Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-17

only thing needed to make war In Kan
sas is fighting.
The conditions Of war are all present.
Bellicose preparations were carried on
briskly by both sides all day, but the
Governor by offering to compromise the
difficulties which are keeping the two
houses apart, tempered the crisis of
into a very tame armed truce.
The proposition for compromise
was offered TO the Republican House at
, D. m. by the Governors Private Sec
retary, Ben Close. who stated that the
Governor proposed it as last resort to
avert bloodshed. If the Republican
House refused to accept it, then the
Governor would be forced to drive the
Republicans at the point Of the bayonet
out of the House, and he added, their
blood be on your heads"
This threat had been made so often
that the Republicans received 1t with
ieers. They received the proposition,
however, and II at once became the sub
ect Of earnest consideration. After
debating it for three hours the Repub
licans finally amended IL to suit their
own views and returned il to the Gov
ernor, the committe charged with that
duty being instructed TO inform the
Governor that the blood of innocent
men. slain by reason of his refusal to
accept the amendments, would be on
his head.
The committee had been out but a
few moments when it returned and an
nounced that IL had performed its duty,
that the Governor desired time TO con-
slider the amended proposition and
would give the committee his answer
tomorrow morning at Q o'clock. He
proposed that in the meantime an
armed truce should be established, and
neither side should make any hostile
move before that hour, that the Repub-
Leans should be allowed 10 come and go
as they pleased. The Republicans
agreed 10 it willingly.
The whole city OF Topeka, on its face,
appeared during the day TO be under
martial law. Bue-cOated troops were
marching and countermarching through
the broad avenues Of the city; men
wearing iutterng, yellow badges bear
ing the inscription, deputy Sheriff"
and armed with guns and clubs, were
visible everywhere, hurrying through
70 and fro.
The Governor had planned the dis
lodging OF the Republicans from Repre-
sentative Hall ct the point OF bayo-
net. In fact, he twice ordered Col.
Hughes, commandant Of the forces. to
attack the Republican stronghold. The
Colonel declined to obey tho orders, and
was relieved Of his command. Then
the Governor took personal command
of the troops. He ordered that no pro-
visions be allowed TO pass the lines.
His order was disregarded, and pro-
visions were taken into the Republican
fort without the slightest attempt TO
keep them out on the part OF the
guards.
The Republicans hit upon plan this
morning 90 strengthen their position,
and that was TO bring 20 their aid the
authority of the sheriff of the county
backed by posse of at least 1, 900 men.
The sheriff issued proclamation
summoning a posse at 10 O'Clock. by
noon a thousand men had been sworn
in. Not caring to take the risk OF arm
ing the recruits with firearms, the
Sheriff decided to arm them vita clubs.
All sorts of clubs were pressed into
service, clubs made from feather dust
ters with the feathers pulled out, clubs
made from chair legs and clubs made
from broom sticks. Still not enough
clubs could be imprOvised TO arm the
entire posse, and the Sheriff finally
bought all the base ball bats In the town
and placed them in the hands OF those
still unarmed.
This condition Of affairs, determined
the Governor TO seek to compromise
aud to al least gain a little time. More
telegrams were sent tonight 10 the
Populist strongholds throughout the
state. advising them OF the situation
and informing them that the pres
ence OF PopuliStS would be q
great support TO them both phys
ically aud morally. The prospects for
tomorrow are that the Populists will
decline 20 accept the proposition OF
compromise as amended by the Repu6-
leans. and that the situation will then
| Iapse back into to-day'S condition. In
that event the only resource left the
Populists will be reliance upon provi-
sional troops. The general feeling to-
night is one Of renewed uneasiness, and
predictions are freely made that to-mor-
row may see the long anticipated war
inaugGrated.
At two o'clock p. m. F. j. Close,
| Governor Lewelling's private secretary,
| appeared in the hall and, after brief
| address expressing the hope that the
trouble might be adjusted amicably,
read the proposition from the Cover
nor:
The Governor offered to withdraw
the militia, and not allow the Repubii-
can House, or its employees TO be inter
fered with, provided that all proceed
ings that have been commenced by the
Republicans arising from the arrest OF
| Ben c. Rich be dropped.
The House was disposed yet 10 DO
more than reject the proposition, but
/ after a thoughtful debate II was voted
10 appoint committee OF i've to pre-
pare a counter proposition TO the Gov
ernor. By this committee an ultima
tum was drafted, in effect that the Re
ppbIicans continue In control OF the
House. and that the clerks OF the two
Houses be arrested and proceedings be
1 peQun before the Supreme Court to de-
! eide which is the legally constituted
lIHsuse. 1t further provides that the