The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1891-01-15
Lincoln (Neb.) dispatch

Papers Served on Lieut.. Gov. Meiklejohn
with TroubIe-The Executive Office Bar
ricaded.
Lincoln (Neb.) dispatch.l
When it became known yesterday
morning that Lieut.. Gov. Meiklejohn in
tended to preside over the joint conven-
ton, and that he would refuse to enter
| tain any motion looking to the transac-
ton of any other business than the mere
ministerial act of canvassing the returns
Of the vote, it was apparent that unless
Meiklejohn could be deposed Boyd would
be inaugurated without delay. The great
struggle, therefore. was over the ques-
ton of who should preside.
All the doors of the Representative
hall were closely guarded, and none but
members of the Legislature, State Off
GERS and persons having business inside
were admitted All members were on
hand promptly, although they found
great difficulty in pushing their way
through the crowds that filled the corri-
doris and besieged the Capitol at all
points The Alliance members had taken
possession of the House at 5 o'clock in
the morning. They placed the Speaker
in the chair and placed Gordon OF as
sistant Sergeant-at-arms around him.
Lieutenant Governor Meikeljohn got in
through the cloak-room and was served
with an order of ejectment. Both sides
had force of sergeant-at-arms within
call, and any attempt on either side to
proceed with the canvass would have
precipitated row. To avoid this q
committee from each party was sent with
a statement of the case to the Supreme
Court, and the House waited several
hours in suspense for decision as to
which officer had the constitutional right
to preside
The first and second floors of the State
House were crowded with people who
were becoming demonstrative. Meikle-
john and Elder agreed not to call the
session to order till IL o'clock. In the
meantime four Republicans, four Demo
Gratis, and four Independents were out
as nOn-official committee attempting to
patch up the trouble Elder and his
Sergeant alarms held the Speakers
stand, while Meiklejohn held the Secre-
tary's desk. j. w. Love attempted to
go to Meiklejohns side, but the Assistant
Sergeant-at-Arms halted him. Love
thrust the official aside and proudly
marched to the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
desk.
The crowd became SO disOrderly that
an attempt was made to force the doors,
but crowd of Independents held them
fast Gardner of Douglas rushed to the
door, followed by a crowd of Democrats
and Republicans. A fight ensued. Gard
ner was seized by half a dozen Independ-
ents. and an equal number of Democrats
and Republicans went to his assistance.
Blows were exchanged. "Pap" Hastings
and Marshal McCloy locked arms around
each other, and crowd from the hall
way, led by bud" Lindsey of Lincoln
and "Nat' Brown of Omaha, fought their
way through the crowd, breaking down
the doors and clubbing their way to the
Speakers stand. Gardner was the vic
tim, receiving several painful scratches
AS Hastings and McCloy reached the
Speakers stand Meiklejohn called the
member to his seat and the roll was
called.
Every pane of glass in the two big
doors was shattered. The battle at the
DOORWAY lasted five minutes only, but it
seemed an hour
The disturbance became so great that
Company D of the National Guard was
ordered out. The sight of the militia
men, with breech-loading guns, awed
the crowd for time, but it was not I'M
til a squad of forty police arrived that
the crowd was convinced that business
was meant The crowd knew full well
that the soldiers did not bear loaded
guns. and the toes of the militiamen
were trampled on with impunity. The
militia finally cleared the ground, but a
bowling mob still surrounded the Capitol.
The Democrat and Republican mem
bers agreed to return if Elder would
publish the returns Elder accordingly
convassed the vote.
At $3.50 o'clock the Independents were
in their seats, but transacted no bust
ness until the full body was present and
the Lieutenant Governor appeared and
called the convention to order. A num-
Der of conciliatory speeches were made,
and the Independents seeing that they
could not gain the returns, a resolution
was then passed receiving the full ALI
ance vote, declaring that the canvass
had been conducted under protest, and
that the Legislature in nOWise recOg-
niZed the election of the officers who
had been returned as receiving the high
est number of votes. The officers, how
ever, were sworn in promptly by Chief
Justice Cobb.
The contest will now go on as pre-
scribed by law There is prospect
that the Legislature will unseat every
one of the new officers.
Gov. Thayer has barricaded the Elk
ecutive office and remains inside with po-
licemen and company of militia on
guard.
The result of it all is that after two
days wrangling the Speaker has can
vassed the vote in the presence OF the
two Houses, the contestees have been de-
clared elected, and this evening Boyd
and the balance of the State ticket filed
their bonds and took the oath of office
required by the Constitution, and the
contestants are out. They say that they
will not give up hope and that the con-
test proceedings will be pushed for all
they are worth.
1t is understood that the Supreme
Court will be asked to pass on the ques-
ton of Boyds citizenship This will de-
lay the formal Inauguration and may re-
suit in declaring him ineligible.
AN eminent surgeon says that with
four cuts and few stitches he can alter
h mother would