New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-09
TIE FARMERS.

THE FARMERS.
Lincoln. Neb.. Ian. s.-Thc proceedings in the
Nebraska LEGISLATURE Yesterday and to-day nav"
bccn Of an extraordinary character. Al o'clock
Yesterday the Sciatc and House assembled IN
Joint session for the purpose Of canvasNing me
vote on State officers ~ prescribed by the Con-
stitution Trouble was precipitated at the out
set b. a MISUNDERSTANDING as 10 which oihcrr
should preside over The Joint convention Lieu
tenant Governor Micklelohn advanced IN the chair
10 preside claiming his right under the Nonstltu-
| ton, the statutes and the uniform practice oil
the Stale Speaker Elder. of the House. refused
TO vacatr and the two officers occupied chairs
side by side. claiming the gbvel. Inc Speaker
attempted to call the body TO order, but was him
self called 10 order by the observation-disclosures.
The hall was crowded ard the excitement was
intense but no demonstration was made beyond
some loud talking and a aumhcr Of motions to
change the plan OF proceeding the canvass These
EMOTIONS were declared OJt of order. The official
returns were Brought in by the Secretary of State
and laid before tho hod5.
The Speaker was directed by the Lieutenant
Governor TO open the package and read the re-
turns lie began The work. but was advised by
the attorney for the Independent party not 10 do
So He then refused 10 20 with the work.
The Lieutenant Governor ruled that no business
could be transacted until the returns were can
va>scd and this brought deadlock. The
Joint convention sat for nearly four hours. the
time being taken up by oratorcal fencing and
laborcd argument from each side 10 prove that
the other was in the wrong. At o'clock re-
cess was taken until / o o'clock to-day
Tho point involved is this: The Independent or
Alliance party is contcsting the election Of the
Democratic Governor and the remaining state
officers. all Republicans. They wish TO prevent
the announcement Of the election OF these officers.
evidently prcGerrng 10 seat The contestants dl-
rectly Lieutenant Governor Mcklciohn. who is
Republican. holds that It is his duty 10 dcclar"
the officers elected having a majority the face
of the returns: that il there is To he Il contest II
must I've begun in the regular way, after this an
nounccmcnt Of election is made. Tho Alliance
men arc in II majority. and had the speaker Of
tine Iousc been a stronger man. they would
undoubtcdly have brought affairs 10 a crisis YES
to-day by . show OF muscular well as numcr
cal strength.
All doors Of Representatives. Hall were closely
guarded thia morning ana none but members OF
the Legislature, State oficrIs and persons having
business within were admitted All the members
were on hand promptly. although they found great
difficulty IN pushing their way through the crowds
that filed the corridors and besiegcd the Capitol
at all points Tnc Alliance members had taken
possession OF tho l!ouS, at : o'clock in the morn
ing They placed the Speaker in the chair and
put IA Gordon Of assistant SorGcantsat-arns around
him. When Licutenant-Goycrnor Mck!cioh APP
pcarcd lac was not allowed 10 take his seat. bu,
stood in front OF The Speaker ready 10 call the
Joint session 10 order. st O'clOc; the Speaker
issued order for the arrest OF LicutCuaut-Gov-
ernor MicklcI0hu on She charge OF misconduct in
Office and breach of the peace. The Lieutenant
Governor dcfcd tie officer and was not I'll ken INTO
custody. Both sides had a force Of scrgeants-at-
arms within call AMI any attempt on either side
10 proceed with the canvass Of tir vote would
have prccipltJted icht. To avoid this u com
mIttcc from each part, SEM with a statement
OF the ease 10 the Supicn" Court. and at 10 80
a. N. the lIou~o was waiting IN Suspense for a
decision 80 which officer he'd ihc constitutional
right 10 preside
In the meantime Governor ihlyer had ordered
ont company OF National Guards and ~ I
o'clock they stacked arms in the corridors of =
Capitol Crowds arrived on every trlin 20 ~
tend III" Inauguration ~ Gorcr lor-cle, Boyd. a"d
considerable impotence was shown over the de
lay in counting the votes
A. 12:Ij if was understood that the supreme
Court had issued a VIII of mandarin, directing
The SDr1tcr OF the UOu>c - canvass the returns.
TIE SicrII of Lancaster County. with deputies
and b"Iln of tine supreme Court, bust in tnr
door, Of the House ard fought their Way through
the crowd Of Alllanc" men .unrI ng the entrance.
and tie writ WIS served ON the speaker
\ motion 10 take recess until o'clock WAS
declared carried h> tie Icutcuant-GOycr"or and
the Democrats and Republicaus filed ont Of the
hail. Tine Speaker Of the IIuu.c declared that no
recess had been taken, aud the Alliance members
remained aud the roll was called.