Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-02-18
Perilously Near That Condition OF
Things in Kansas.
FACTIONS RESTING on THEIR ARMS.
Tho Militia Colonel and tho Sheriff Both
Refuse to Obey the GoverBor-Par-
tisaus sworn In by Hun
dreds.

Every step and hallway is patrolled by
the Kansas state militia and siXty-foul
republican members of the lower branch
of the Legislature can neither make
their escape nor communicate with the
outside world, except through permits
sion of their enemies
The colonel commanding the militia
in the field threatens to turn to the en-
envy and take his regiment with him.
The sheriff of the county declares
that he is the peace officer of the coun-
ty and if the militia is to be used the
military officers must be in his control
and not that of the governor.
Men are running up and down the
streets of Topeka like mad men and the
widest excitement prevails.
Nearly every militia company in the
state has been ordered to Topeka by
the populists' governor, and from all
over the state dispatches are pouring
in to the republican members telling OF
armed citizens VINO have responded to
the republican call for assistance.
Every partisan in the town carries n
revolver and 200 republican sergcants-
alarms either carry muskets or re-
volvers and some of them both.
Five thousand armed citizens will be
in Topeka from every section of the
state. What the result will be no man
can tell, but bloodshed seems the only
possible solution.
The remarkable condition of affairs
which has led to the warlike demon.
stration was begun when the legisla-
ture convened four weeks ago. The
populists and republicans both organ
lied the lower branch Of the legislature,
and until Tuesday amicably carried on
their sessions Tuesday night when
the populists adjourned their session
their sergeants-at-arms locked all the
doors. 1t was the policy to freeze the
republicans ont, but yesterday morn
ing, when the republicans discovered
the trick, they armed themselves with
crowbars and sledge hammers and bat
tered down the doors. The scene which
followed was one of tumult and dis
order.
Inside were the deputy adjutant-gen-
erals with Winchesters and before
them stood the republican members
with batteriug rams exposed and their
revolvers hidden. But the republicans
made their way through the adjutants
nevertheless and took possession OF
Representative hall, after having bat
tered down the doors and escaped blood
shed through the rare presence OF mind
J. Ware Butterield, secretary of the
republican league, who commanded the
populists not to shoot and who, in the
excitement, was obeyed.
And from 0 o'clock until the begin
ming of new day the republicans held
possession of the hall. Their sergeant
alarms swore in deputies by the
hundreds He commanded in the name
of the state the worimen in the Santa
Fc shops to come to the assistance of
the republican house. He telephoned
Washburn for students and he tele-
phoncd the stores for republican clerks.
The shop men refused to respond, but
help came from all directions.
The imprisoned republicans took
their noon lunch in their seats and
made preparations to lock their doors
with padlocks from the inside in order
to withstand invasion.
Subsequent developments show that
this precaution of the republicans was
a wise move. Gov Lewelling ordered
Col. j. w. F. Hughes, of the state mill
tia, to clear the republican house at 8
o'clock and was met with the prompt
refusal of that officer to obey. Col
Hughes declared that he would resign
before he would attempt this,
as it would only result
in bloodshed Gov. Lewelling
threatened to accept his resignation,
but did not carry his threat into execu-
ton. All day long the republicans
held the fort A half dozen times dur
ing the day it seemed as If bloodshed
could not be prevented. But night
came with the republicans still in
charge and the threat of Gov. LEVEL
ling to clear the house by force to-day
staring the republicans in the face.
All night long they remained In Repre-
hall and the scenes of the ses-
sion's beginning were re-enacted.
Col. Hughes, of the state militia,
went before the republican house last
night and pledged the members that he |
would not eject them. IF the governor
orders me to move on you," he said, 81
will resign. and If go my regiment
will 60 with me-" The Kansas colonel |
was rendered an ovation and he left the |
republican members at IL o'clock feel
ng more comfortable than they had for
several hours past But a half hour
ater still more encouraging word was
brought to them.
Sheriff Wilkersnn, of this county, has
addressed letter 70 the governor de-
starring that he is the peace oficer Of
The county and served notice that he
would attend to the military affairs