GOEBEL, glvbel, WILLIAM (1856-1900). An American politician. He was born in Sullivan County, Pa., and removed to Covington, Ky., in early boyhood. He began the study of law in 1873, and was admitted to the bar. He won a reputation as a trial lawyer, and as a political speaker and leader in the Democratic Party, and in 1887 was elected to the Kentucky State Senate, to which body he continued to he reelected at every election up to and including 1898. He was active in building up a political machine, was unscrupulous in his methods, and aroused much bitter personal antagonism, particularly among the old-time leaders of the party. One of his personal quarrels culminated in his shooting and killing Col. John D. Sandford, for which he was acquitted on the grounds of self-defense. In 1897 he secured the passage of a bill of which he was the author, relieving the courts of all power in the appointment of election officials, and creating a State election commission of three members, to be chosen by the Legislature, not necessarily bi-partisan, which should have the power to appoint local boards on the same prin ciple. By this act, known as the 'Goebel law,' it was hoped to wrest the control of the State from the Republicans, and to assure Democratic ascendency for all time to come. The bill was
passed over the veto of Governor Bradley (Re publican), and was held constitutional by the State Supreme Court in December, 1898. In 1899 Goebel set out to secure the Democratic nomination for Governor, and after an exciting and bitter canvass was nominated in June. Se ceding Democrats, however, placed in nomination John Young Brown, and the election resulted in the choice of W. S. Taylor, the Republican candi date, by about 2300 votes. After the convening of the Legislature, January 1, 1900, Goebel began a contest. The matter was referred to a legisla tive committee which it was understood was about to report in Goebel's favor, when, on Janu ary 30th, he was shot, while standing in front of the State Capitol, by an assassin concealed in a neighboring building, doubtless as the result of the political quarrel in which he was involved. The Democratic members of the Legislature im mediately declared him Governor, and the oath of office was administered to him on January 31 st. He died on February 3d.