People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-03-03

men to protept the republicans. He also
telephoned TO Washburn college and Sc
cured the services Of about thirty-hve
young men and boys, who came down
during the afternoon aud were sworn in
as deputies. The Douglass house
adopted the following:
WHEREAS, The house OF representa-
tives on Tuesday, the 18th day Of Febru-
airy, issued its legal process for the arrest
Of one Ben Rich on the charge Of con-
tempt OF the house; and
WHEREAS, The legally constituted off.
GERS OF said house, while attempting 10
enforce said process, were obstructed.
assaulted and interfered with by the fol-
lowing named persons, to wit: ]. W.
Breidenthsl, John F. Willis, S. NJ. Scott,
D. M. Howard, and were by said persons
prevented from enforcing the order OF
the house; therefor be it
RssOIved, That the sergeant at arms be
and he is hereby instructed to forthwith
arrest j. W. Breidenthal, Jno. f. Willis,
S. NJ. Scott aud D. NJ. Howard, and have
them brought forthwith before this
house to answer the charge Of contempt
Of the house.
Then they pulled up all the seats,
desks and tables that we're not in use
and stacked them up against the doors
as barricade, leaving step-ladder to
the transom as q means Of entrance and
egress. Fire arms, clubs and all sorts OF
weapons were passed around until every
man aid boy was armed. They had
been requested BY the governor to vscate
the hall, and expected the militia TO
come for the purpose Of eiecting them.
EXCITEMENT RAN HIGH.
Topeka was at fever heat. Before
night the principal streets we're crowded,
and groups OF intensely excited citizens
could be seen nywhere discussing the
situation. Both sides we're free to ex-
press their opinion as to what should be
done, and the aggressiveness Of the re-
publicans reached q point Of serious
threatening. This was the most mensc-
ing aspect Of the situation up to this
time. 1t was rumored that the militia
officers would not act under the COVER
nor's orders, and that the sheriff was
training with the local republicans,
which proved to be in part correct. Old
men shuddered to think of the probable
upshot. 1t was the less thoughtful who
held indignation meetings and declared
against the actions Of the governor.
Militiamen were being drilled and pa
trolled about the state house grounds
and tho air resounded with military COM
msnds. Things were surely assuming a
warlike appearance.
Governor Lewelling was cool and de-
liberate. He took no step without tax
ing calm counsel and considering the
effect. He paid no attention to the
threatening rumors Of personal violence
which came TO bis ears, 30 far as con-
cerned himself, but his great desire was
to avoid conflict without giving up the
principles for which he and his friends
we're contending. All night long he re-
NAMED at the state house counselling
with whoever had counsel to offer, study
ing his duties faithfully, and there is no
doubt but what he prayed more than he
slept, for sleep was a stranger to the
state house that night. About 7:3O
p. m. he went to representative hall
along with On escort and on reaching
the speakers desk addressed the assem-
bly, as follows:
GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
"GENTLEMEN:-No man among you
can deprecate the present situation
which exists here to-day more than do.
There is no desire on the part Of your
executive to institute any forcible pro-
ceedings here in this hall at the present
time or any other time. l earnestly en-
treat you as citizens Of the state Of Kan
sas, as men Of integrity and honor, as
know you are, to consider carefully and
cautiously the conditions which exist
and the possibilities which may arise in
the future.
"Under the present condition there is
only one course to be pursued. 1t is i'm
possible that there should be any reced-
ing on the part Of your executive from
the position held to-day, but / desire TO
ask you as citizens that you consider as
carefully as you may do, il there may not
be a way for an smicable solution Of
these difficulties.
81 earnestly entrest you as citizens not
to make it necessary for me to call upon
the military arm OF the government TO
enter and take possession Of this repre-
sentative hall.
"There has been some talk about
bringing the conditions which exist TO q
conclusion through the courts. 1t has
been said repeatedly by men who are on
your side that as soon as bills were
passed they would be brought into the
courts, and thus solution Of this diff
Guilty should be had. That act has al
ready been done, a bill has been passed
by the house OF representatives and
signed. II there is method Of solution
Of this difficulty in the courts, that
method OF solution is at hand. and / ap-
pesl to you as citizens whether it would
not be better to rest your cause upon
that solution rather than continue to re-
tain this hall. urge you as fellow citi-
zsns that you now surrender this hall to
the legal authorities Of the state; I
would deprecste exceedingly to have the
military enter this ball Of representatives;