Kentucky Politics 1875-1900

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Questions and Answers

What was P.Wat Hardin's stance on monetary policy during the election?

He advocated for paper money.

He supported free silver.

He endorsed the gold standard. (correct)

He remained neutral on the issue.

Which former governor refused to support P.Wat Hardin in the campaign?

Brown (correct)

Bryan

Buckner

Thomas S. Pettit

What was the primary reason some Democrats abandoned Hardin?

His radical spirit.

His opposition to the gold standard.

His alignment with the Populists.

His support for free silver. (correct)

Who was the presidential nominee for the Gold Democrats?

John M. Palmer Signup and view all the answers

In the 1896 election, how many votes did the Gold Democrats receive in Kentucky?

5,108 votes Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the vote in Kentucky regarding the Democrats?

Democrats carried Kentucky by a significant margin. Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the anger among farmers towards the Democrats?

They threatened to form their own party. Signup and view all the answers

What was the reported health crisis in Paducah, Kentucky, in 1900?

The nation's second highest rate of typhoid fever. Signup and view all the answers

What type of medicines were commonly advertised at the time?

Patent medicines with dubious claims. Signup and view all the answers

What did Dr. Radway’s Sasaparillian Resolvent claim to cure?

Multiple severe ailments including tuberculosis. Signup and view all the answers

What type of drug usage was prevalent among Kentuckians seeking relief during this period?

Morphine, cocaine, and opium. Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately kept the peace and avoided violence in the political conflict?

Wiser heads prevailing for a compromise. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant issue with the patent medicines available at the time?

Many were heavily alcoholic or laxatives. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary outcome of Blackburn’s prison reform efforts?

The new penitentiary faced immediate overcrowding. Signup and view all the answers

Which system was established to manage prisoner responsibility during Blackburn's reforms?

A state-responsibility warden system. Signup and view all the answers

What financial mechanism was introduced concerning convict labor in 1880?

Payment of $50 per convict per year to contractors. Signup and view all the answers

What major problem arose from the contractor system for leasing convict labor?

Abuses due to lack of supervision by contractors occurred. Signup and view all the answers

What challenges did Blackburn face from his own political party?

Condemnation and booing while defending his record. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the press have on Blackburn’s achievements during his term?

They ignored most of his accomplishments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions was taken by Blackburn and the legislature besides prison reforms?

Cut state salaries by one-fifth. Signup and view all the answers

What were the conditions that some inmates reported under contractor labor?

Malnourishment, overwork, and beatings. Signup and view all the answers

What motivated the religious mountaineers like George Barnes and Edward Guerrant to move to the region?

To combat what they perceived as ungodliness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals was involved in the Hargis-Marcum-Cockrell-Callahan feud?

James B. Marcum Signup and view all the answers

What was a common issue that led to feuds in the Appalachian region as mentioned in the content?

A biased legal system that offered no redress Signup and view all the answers

How did the punishments for Hargis and Callahan manifest after the criminal trials?

Through violent or fatal incidents Signup and view all the answers

What triggered the continual cycle of violence in 'Bloody Breathitt'?

Limited opportunities for legal justice Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the rivalry among the feuding factions?

Deeply rooted personal codes influenced by community ties Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happened to the individuals involved in the Hargis-Marcum-Cockrell-Callahan feud?

The feuds ended, but their consequences lingered Signup and view all the answers

What was established as a response to the lack of effective legal resolution in the Appalachian region?

A system of culturally accepted vigilantism Signup and view all the answers

What was the main proposal of the Farmers' Alliance?

Free and unlimited coinage of silver Signup and view all the answers

What would be a direct benefit of the proposed free silver policy for farmers?

Ability to pay off old debts with cheaper dollars Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the Farmers' Alliance organized?

1886 Signup and view all the answers

Which two parties opposed the free silver proposal?

Republicans and one faction of the Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

How many members did the Farmers' Alliance claim within five years of its formation?

125,000 Signup and view all the answers

What was the political outcome in the election mentioned, related to the Democratic Party?

