Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-02-16
GETTING SERIOUS.
An Effort Of the Republican House
at Topeka
Ben c. RICH ORDERED ARRESTED.


TOPEKA, Kan, Feb lj-lf indica-
lions go for anything there will be
battle between the Off .ers OF the rival
houses OF representatives to-day The
time for words and buster appears to
have passed and that for action TO have
arrived. What the outcome will be Is
purely a matter Of speculation, but the
most conservative men on both sides
admit with regret that disgracetul
scenes cannot BE- avoided. Each organ
ization is making all possible prepara-
ton and is fully determined TO main
tain its position.
Ben c. Rich, chief clerk Of the popu-
list house, was arrested yesterday and
promptly rescued by his populist asso-
GATES The initial skirmish was de.
cided victory for the house OF -Duns-
more, but while 1t caused great rejoic-
ing on the populst side, 1t aroused the
republicans to a determination to in
sist upon the arrest Of Rich, as ordered
by the house Of Douglass, at all hazards
Republican leaders discussed the situa-
ton, which they admit to be exceed
iugly grave, and conclu led that but
one thing remained for them to do: to
gather all the force necessary, organize
and enforce It's orders
Speaker Douglass began his prepare
tons for to.day's work early yesterday
afternoon. lie sent out trusted men to
enlist recruits to his force of officers,
md as rapidly as volunteers could be
obtained he swore them In and gave
them orders to report for duty. There
was no lack OF material with which Ia
! build an army. All the afternoon and
evening they struggled into the Cope.
/ land hotel, subscribed their names tC
the oath aud were mustered into service.
| About 100 had been received before
o'clock. Speaker Douglass says that
this force will arrest Ben c. Rich. II
It fails In this 1t will be increased until
It is powerful enough to overcome all
obstacles
So much for the war preparations Of
the republicans.
The pppulists have assumed the defen
sive The first gun must be fired by tn,
republicans. After that the populist'
will fight They take the position tina
the republican house has no authority
that 1t is in law mob and that IT.
officers or employees have no authority
to make any arrest On this groun,
they propose To resist, with force /
necessary, any aud all attempts to taxi
Ben Rich into custody Twenty assist
ant srrgean Is -at-arms were sworn in b.
Speaker Dunsmore yesterday Afternoon
TO constitute body guard for his chic
clerk. They will stay with him am
protect him from any eff irt to arres
him that NAV be made by the repuh
lican house officials
Seven OF the guard went with RicI
yesterday afternoon to conduct him II
3 safety from Representative hall to tn,
, senate chamber Three walked ahea
OF him and the remaining four brough
up the rear When the body guard an,
their precious charge entered the pres
ence of the dignihtd senators IA how
went up from the populi,t side. ClerI
Rich delivered his me sage in due form
the guard about faced aud marche
5 back to the house of Du smore.
The populist house took a recess at
o'clock until o'clock this Afternoon
the usual hour, which apparently give
, the republicans undisputcd posscs,io
}. Of Representative hall this morning
:. The hail, however. /, tightly locke
4 and no one is permitted to enter Til
has given rise to the report that the n
pub leans would be denied admission I
the halt This may or IN " not be tru,
! The populists deny it. Should it prov
true the republicans will attempt I
;, batter down the doors and force an cr
trance. hut no matter how many of
Z GERS the republicans swear in, it is no.
certain that the pppulsts will have IA
equal II not u larger number, aud q
y they have fun possession of the PR
| posed battle ground they have n grei
/. advantage
-. MIR Rich, after the adjournment La
v evening, was escorted to his hotel /
u his guard, portion of which RENAME
II on duty all night to prevent any su
" prise by the republicans 1t was r,
ported that Gov. Lewelling would issr
proclamation calling upon the millt
il to come to IonelSa to protect the peat
~. and gnity Of the st t.. The repo
~ hnd it that Judge W. c. Webb was pr
pairing the document to be ready {,
toe governor, signature this mornin
The governor could not be fou d eth
lie ut his hotel or his office Fred j. Clos
d his private secretary, said he kne
II nothing of his whereabouts, and MOI
Of his advisers would talk regardiT
'E the probability of the militia beiI
called out
a.,
kr tuc,y - Il mic.
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