Omaha daily bee., 1893-02-15
VAR BEGUN IN REAL EARNEST
Kansas Populists aud Republicans Engage
in Street Row.
WHAT THE TROUBLE ALL STARTED OVER
Attempt OF the Republicans to Arrest Clerk
Rich OF the Populist House Precipitates
a Small Riot-Further Trouble
Is Anticipated.

earnest between the two horses Of the legis-
iature and blows have been exchanged.
II There are now open thre IS by the populists
Of sensational hoslii;ies and at any moment
there may he something more than the talk
which has been 50 long INDUCED in.
An attempt by the deputy sergeant-at-
Il eims Of the republican house to arrest
Ben c. Rich, clerk Of the popuIist house,
on orders from the republicans, was the
cause Of the conflict, during which two re
pubiicans were knocked down and several
men on each side were badly bruised by
blows Of fists. The encounter occurred in
the very center Of the city and created great
excitement.
What will be the outcome OF the trouble
no one now attempts 10 foretell, but n is
generally agreed that tomorrow will witness
the most exciting scenes known in Kansas
for ye.rs
The trouble all arose out Of the aggressive
attitude assumed by the republican house
this morning. + w Hoch Of Marion said
the people were ,ired Of the legislative farce
and demanded that the Legislature get down
TO business He knew Of two ways 20 settle
the qnestion-either TO knock down or 60
into the courts. He preferred the latter
aud in order to bring the matter before the
courts he proposed action set forth in a reso-
luton which he introduced.
Directed the Arrest of Rich
This resolution declared that Ben C. Rich,
clerk Of the populist house had unlawfully
interrupted the proceedings Of the legally
constituted lower house of the legislature
4 and prevented the transaction Of public bus
mess, and directed the sergeant-at-arms to
4 arrest him and bring him before the bar Of
the house to show cause why he should not
be punished for contempt
The republicans promptly adopted the res
clution, and the sergeant-at-arms with two
assistants, went in search Of Rich In the
meantime the populists had arranged 10
meet force with force and if the republican
sergeant-at-aTms had appeared in the house
with the populist clerk there would have
doubtless ensued riot Of big proportions.
II so happened that Rich could not be
found, and after waiting until o'clock the
republicans adjourned until tomorrow at Q
a. IN. The populists ieered their opponents
for weakening and guyed them unmerci-
fully as they marched out Of the hail.
Mean ,yhile, the sergeant-at-arms had
found Rich at the Dutton hotel and read the
warrant to him, demanding at the same
time that he accompany him.
John w Breidenthal, chairman Of the
popuiist central committee Fred Bailey and
J Others 1nterfered in behalf Of Rich and i'm
mediateiy there was a great crowd Of people
In the hotel. After a brief struggle the
crowd moved, out upon the. street and with
Rich in custody of both republicans and pop
ullsts the crowd moved up the avenue.
WarlIlSe Scenes Ensue.
At the corner Of Ninth and Kansas avenue
the republicans tried to run Rich over to the
Copeland hotel, and a warli1e scene fol
lowed.
In the struggle Representative Ryan
| Knocked down republican Sergeant alarms
! Young. and immediately got astride him,
! while Mr.. Breidcnthal had to use force TO
Il get rid of a republican who was trying to
pull him away from Rich. Populist Reading
Clerk 5. NJ Scott struck republican Assistant
Sergeaut-at-Arms Jordan inficting wound
under the eye. Other blows We're struck,
but no further damage was done.
In the end the populists got their man
away and took him TO the governors Office.
from where few minutes later he was tri
umphantly escorted into the hall oft house
Il of representatives, his wife holding one arm
and Repre- sentative Wordsworth of Atchison
the other His appearance in the hail was
greeted with cheers and clapping of hands.
Speaker DunsmOrc in calling the house to
order referred to the street encounter, laying
al the blame upon the republican house and
defending the course Of the populists. After
the roll had been called the following pre-
amhle and resolutions were adopted:
Resolutions of the Populists.
Whereas, An attempt has been made TO ar
rest the chief clerk of this house by organ
ized mob calling themselves the republican
house OF representatives, but which be-
therefore, bell -"'-- O-N'
Resolved, That we, the legally organized and
the state OF Kansas that the mob was foilcd
and that ''our flag is still here"
Later the republicans svore out warrants
before Justice Chesney charging Represen-
tative Ryan and Reading Clerk Scott with
assault ana battery. A constable appeared
in the hall 10 arrest them, but they declined
To accompany him until they had received
advice.
Ryan consulted with his friends and an
nouncod that he would neither go with the
constable nor give bond Tor his appearance
fingered 1ala arfrlir Cd
and announced that he would make the ar
rest even If he had 10 summon posse
The constable nnuing that an attempt TO
make the arrests while such great excite.
ment prevailed might precipitate serious
trouble, made no attempt 10 serve the war
rants and win not until tomorrow, and may
materially.
y Good Chances for Riot.
If indications count for anything. tomorrow
will witness a stubborn hattie between the
republicans and populists. The republicans
are determined TO effect the arrest Of Popu-
ulist Clerk Rich, ana the populists are deter
mined 10 defend him against arrest
Speaker Douglas this afternoon issued a
call for volunteers 10 serve as assistant ser
r geanls-al arms To aid the scrgeant-at-arms
In efectlnC Rch's arrest At 10 O'Clock To-
night $50 men had responded TO the call and
had taken thO oath Of Office
Populist Speaker DuusmoTe swore in
twenty assistant sergeants 10 act as body
guard for Chief Cle'k Rich. The guards ac-
ccmpanied him 10 his hotel and a detach-
'nent Is tonight standing guard at the door
OF Ills room and win allow no one 10 enter
The duty Of this guard tomorrow viii he TO
protect Mr.. Rich from arrest. The populist
hose does not meet until ! o'clock in the
Afternoon, ana during the morning the popu-
list memb bers Will gather al Rich's hotel and
holG themselves in readiness 10 reinforce the
clerks bodyguard should the latter be in
sufficient In number to Withstand the re-
publican attacks. The 100 repu blican assist
ants viii support the republican sergcani-at-
arms When he attempts To arrest Rich, and
II IS hard 10 see how a riot is 10 be averted
The popullsts take the stand that the re-
pubIcan house has no legal standing ana
~ Is no more than . mob when il attempts
the arrest Of the clerk Of ynat they claim
70 be the legal house If disorder results To-
morrow the governor announces his inten-
uon OF calling out the militia 20 disperse the
republican mob and maintain peace
Democrats and PoPulists Fan Out.
CHErENNE, Wyo., Feb. IA bin was