The Democrats did not win a majority of ballots cast Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups did NOT seek solutions expressed in the content?

Socialists Signup and view all the answers

What major concern was voiced by the agrarian group in the 'Word of Warning'?

Impatience with existing grievances Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant issue discovered about Tate's financial management?

He embezzled over $247,000 from the state. Signup and view all the answers

How did Buckner's political career begin after the Civil War?

He had never held political office before. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the vote did Buckner receive in the closest contest since the war?

51% Signup and view all the answers

What ultimately happened to Tate's financial practices under Buckner's leadership?

They became more chaotic and led to embezzlement. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the funds that Tate allegedly used for personal loans?

They were offered as loans and not documented. Signup and view all the answers

Which political party did Buckner belong to during his election?

Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

What was one notable thing about Buckner's personal life?

He had a newborn son at the time of the election. Signup and view all the answers

What was the response of officials after Tate went missing?

They began to scrutinize his financial records. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Decades of Discord (1875-1900)

Kentucky experienced significant political and social turmoil during this period, marked by high levels of violence and feuds.
A prevalent political system characterized by patronage, personal politics, localism, and sectionalism, with voting blocs and bosses controlling much of the electorate.
Party affiliation heavily influenced voting decisions. Family ties and political loyalties were paramount in local politics.
County governments played a significant role in administering local affairs, with justices of the peace presiding over petty crimes, sheriffs collecting taxes, and county clerks managing documents.
Powerful political lobbies, notably the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, wielded considerable influence over state politics.
Political corruption and vote buying were reported commonly in the Kentucky political system during this period.
Violence, including lynchings, was a prevalent feature in the 19th century as mobs often enforced their own brand of justice.
Feuds in Appalachia, particularly the Hatfield-McCoy feud, were prominently featured.

Political System

Party affiliation was the primary determinant of voting choices, and political lines cut deeply through communities.
Families often supported the same political party across generations and maintained close ties.
Political positions were heavily influenced by personal loyalties and connections.
Rewards and positions in government were frequently offered to those who supported the prevailing political order.
Lobbies exerted considerable influence via patronage, money, and threats.

Feud Violence

Feuds, often involving families or clans, were characterized by violent retaliatory actions and spanned extended periods.
Feuds often stemmed from economic, political, or personal disputes.
Violence was prevalent in the Appalachian region of Kentucky, but other rural areas were affected as well.
Feuds frequently involved political alliances as leaders from different groups came into conflict with each other.
Mobs acted as a mechanism to enforce their judgment and punish perceived wrongdoers.
Violence against women and young boys were also common occurrences during this period.
The prevalence of easily accessible firearms amplified the potential for violence.

Kentucky Images and Stereotypes

Kentucky's 19th-century image was formed by political feuds and violence that were prevalent in the Appalachia region.
Stereotypes of the era included ideas of a violent and lawless region, or of self-reliant and hospitable communities.

McCreary Administration and Health Care

Violence was a prominent issue during the 1875 gubernatorial campaign. The political discourse was marked by conflicts between Democratic and Republican candidates.
Labor unrest and demands for better wages were prevalent in urban centers during this period in Kentucky.
The state had limited resources for healthcare services, and significant health threats from diseases like cholera, typhoid, pneumonia, yellow fever, and others characterized daily life in major cities and throughout the state.
Local-level efforts to enhance public health were largely lacking.

The Blackburn Governorship and Prison Issue

Luke Blackburn's governorship was marked by prison reform efforts, aimed at addressing the inhumane conditions in the state's prison system.
High levels of dissatisfaction were present among the Kentucky populace, despite the attempts of the governor to reconcile various factions.
Issues regarding financial instability and violence were common.
The state grappled with public health and sanitation.

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Description

Explore the political landscape of Kentucky from 1875 to 1900, a time of great turmoil and violence. This quiz covers the influence of family ties, localism, and powerful political lobbies on governance. Understand the role of county governments and the prevalence of corruption in electoral politics during this tumultuous period.