The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-02-17
WAR IS ON.
A Collision Has Occurred Between the
Populist and Republican Leg
islatures of Kansas.
Two Republicans were Knocked Down
and Several were Badly Bruised
Further Trouble Feared.


the legislature and blows have been ex-
changed. There are open threats by the
populists of sensational hostiitics and at
any moment there may be something
more than talk which has been so long
INDUCED in. An attempt by deputy
sergeants alarms of the republican
house to arrest Ben G. Rich clerk of the
populist house, on orders from the re
publicans, was the cause Of the conflict,
during which two republicans were
knocked down aud several mon on each
side were badly bruised by blows of fists.
The encounter occurred in the very cen
ter of the city and created the greatest
excitement, What will he the outcome
of the trouble no one now attempts
to foretell, but it is generally agreed that
tomorrow Will witness the most exciting
scenes known IN Kansas for years. The
trouble all arose out of the aggressive
attitude assumed by the republican
house this morning. +. ". Iloch Of
Marion said the people were tired of
this Legislative farce and demanded that
He knew of two ways to settle the qucs-
tion-either to knock down or 90 iutu
the courts. He preferred the latter. and
in order to bring the matter before the
courts hc proposed the action set forth
in resolution which he introduced.
This resolution declared that Ben. G..
Rich, clerk Of the populist house, had
unlawfuliy interrupted the proceedings
.
the legislature and prevented the trans
action of public business ami directed
the sergeant alarms to arrest him and
bring him before the bar of the house to
show cause why he should not be pun
ished for contempt. The republicans
promptly adopted the resolution and the
Sc geant at arms. with two assistants.
went in search of Rich.
In the meantime the popullsts had ar
ranged to meet force with force and if
the republican sergeantat arms had ap-
pearcd in the house with the populst
clerk there would have doubtless enoued
a riot of big proportions. 1t so happened
that Rich could not be found and after
waiting until l. o'clock the republicans
adjourned until tomorrow at Q o'clock
H. IN. The populists jeered their oppon-
ents for weakening" and guyed them
unmercifully as they marched out of the
hall.
Meanwhile the seTgeant-at- arms had
iounu itch dt the DuttOu hotel and read
the warrant to him. demanding at the
same time that he accompany him. John
W. Breidenthal. Fred Bailey and others
intcricrcd n behalf of Rich. and imme-
diatcly there was great crowd Of peU,
ala in, lA h,.t \ Ftpp i.f ty,, IL,
the crowd moved out upon the street
aud with Rich in custody of both repub
licans and pupuists the crowd moved up
the avenue. At the corner Of Ninth and
Kansas avenue the republicans tried to
run Rich over to the Copeland
hotel AMI a wariiKe gcenc fol
lowed. In the struggle hepresen-
tative Ryan knocked down one of the
republican sergeants at arms and inn
mcdiately got astride Of him. while John
w. Breidenthal, chairman Of the popu-
list state central committee, had to use
force to get rid Of the republican who
was trying To pull him away from Rich.
The populist reading clerk, ;. NJ. scott.
struck Il republican assistant sergeant
at arms, J"rdan. lnilIcting wound un-
der the eye. Other blows were struck.
but no farther damage was done. In
the end Ihe populists got their man
away and took him to tie governors
Office. from where few minutes
later he was triimphantly escorted
into the hall Of the house Of representa-
tiyes, his wife holding one arm and Rep
resentativc Wordsworth Of Atchison the
other His appearance II the hall was
greeted with cheers and clappiug of
hands Speaker Dunsmorc in calling the
house TO order referred to the street en-
counter, leaving all blame on the rcpub
lican house and defending the cause Of
the pOpulists. After the roll had been
called the following preamble and rcsu-
lutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, An attempt has been made
to arres, the chief clerk Of this house by
an organized mob calling themselves the
republican house Of representatives, but
which we believe to be in reality the
Santa fe railroad: therefore, be it
RrSOircd, That we, the legally organ
iZcd and constituted house of rcprescn-
tativcs, proclaim to the state of Kansas
that the mob was foiled and that "Our
flag is still there
Latter the republicans swore out war
rants before Justice Cheney. charging
Representative Ryan and Reading Clerk
Scott with assault and battery. y con
stable appeared in the hall to arrest
Them, but they declined to accompany
him until they had received advice.
Ryan consulted with his friends and an
nounced that he would neither go with
the constable nor give bond for his ap-
pearance. The constable fingered grim
and determined and announced that he
would make arrests even if he bad to
summon Il posse.
TOPEKA, Feb. l5.-Gov. Lewelling
called out the state militia to eject the
members of the republican house from
the hall of the house of representatives.
The populists had barred the doors and
the republicans broke them down.
Sledge hammers were used by the in
vading party. The militia took station
in tine capital yard and no one could
leave or enter the building, SO the re
publicans could obtain no food and
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