The morning call., 1893-02-16
STORMING THE HALL.
fnt Republicans Were Determined to
Win the Fight.

Topeka, Kan, Feb. 15.-When the Re-
publican members of the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes went to the hall of the Legisla-
ture this morning they found that the doors
had been barred over night By the Popu-
lists. After a short consultation the
Republicans resolved to force an entrance.
and sledgehammers were brought into play
against one of the side entrances with such
good effect that the doors were soon demol-
ished. and the Republicans quickly filed
into the hall. Had the Popuists been in
session a conflict would surely have resulted,
but fortunately the Populist House ad-
journed yesterday till / O'clock this after
noon.
As soon as the Populists learned what
had been done Governor Leweling was
notified. He promptly called out the
militia and instructed them to proceed TO
the hall and eject the Republicans from the
floor.
The soldiers, too, were called 10 their
armoiy and turned out at once, marching
TO the Capitol grounds. and when the Re-
publlcans learned of the Governors action
they held hurried consultation as to the
course to pursue. No definite plan was de-
cided on. but individual Republicans tried
to induce the Santa Fe Railroad to call out
its shopmen to oppose the militia. Other
industries known to be in sympathy with
the Republicans were also asked to furnish
men for the same purpose.
Meantime the Populists were not idle.
Company c of the local militia had re-
sponded promptly to the call, having been
notified by Adjutant- General Artz last
night 10 be in readiness. They marched TO
ha Capitol urounda apd fnol nm o Noe{fior,
awaiting orders. Orders were also teIe-
grapbed to Holton and Marion for Com
panies ID and G..
Meanwhile, within the hall the Repub-
llcan members gathered and made a show
OF doing business. Great enthusiasm and
loud cheers were evoked by the presentation
TO Speaker Douglass of the sledgehammer
with which the entrance was effected into
the ball. and which Douglass subsequently
used in place of the gavel to call the house
to order.
A resolution was passed citing Chief
Clerk Rich Of the Populist House, and
Howard. Breidenthal and Scott to appear
before the House for contempt for resisting
the process of the House yesterday, when
an attempt was made to arrest Rich.
The Republican House passed re olu-
tion revie wing the situation and calling on
all the citizens Of Kansas for moral aid
and active support to help resist the forces
of anarchy and revolution"
There were tweDty-four assistant SER
geants-at-arms In the House when the Re-
publicans forced their way in. but they did
nothing to prevent ii. except to warn the
Republicans that they were destroying
State property and would be held account
able for 1t. The only weapons shown by
the Populsts were one Winchester and
couple of revolvers In the hands OF mild
young men, who made no attempt to use
them. They were captured by the Republi-
cans and will be preserved as trophies.
This morning the Santa Fe train from
Atchison and other places brought seventy
five Republicans to act as sergeants-at-arms.
and other trains are expected to bring addl-
tional re-enforcements. The Republicans.
anticipating trouble teegraphed for help
last night. Some messages were late being
delivered. but the recipients got out Of bed
at midnight to respond to the call.
When the Republicans took possession OF
the House they elected the Populists' SER
geants-at-arms. They say they propose to
hold possession. and have sent out for
dinner.
Tonight the Republicans have nailed.
barred and propped every door leading to
the hall. The Populists have decided to
freeze them out, and the janitor has shut off
the steam from the hall. The Populists
have also undertaken to starve out the Re-