Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-02-25

SpOUsOOU pc1oSOo IA1O ROPAAACN AoNSS
but its friends were compelled to do some
hard fighting for it.
A committee of five has been appoint
ed by the republican house to inquire
into the facts concerning the taking Of
forcible possession Of representative hal
and compelling the republican members
toight their way and batter down the
door with a sIedge hammer.
The republicans have agreed to sup
port Waggener, democrat from Atchison,
for u. s. senator in case the supreme
court decides that the populist house was
not legally organized. Judge Martin
thinks there is nothing in this scheme
and that he will take his seat in the sen.
without much opposition.
The republicans all say they will sub
NIT to the decision of the court. The
populIsts will not agree to pay any atten-
ton to the supreme court and many of
the leaders say emphatically that it will
be disregarded. Time will tell and we
are nearing the close. We don't believe
that either party dares to defy the
opinion of the highest court in the state.
We stated last week that there was but
little use in trying to keep track of the
legislation that is going on. The situa-
ton is unchanged. It is only a moot
legislature. They are only playing legis-
lature. Nothing that has been done can
have any legal force. This upon the as
sumption that the supreme court will de-
eide in favor of the Douglas house. IL it
decides in favor of the Dunsmore house
it will be different. All depends upon
the supreme court.
Leland j. Webb died at Topeka last
Tuesday from the effect of drugs admin
istered by his own hand. Mr.. Webb was
a brilliant lawyer and well known all
over the state. He had been addicted to
drink for many years, having contracted
the habit in the war. At his own re-
quest he had been confined in an asylum.
His mind has been badly affected for
some time. He made a strong fight to
free himself from the liquor habit but be
was not strong enough.
The chief clerk of the populist house
testified in substance that he knew roth
ing about the organization OK his side of
the house. Said he did not call all the
names on the roll as it was handed to
him. Mr.. Dunsmore objected to some of
the names being called and somebody
didn't know who-handed him a slip of
paper containing some names which ne
called. The list from which he called the
names disappeared mysteriously. In fact,
the chief clerk whose business it was to
know, knew nothing as elected on cross
examination. His evidence leaves the
populists with nothing upon which they
can predicate an organization.
All are anxiously awaiting the decision
from the supreme court upon the legali-
ty of the populist house of representa-
tives. The Gum habeas corpus case
was taken up in the supreme court on
February 21st and a number of witnesses
examined. On the morning of the 22d
the case was adjourned until afternoon.
A decision In the case is looked for with
much interest as it settles all the princi-
pal legal points involved in the contro-
versy concerning the legal status Of the
rival houses. Pending the decision of
the supreme court the republican house
will not declare the seats of the populist
members vacant.
We feel proud of Kansas to-day! Not
on account of the disgraceful scenes that
have been enacted at the capital since
the legislature convened, but because,
Notwithstanding the great provocation,
the proceedings have been bloodless. We
doubt if the same number of men could
be massed in any other state of the
Union, under similar circumstances, I'M
der the influences of such infammatory
and incendiary resolutions and express
sions, without drop of bloodshed, ex-
cept as the result of an accident. And
when peace had finally been declared as |
the result of a compromise, grandly and
majestically the stars and stripes foated
above the west wing of the capital which
had been the scene of so much strife and
contention between the rival houses.
"The old flag was still thereT And the
multitude of people who were on the out
side and saw the beautiful banner un-
furled gave cheers that could be heard
beyond the Kaw, and strong men turned
aside to hide the emotions awakened by
the sight. Ultimately this embryo revo.
luton will be settled by decision of the
courts-the only legal tribunal of arbi-
tration-and we believe all loyal citizens
irrespective of party-will abide by
that decision.