The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-17
TOPEKA'S LONG SIEGE.
THE REPUBLICANS HAVE THE
BEST OF THE FIGaT

OrderS-Cols Hughes Resigns His
Position.
Topeka, KAN, Feb. 16-At O'Clock
this morning the republican House was still
oesieged in Representative hall and force
Of state militia was still posted about the
capitol Col. Hughes again declined TO obey
the governors order to eject the repub-
hcans and the only resource the governor
has besides the regular militia Is" thres
companies Of provisional troops, composed
Of populists, who of course sympathizs with
the populist objects They would doubtless
make an attempt to carry out the order to
eject the republicans Col. Warner, who
has planned the republican campaign, says
of these provisional companies: They ars
the governors pet lambs. We are wolves
now and would devour IL given an oppor-
tunity.n The outlook this morning was a
belligerent one. The refusal of Col. Huges
TO obey the governors order baked the
populist programme.
Col. j. +. Hughes, commanding tbs
Kansas National Guard this morning for the
third and last time notified Gov. Lewelling
that be would not take charge Of the militia.
1t Is probable that the governor will appoint
another commander.
THE SHERIFF. AROUSED.
TOPEKA, KAN, Feb. 16, 10 M.-This
morning the Kansas war has changed it's
front. The line OF militia surrounding the
state house is between two fires. The re-
publican House, which she military forces
we're called out TO subdue still occupies Rep
resentative hall, and outside Of the grounds
the sheriff Of the county is organizing q
large force of deputies 10 take charge OF tha
soldiers and preserve the peace. The sheriff
has read the constitution and from it has
concluded that he alone ia the peace officer
Of this county and that unless he demands
it the governor has no right TO csll out the
militia. Late last night he informed the
governor that he would preserve the peacs
OF this county without any Interference
from the chief executive OF the state.
and TO do this he is organizing
a force which by the tine It is deemed
ready TO move will take full charge Of the
state house square, TO the exclusion Of the
military forces. The sheriff will meet with
little resistance from the military forces, as
"a majority OF the officers and enlisted men
are in full sympathy with the republicans.
Many Of the members Of the military COM
panies have already been sworn Ia as deputy
sheritfs. The sheriff established three re-
oruiting stations this morning and swore in
all who would volunteer as deputies. A
thousand deputies had been mustered at
noon. Twenty students from the State
University, under command of j. A. Rush,
who had been sworn In as captain.
arrived in the city this morning and were
promptly sworn in as deputies, and went on
duty. Students from Baldwin and Wash
burn colleges also volunteered in large
numbers.
ACTION OF THE GOVERNOR.
At IL O'Clock Gov. Lewelliug sent a notice
90 the republican House that unless they
vacated the hall within fifteen minutes he
would clear il by force. The only attention
paid to the order by the republicans was to
place additional guards at the doors The
governor at noon had failed to carry out his
threat A wagonload Of provisions, enough
TO keep the occupants Of the House supplied
Tor twenty-four hours. drove up to the west
wing of the entrance to the state house
about noon. The captain In command
or the company on guard there
relieved his men from guard
duty as the wagon arrived, and everything
10 contained was carried into the hall with
OUT hindrance. AS soon as this was accom-
plished the soldiers again went on duty at
10 o'clock. Gov. LewellinR dismissed Col.
Hughes aud took personal charge Of all the
military forces He has, however, given no
orders to the men to move, and says that
be will appoint no successor 20 Col. Hughes.
The colonel Is now deputy sheriff. All Of
the deputies were ordered to report at l
o'clock sharp, armed and ready for immedi-
abandoned the field. The crisis raised by
Sheriff Wilkerson's calling out a posse
OK l,OOO men to defend the
republican position Is SO critical
and one 80 filled with embarrassing difficul-
ties that they decided not TO meet II. AT
noon the governor held conference with
the populists members Of the House and
various leaders Of the party. The governor
said that the militia could not be depended
upon to carry out his orders; that the re-
sistance OF the l25 men comprising the force
Of deputy sergeants and the 100 provisional
troops, all that could be depended upon TO
stand loyal. would be useless before
IL was decided TO hire O hall
downtown for the populist House, and there
the meetings Of the populist House will be
held until the difficulties are settled. This
action Is looked on by some as "bluff,"
but 1t Is generally regarded as the logical
outcome OF the sheriff's action IN summon
ing bis posse to support the republican po-
sition.
HOW THE NIGHT WAS SPENT.
TOPEKA, KAN, Feb. l6, 8 p. M.-The res
publicans held Representative hall last night.
The stairways leading to it were blockaded
with ladders. lumber. doors and everything
that could be found that would obstruct the
passage and prevent a rapid ascent Dy a
force OF men. The doors were barrIcaded
ana during the long hours OF waiting all
manner OF means were resorted to TO kill
time. Speeches were made, songs sung.
cards played and the House roll was called
every hour On the floor below soldiers
paced up and down. Every entrance to the
state house was locked. and no person was
permitted to pass either in or out. All the
occupants OF Representative hall were
a state of siege. Food was sent
TO the imprisoned statesmen in baskets
hauled in through a window by means OF a
rope. This morning the mail carriers took
food TO the legislators, the military forces
fearing TO stop them, or TO deny them right
OF admission. The United States marshal
was ready with force OF deputies to arrest
all Of the militiamen and governors of
icers In case the mail carriers were inter-
fered with. He was given no occasion TO
call on bis deputies.
A GATLING GUN ON THE SCENE.
A company Of artillery arrived from
Wichita this morning under command OF
Capt. Metcalfe. 1t brought gatling gun
with 1t. Before its arrival some one re-
moved q portion of the machinery con-
nected with 10, making this otherwise
powerful instrument OF slaughter powerless.
The gun was, however. placed in position
in state house square and the officers and
men OF the company having 70 In charge
professed to be ignorant OF the fact that it
could not fire shot
The city is crowed with people. The in