Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-16
LOADED CANNON
Menace the State Capitol at
Topeka, Kansas.
The PopuIists Threaten the Republi-
cans with Force of Arms.
The Latter Hold the Fort and Must be Bodily
Removed.

TorEkA Kan, Feb. IA military
company Is stationed near the arsenal with
guards posted. Two cannpns run out of the
arsenal are loaded with shot, and every
thing wears "A decidedly warlike appear
ance. The militia have now control of
the situation. and every movement of the
Populst House will depend on the action
of the Executive. Colonel Hughes of the
Third Regiment, Republican, was relieved
from duty because he refused 10 obey the
adiutant general, and Col. J. W. r. Hughes
is in active command.
Companies are stationed at the four main
entrances to the capitol. The Populists
have decided not to force the issue by as
sault upon the Republican position in Rep
resentative hall, but to conquer the enemy
by siege. The Republican House is in no
condition To stand prolonged siege. 1t
has neither supplies nor means of obtain
ing them.
During the excitement prevalent at noon
they succeeded in running the Populist
blockade and secured sandwiches and cof-
fee for lunch. Enough was left over for
meagre meal this evening, but when that is
gone there will be left no hope of eating
excep. at the cost of unconditional surren-
dors leading to Representatives hall. at all
entrances to and exits from the building
and no one is allowed to enter the building.
Any one can leave the hall who desires.
At t O'Clock the Republicans telePhoned
from Represc scntatives hall to caterer to
send a lunch to the hall. In the event of
being unable to get il through the lines, he
was instructed to take it 10 position under
al, ii. ,l.t, Il
elevate it by means of Il rope. The cater
er 5 messenger attempted To carry ont the
order, but was arrested by the pickets and
his stores captured.
The janitor of the building having by
Adjutant- General Artz's order turned of
the steam in Representatives hall, the Re
publicaus have been without heat all day,
hut managed to keep reasona' ly warm by
wearing their overcoa,s and has.
The Republicans have barrica,ied the
doors of Representatives hail from the ln-
side, and now have $50 deputy scrgeant-at-
arms on the inside to resist any effort on
the part of the officers of the Populist
House to gain admission. Speaker Doug
lass has gwen orders tu admit any of the
Popuhst members who hold certificates,
hut no officer or member of the Populist
House is to be recognized. One hundred
Republican sergeant alarms are on the out
side to guard the doors and prevent rush
hy the Popuists.
At the instance of Joseph Waters, the
Republicans this afternoon appointed
committee to visit Governor Lcwelling and
agree, if possible, upon suspension of
hostiities. They proposed that both Houses
agree to adjourn until the case could be
heard in the supreme court and finally ad-
judicated.
The Governor woulI not entertain the
proposition and suggested that the Republic
can House adjourn until tomorrow. The
Republicans would not consent to this.
Joe Waters said the conference come about
on the Governors request This the Gov
ernor denied and there was a war of words.
1t being evident that no agreement could
he reached the conference broke up and
the Republicans returned to the hall.
At G two Republicans. guards stationed
in the corridor ran across Mr.. Mickey.
Populst assistant state anditor. The
guards arrested him on the charge of hav-
ing assaulted n Republican eurl during
the mornings scrimmage. Mckay was
taken before the bar of the Home, rcpri-
man led by Speaker Douglas and
confined in the cloak room under
guard. Sh ,rtly afterwards Mckay plunged
through the door. Blood was streaming
down his face from severe scalp wound
his keeper had inflicted with walking
stick Mckay explained that he attempted
to opcu the door into the hall. when the
sergeant at arms. without warming. struck
him. The sergeant says Mckay drew re-
voiver and demanded his release. where
upon the sergcant-at-arms struck him. Nc
KAY was then allowed to go. He is not
seriously injured.
Their policy is to hold out as long as
possible; prevent the entrance OF tir
militia 10 til. hail If possible, and should
the troops gain an entrance, TO submit To
removal from the hall. They will compel
/ the troops to remove each member bodily.
| At 10 tonight the Repnhl can House IS
still besciged in Representatives hall
Three companies of provisicnal troops have
been mustered in to aid the militia. bfher
trrops are on the way lither from all parts
of the state. The Republicans issued
call for volunteers TO support thrir position,
and Republicans from all over the state are
responding BY huudre,!s.
At midnight Gov. Iewel!ing entered the
hail and ordered the Republicans 10 surreB-
der.
/, The excitement is intense and tloo'lshe'i
is feared tomorrow People are iiocking to
the city by thousands The PopuiTs will
probably try to eject the Republicans from