The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-02-24
HOW THE ROW STARTED.
The Arrest of the Populist Chief Clerk BY
the Republican Sergeant-at-ArKns Pre-
cipitated a War at Topeka.

The Arrest of the Populist Chief Clerk BY
the Republican Sergeant-st-Arns Pre-
cipitated a War at Topeka.
A crisis was reached in the legislative
muddle at Topeka on Tuesday, Febru-
airy Il by the republican house adopt
ing a resolution offered by Mr.. Hoch,
speaker pro tenn, who in addressing the
house reviewed the situation since the
legislature met and which had existed
ever since with no prospect of settle
ment He, therefore, offered resolu-
ton the preamble to which recited that
Ben. C. Rich (chief cerk of the populist
house, had by boisterous language
been in the habit daily for
some time past of disturbing the pro-
ceedings of the house of representa-
tives, and that ''such conduct has great
ly interrupted and interfered with the
transaction of public business by this
house, and has impeded and still i'm
pedes necessary legislation in the in
terest of the people of the state of Kan
sas," he, therefore, offered this resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That by such action and conduct
the said Ben C. Rich has been and is guilty OF
contempt OF this house and the speaker is here
by authorized and directed 10 cause said Ben
c. Rich to be forthwith arrested by the ser
geant-at-arms and brought before the bar Of the
house TO show cause. il any be have, why he
should not be punished for such contempt, and
that said Ben C. Rich be held in custody by said
sergeant-atarms subject to the further orders
OF the house of representatives.
As soon as the resolution had been
passed, Speaker Douglass directed the
sergeant-at-arms to carry out the order
of the house. Sergeant-at-Arms Clcv-
enger was not in the city and three as
sistants-Jordan, of Rice county; w. IL.
Young, of Wyandotte county, and L. E.
Clogston, of Greenwood county-started
out Immediately IN search of Mr. Rich.
They went to the Dutton hotel and pro-
ceeded to Rich's room, where they
found him in company with his wife
and ID. NJ. Howard, of Shawnee county.
The resolution of the republican house
was read to Rich and he was immedi-
ately placed under arrest. He said he
did not recognize the officers who ar
rested him as having any authority, but
intimated that he would go after finish
ing his dinner. Before finishing his
dinner many of Mr.. Rich's political
friends had assembled at the hotel
Soon after 1 o'clock the republic
an officers and Rich started for the
state house. The populist friends of
the chief clerk gathered around him
and fight ensued in which several of
the republican officers Jared badly.
Rich was taken away from them and
escorted to the house by his friends In
the meantime the republican house had
adjourned until morning.
The republican officers finally gave
up the attempt to hold him, and Rich
and his friends proceeded to the state
house, reaching the hall few minutes
before the hour of the meeting of the
populist house, 1880 o'clock. When
Speaker Dunsmore called the house to
order he made short speech in which
he said:
81 very much regret the events which
led 20 the exciting scenes of the past
few hours. We have elected legal
majority of the house of representa-
| tives and have passed ten bills which
have become laws as soon as they have
been signed by the governor. If we are
| in the right, as we know we are, we
viii surely win and have nothing TO
/ fear. l wish to advise the members of
this house to remain on the side of
I peace and order. If we are forced to
/ by circumstances we will press into
service the forces OF the state to main
! tain our constitutional rights. No
matter what the excitement may be
keep your seats. This is simply a
/ question as to whether the Santa Fe
railway and similar corporations or the
I people are to control this state"
After the populist house had been in
session short time Mr.. Gest, of Jeffer-
| son, introduced the following:
| Whereas. An attempt has been made 10 ar
/ rest the chief clerk OF this house by an organ
! lied mob calling themselves the republican
I house Of representatives, but which we believe
! to be in reality the Santa Fe railroad; there
/ fore be il
! Resolved. That we, the legally organized and
! constitutional house OF representatives, pro-
| claim TO the state OF Kansas that the mob was
| loiled and that 'our flag is still there"
| This was adopted and that closed the
! active trouble of the first day.