The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-10-21
The Force Bill,

Our democratic friends who are going
into spasms over the so called ''force bill"
which is a bug-a-boo upon which they take
particular pleasure in riding, may learn
something of federal interference under
democratic rule by reading the following
account of the dispersion of a distasteful
Kansas legislature at Topeka on the 4th of
July, 1856:
s'While the members of the Legislature
were in their respective halls waiting for the
hour of noon, to be called to order, accord
ing to a previous adjournment, Colonel
Sumner and his troops appeared. AT his
right was the military band, and close be-
hind about two hundred dragons in three
sauadrons. The military battle-fag was
atloat. The soldiers were drawn up around
the hall and along the street facing 1t, and
one hundred yards Off were two cannon
| posted so as to command the street, and
gunner were stationed by them ready for
the word to fire. An army surgeon was also
conspicuous, with his case of instruments!
This disposition having been made, three
other companies of dragons approached the
town from an opposite direction from which
| those stationed had come. Just before
| twelve o'clock Colonel Sumner entered the
hall and went up TO the platform. The first
clerk, Mr.. Tappan. proceeded to call the
roll, when Colonel Sumner said:
"'Gentlemen:-l am here to perform the
most painful duty of my whole life. Under
the authority of the Presidents prOclama-
| ton, l am here to disperse this Legislature.
and therefore inform you that you cannot
meet. l therefore order you to disperse.
God knows that i have no party feeling In
this matter, and will have none so long as i
occupy my present position in Kansas
Judge Schuyler, a member, asked, Are
we to understand that the legislature are
driven out al the point of the bayOnet?' u
shall use all the force in my command t.
carry out my orders! was the reply. The
representatives then dispersed, and the
officer then proceeded to the senate chamber
and ordered the clearance of that body.
My orders are that YOU must not be per-
mitted to meet, and l cannot allow you tC
do any business, said Colonel Sumner. The
presence of the troops was enough. Mr..
Pillsbury said, Colonel Sumner, we are in
10 condition to resist the United States
troops, and if you order us to disperse, we
must disperst.' Colonel Allen suggested
that this be taken as the expression of all
members, and this was assented to. Colonel
Sumner then left the hall, and the dragons
were filed away"
There is this difference however between
the intended effect of the aforesaid bill and
that high handed piece of democratic tyranny
to-wit, namely: The bill is in the aid of the
oppressed, while the federal government in
dispensing the Kapsas Legislature was in aid
of the oppressOr. More recent developments
of southern democrats IN driving out their
half brother, Gen. Weaver, and his female
assistant, shows that though more than one
generation has passed since the Kansas out
RACES were perpetrated, they are just as
ready and willing with the help of a few
dough-heads' IN the north, to repeat their
devilish performances.
If more of the northern cousins of these
southern democrats would visit them and
undertake to shoot their mouths off, the re-
publican majorities would be increased.
Those yahOos would send 'em home with a
flea in their ear as big as a tarantula.
WARD.
Iaippsburp OctOher 1S 100.