nion, tho emancipation and enfranchisement of 

 an enslaved race, its determined purpose to honestly 

 pay the national debt, its further stand on tho side of 

 honest money, tho skill and prudence of its financial 

 management, and its steadfast purpose that justice 

 and right shall be done to all citizens of tho United 

 States under the laws, without distinction of race or 

 color or previous condition of servitude. 



