Evening journal., 1891-01-09
A nir rieht n Nebra.I,a.

A Big Fight In Nebraska.
LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 9-The widest ex-
citement reigns here over the fight for con
troll Of the legislature, many disturbances
have occurred and Governor Thayer has
called ont the militia to preserve order.
The Republicans and Democrats both bat
tied with the Farmers Alliance to secure
the seating OF Governor-eleot Boyd When
the Legislature met in joint conference to
canvass the vote on state officers, Lieu
tenant Governor Meikeljohn and Speaker
Elder, OF the house (alliance), both claimed
that they were entitled TO preside. Both
attempted to WELD the gavel at once aud
pandemonium reigned.
Two Speakers Presided.
Speaker Elder refused TO canvass the
votes, and the lieutenant governor said no
business could be done until the canvass
was finished This brought about a dead
lock. The Alliance is contesting the cleo
tion Of the Democratic governor and tho
Republican state officers. Meikeljohu,
who is Republican, holds that it is his
duty TO declare the officers having a ma
jority on the face Of the returns elected,
and If there is to be contest it must be
nouncement is made.
On Thursday the Alliance captured the
house, put Elder in as speaker and put a
Gordon OF assistant sergeants-at-arms about
him. Lieutenant Governor Meikeljohn
got in through the cloak room and was
served with an order OF ejectment, but he
deiied the officer and was taken into Gus
tody. The supreme court issued writ OF
mandamus compelling the speaker TO can
vass the returns.
There Was a Desperate Battle.
Sheriff McCloy served the writ on the
speaker only after a pitched battle. lie
was guarded by squad of police, and
Capt Carlier's clothes were torn Off, but
after smashing hats and heads with their
clubs they secured entrance and the writ
was served Meikeljohn then declared the
session adjourned, aud the Republicans
and Democrats filed out Of the house. FL
der then called the alliance members to
order and directed the roll 10 be called.
When the Democrats and Republicans nt-
tempted to leave the floor the alliance SER
geant-at-arms closed the door and attempt
ed to keep them in. He received a punch
in the eye and the doors were speedily
opened. Free fights occurred every few
minutes Nat Brown, of Omaha, had an
alteration with an alliance man, result
ing in the alliance man being sent to the
hospital for repairs.
Elder Was Ousted.
Elder called the eighteen senators and
fifty-fiye representatives Of the alliance to
order as joint session, but Attorney GEN
eral Leese advised submission to the orders
OF the court. Nevertheless Elder was de-
clared presiding officer Of the joint session
and the alliance men started work. Mr..
Meikeliohn went out in the corridor at 2
o'clock and the doorkeepers refused TO re-
admit him. The lieutenant governor ap-
pealed to Governor Thayer, and the gov
ernor ordered that unless Meikeljohn was
admitted, the militia would take him in
at the point Of the bayonet. Meikeljohn
was admitted, aud walking directly 20 the
speakers chair, he demanded: "Mr.
Speaker, do understand that my passes
will not be honoredsn
tTll see that it's done,n replied the
speaker. Meikeliohn's passes had been
refused at the door by the alliance SER
geants-at-arms. Meikeljohn finally gained
the mastery and presided. He appointed
secretary, and the returns were received
and the speaker said they were all right.
The doors were then opened and the crowd
let in.
The militia cleared the state house
grounds several times, but the people
crowded by them every time they could,
and bowling mob surrounded the capi-
toll 1t was only when a squad OF forty
policemen arrived that any kind Of order
prevailed.
Governor Boyd Sworn In.
Governor Boyd was then sworn in as
governor by Chief Justice Maxwell, Of the
supreme court, and took the oath Of Office
before a notary public, as did also all the
Republican officers elected. Then an al
lance member introduced resolution tC
the effect that the election was void and
refusing to recognize any Of the officers
elected, and also censuring the supreme
court. After much delay and discussion
! the resolution was adopted by strici
party vote-70 to 50-the Republicans and
Democrats voting no. The joint session
then adjourned.
Thayer Proposes TO Hold over.
At o'clock last evening Governor-elect
Boyd called on Governor Thayer and wal
informed that the latter would not give NJ
the Office on the ground that Boyd was MOI
a citizen of the United States and therefor,
not eligible. Governor Thayer has barri
caded the executive Office and remains in
side with policemen and company o.
militia on guard. It is understood he viii