The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-02-17
Special to the REcoRp-UN1oS.

Special to the REcoRD-UNIoS.
TOPEKA, Feb. &c. The only thing
needed to make war in Kansas is
fighting. The conditions of war are
men, something to fight about, and
disposition to fight, are all evident,
but war does not open. Bellicose prepa-
rations were carried on briskly by both
sides all day, but the Governor, by Of
fering to compromise the difficulties
keeping the two Houses apart, tapered
the crisis off into very tame truce.
The proposition for a compromise was
offered to the Republican House. They
finally amended it to suit their own ideas,
and returned it to the Governor, who
announced that he would reply to-mor-
row, and in the meantime an armed
truce subsists. This is the situation late
tonight. The whole city of Topeka APP
peared during the day to be under mar
tial law. Troops were marching and
counter-marching through the broad
avenues of the city, men wearing yellow
badges. bearing the inscription deputy
Sheriff" were hurrying to and fro, and
cannon were being dragged through the
streets. Hundreds OF civilians arrived
during the day from all over the State.
Many carried guns in cases, few carried
them under overcoats, but more marched
boldly from the station to the hotels with
a rifle or shotgun flung nonchalantly
over their shoulders.
The real sensation of the day was the
disloyalty of the State troops to the Com
mander-in-Chief the Governor. He
twice ordered Colonel Hughes, COM
mandant Of the forces, to attack the Re-
publican stronghold. The Colonel de-
clIned and was relieved. The Governor
took personal command, and ordered
no provisions to be allowed to pass the
lines, but the order was disregarded
Then Lieutenant-Colonel Baker of the
Third Regiment was given command OF
the troops, but still the Governors orders
were disobeyed.
Finally Brigadier-G General Hettiger ar
rived from Wichita and took command.
He let it be understood that the Repub-
licans had nothing to fear from him. This
caused the Governor great uneasiness,
and after council with the Populist
leaders compromise proposition was Of
tered the Republican House.
The Republicans hit upon plan this
morning to strengthen their position by
bringing to their aid the authority of the
Sheriff. backed by posse. The Sheriff
issued a proclamation, and by noon fully
thousand men were sworn in. Not car
ing to take the risk of arming the recruits
with firearms, the Sheriff decided to arm
them with clubs of all sorts. Clubs were
pressed into use from broomsticks to
baseball bats. The Sheriff announced
that he would make no move until a
fracture of the peace actually occurred. He
explained that he would regard any at
tempt to eject the Republicans the legally
constituted House, as he regards it, dis
turbance of the peace, and would then i'll
teriere to maintain order.
This action by the Sheriff. taken in con-
nection with the attitude assumed by the
militia, deprived the Populists of all
their fighting support excepting that al
forded by three provisional companies of
militia and some fifty Assistant Sergeants-
alarms.
In the meantime, the Populists began
to arrive, and tonight the Populists are
strongly reinforced. The Governor may
organize these into provisional troops,
who can be depended upon to obey
orders It is not believed, however, that
he will take such extraordinary action.
The prospects for tomorrow are that the
Populists will decline to accept the propo-
sition of the compromise as amended by
the Republicans.
The general feeling tonight is one of
renewed uneasiness, and predictions are
freely male that tomorrow may see the
long anticipated war inaugurated.
THE COMPROMISE PROPOSALS.
KANSAS CITY, Feb, 16.-At 2 O'Clock
this afternoon the Governors Private
Secretary appeared and submitted
proposition in writing from the Governor
to withdraw the militia and that the Re-
publicans were not to be interfered with
by the Populists, if the Republicans
would drop legal proceedings against the
Populists, and if the Sheriff would dis
band his posse. The agreement is to last
until the close of the session of the Legis-
lature. The Republicans are now con-
sidering the proposition.
The proposition presented in the Re-
publican House by Governor Lewelling
elicitatcd a great deal of argument After
lengthy debate proposition to the
Governor was drafted. 1t proposed to
dismiss all contempt proceedings hereto
tore institutes; that each House should
arrest the clerk of the other House on a
charge of contempt; both parties to apply
to the Supreme Court for habeas corpus:
both cases to be prosecuted on the sole
question of legality of the respective
Houses; the Governor to dismiss the
militia and provisional guard; the Sheriff
to dismiss all special deputies; the Re-
publican House to have free and undis-
Iurbed possession of Representative Hall
pending the decision of the Supreme
Court.
A committee was then appointed to
present the proposition to the Governor
in his private office. He said he was not
satisfied as to some legal points, and
would not reply until tomorrow morn
ing. In the meantime the Republicans
would not be molested. but he advised
them to adjourn.
EVERYTHING QUIET.
Republicans of the House Enjoying a
Needed Repose.