The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-15
NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE.
Red-hOt Proceeding, In the JOInt Assembly at
Line0ln.

Rcd-h0t Proceedings In the JOIat Assembly at
Lincoln.
On Thursday, Jan. 8, all the doors Of the
hall Of Representatives at Lincoln, Neb., were
closely guarded and none but members of the
Legislature, State officers and persons having
business inside were admitted. The members
found difficulty in pushing their way through
the crowds that filed the corridors.
The Alliancapnembers had taken possession
OF the House at o'clock in the morning and
placed the Speaker in the chair. The cOntIO-
yersy was over who should preside over the
joint assembly, Lieutenant-G Governor Nickel
john having asserted himself the day previous
claiming the right under the Constitution of
the State to preside over joint deliberations
he had also ordered the Speaker of the House
to open and canvass the vote cast at the last
election. This was refused by the Speaker,
and then the matter was referred to the Su-
preme Court of the State.
When Lieut.-Gov. Meikeljohn appeared he
was served with an order Of ejectment, but he
defied the officer andWas not taken into custody.
Both sides had force Of Sergeants-at-Arms
within call, and any attempt on either side TO
proceed with the canvass of votes would
have preeipitated q row. To avoid this COM
mittee from each side was sent TO the Supreme
Court with statement Of the case, and they
asked that body as 10 which officer had the
constitutional right to preside. The Supreme
Court issued a mandamus compelling the
Speaker to canvass the returns, and allow the
Lieutenant Governor to preside. Sheriff Nc
ClOy served the writ on the Speaker after
pitched battle. lie was guarded by squad of
police, who after smashing hats and heads
with their clubs, secured entrance and the
Sheriff served the writ. The Lieutenant Gov
ernor then declared the session adjourned,
and the Republicans and Democrats attempted
to file out of the House, but were opposed by
the Alliance Sergeant-at-Arms, who closed the
doors. That functiOnary received punch in
the eye and another on the nose, which sub
dued him, and resulted in the doors being
thrown open. Free fights occurred quite FREE
quently.
The Alliance men, to the number Of Is
Senators and SO Representatives, were then
called TO order in joint session, when Attorney
General Leese advised submission to the order
of the Court, but the Alliance men proceeded
TO work with Speaker Elder, who was declared
presiding officer. Gov. Thayer tried to pacify
the crowd, but to no purpose. Lieut.-GOV.
McikeliOhn went out into the corridor, and
when he attempted to return was refused adj
mission. He appealed to Gov. Thayer, who
ordered him admitted, saying that unless the
order was complied with the militia would
take him in at the point Of the bayOnet.
Meikeljohn was then admitted, at once took
the chair, appointed Secretary, the returns
were received and pronounced all right by the
Speaker. they not having been tempered with.
Gov. Boyd (DemOcratl was sworn in as Gov
ernor by Chief Justice Maxwell and took the
oath of Office afterward before notary public,
as did all the other State officers (who are Re-
publicans) that were elected. At 4 o'clock
Speaker Elder. at Meikeljohn's behest, COM
nIenced to read the returns, which he did as
slowly Us possible, fillbustering going on in the
meantime. Chief Justice Cobb, Of the Supreme
Court sent word that the men who had advised
the Alliance men TO disregard the mandate Of
the Court would be severely dealt with, which
had q soothing effect. The canvass was finally
concluded, the Speaker declaring James 4. Boyd
elected Governor. and the same declaration
was made rs to the Republican State ticket be-
low Governor.
Matters were further complicated at night.
Goyernor-elect Boyd called on Gov. Thayer,
aud was informed that the latter would not
give up the office, on the ground that Boyd was
not citizen of the United States and wss
therefore not eligible. Gov. Thayer barri-
caded the Executive office and remained inside
with police and company of militia on guard.