The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-01-14
Conflict Between Alliance Men And
the Old Political PARTIES

Conflict Between Alliance Men And
the Old Political PARTIES
I4xcoLx. Neb, Jan 0.-The expectations
Of high old time in the Nebraska Lsgisla-
ture 10 day consequent upon the determina-
ton Of the raw material Of the Farmers Al
lance uasjoriiy TO do something wonderful,
and the equally strong determination Of The
Republicans and Democrats TO have their
way. we're all realized. The miiitis was
called out TO preserve order. eyes were black
ened and heads tlhumped, and in the end the
skill of trained politicians prevsiled-Boyd,
Democrat. was declared elected Governor ara
the Republican nominees 10 The other stale
officers were declared elected.
Al the doors Of the Representative Hall
were closely guarded this morning, and none
but members Of the Legislature, State officer
and persons having business inside were ad-
mitted. The Alliance members had taken
possession Of the house at O'Clock in the
morning. They placed the Speaker IN the
chair and put Gordon Of assistant Sergeant
farms around him. Lieutenant Governor
Meikeljohn got IN through the cloak room
and was served with an order Of ejectment,
but be defed the officer and was not taken
into custody Both sides bad force Of
sergeants' at Arms within call, and any at
tempt on either side 70 proceed with the can
vass would have precipitated row. To
avoid this a committee from each party was
sent with a statement OF the case to the Su-
preme Court. asking that body for decis-
ion as to which officer has the constitutional
right 10 preside. The Supreme Court issued
a writ Of mandamus. compelling the Speaker
10 canvass the returns. This was point in
favor o { fGovernor-elect Boyd, and the Re-
publican Democratic combination and won
lirst blood.
Sheriff Mccoy served the writ on the
Speaker only after a pitched battle. He
was guarded by a squad Of police and Cap
tain ciarker's clothes were torn of, but
after smashing hats and heads with their
clubs they secured entrance and the writ
was served. Lieutenant Governor Meikel-
iohn then declared the session adjourned,
and the Republicans and the Democrats filed
oat Of the House. Speaker Elder then called
the Alliance members to order and directed
the roll to be called.
When the Democrats and the Republicans
attempted 10 leave the floor the Alliance
Sergeant. al Arms closed the door and at
tempted to keep them in he received a
punch in the eye and bloody nose as the
result, and the doors were speedily opened.
Free fights occurred every few minutes.
Nat Brown. Of Omaha, had an alteration
at the door Of the House with an Alliance
man, resulting in the Alliance man being
sent 10 the hospital for repairs.
Elder called the IS Senators and So Repre-
sentatives Of the Alliance to order as joint
session, but Attorney General Leese advised
submission to the orders ofthe court. New
ertheless Elder was declared the presiding
officer of the Joint session. and the Alliance
men started to work. Governor Thayer
tried to quiet the crowd, but to no result.
1 Mr.. Meikeliohn went out in the corridor at
/ , O'Clock, and the doorkeeper refused TO ad-
NIT him.
At 2.I5 Speaker Elder again called the join
session to order. The Republicans and Demo
Gratis were ia their seats and answered th'
roll call. Liutenant Governor Meikeljohr
held his position in front of the Speaker
stand which was crowded with Alliance men
Chaplain DifTenbocher prayed that tn
Almighty would give the Legislators ther'
assembled grace to control themselves anC
faithfully perform their duties. Then Mel
keljohn Immediately assumed control OF th,
joint Assembly.
This was scarcely objected to by the Ali
ance men. most of whom were becoming dis
gusted with the tactics OF the leaders.
was 4 o'clock when Speaker Elder com
menced, at Meikeljohn's request, to read th'
returns As slowly as he could, the speake
called of the vote of each county.
In the meantime filibustering was contin
ued Chief Justice Cobb, Of the Suprem
Court, sent in word that the men who advis
ed the Alliance men to disregard the man
date Of the Court would be dealt with yer,
severely This bad a soothing effect on tn
obstruction;sts in the lobby. At $50 th
Speaker finished the canvass and formall
declared that James f Boyd, Democrat, ha
been duly elected Governor This declara
ton was also made in reference to the Re
publican State ticket below Governor.
Then an Alliance member introduced
resolution 10 the effect that the election Wa
void and refused to recognize any Of tn
officers as elected and also censuring th
Supreme Court. After much delay and dii
cnssion the resolution was adopted by
strict party yote-70 to So, the Republican
and Democrats voting no. The joint ssssio
then adjourned
To guard against emergencies all the Stat
officers took the oath Of office privately to
day. Nobody knows what is in store.