Taylor V. Beckham (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Taylor v. Beckham, 178 U.S. 610 (1900), was a case heard before the Supreme Court of the United States on April 30 and May 1, 1900 to decide the outcome of the disputed Kentucky gubernatorial election of 1899. The litigants were Republican gubernatorial candidate William S. Taylor and Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial candidate J. C. W. Beckham. In the gubernatorial election, held November 7, 1899, Taylor received 193,714 votes to Democrat William Goebel's 191,331. This result was certified by a 2-1 decision of the state's Board of Elections. Goebel challenged the election results on the basis of alleged voting irregularities, and the Democratically-controlled Kentucky General Assembly formed a committee to investigate Goebel's claims. Goebel was shot on January 30, 1900, before the General Assembly approved a report. The next day, the Assembly approved a report that invalidated enough votes to swing the election to Goebel. Goebel was sworn into office on January 31, 1900, even as he lay dying of his wounds. Goebel died February 3, 1900, and Beckham ascended to the governorship.