The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-02-17
THE WAR IN KANSAS.
PoPULISTs AND REPUBLICANS EN-
GAGE IN A STREET ROW.
Arrest OF the Popu1ist House Clerk Star Is
the TrOubIe-ReIeased by His Friends.
A Large Force of sergeants-at-Arms
Sworn in by Both Speakers.

Topeka, Kans., Feb. l5.-War is on
in real earnest between the two houses
of the legislature and blows have been
exchanged. There are now open
threats by the Populists of sensational
hostilities and at any moment there
may be something more than the talk
which has been so long INDUCED in.
F. w. Hoch of Marion arose in the
Republican house, and, after reviewing
the history of the house middle, said
the people were tired of the waste of
time, and demand that it get down to
business. He knew only two WAYS to
settle the question-either to knock
down or go into the courts. He did not
believe in the knock-dOwn policy, but
he was satisfied that the courts would
bring about a settlement. He there
hpon offered a resolution for
The Arrest of Ben c. Rich,
Populist clerk, on the charge of dis
turbing the legal house by his actions,
The sergeant-at-arms succeeded in find
ing Rich, after considerable search, in
the parlors of the Dutton hotel. read
the warrant to him and demanded that
he accompany them. John W. Brieden-
thai, Fred Baily and others interfered
in behalf of Rich, and Immediately there
was great crowd of peOplein the hotel
After brief struggle the crowd moved
out upon the street and, with Rich i'll
custody of both Republicans and Pop
ulists, the crowd moved up the avenue
Republicans Knocked Down.
At the corner of Ninth street and Kan
sas avenue the Republicans tried to run
Rich over to the Copeland house, and
warlike scene followed. In the struggle
Representative Ryan knocked one of
the Republican sergeants down and i'm
mediately got astride of him, while John
W. Briedenthal had to use force to get
ride of a Republican who was trying to
pull him away from Rich. Other men
exchanged blows, but nobody was seri-
ously hurt.
POpulIsts Get Their Man Away.
In the end the Populists got their man
away and took him to the governors
Office from where, few minutes later,
he was triumphantly escorted into the
hall of the house of representatives, his
wife holding one arm and Representa-
tive Wadsworth of Anderson the other.
His appearance in the hall was greeted
with cheers and clapping of hands.
When Rich appeared it was not quite
time for the Populist house to meet,
but Speaker Dunsmore raped for order
and made short speech. Rich called
lain, the house proceeded with business
in the regular order.
------~-- Fears of a Riot.
The situation here is serious in the
extreme. There is likely to be con-
fict here which may end in riot and
bloodshed. Republicans are determined
to- arrest. Rich. and the -Populists say
they never will submit to it. Both
speakers have sworn in hundred extra
sergeants-a and they are we'll
armed. It is firmly believed that the
Populists will bar the doors of repre-
sentative hall against the Republicans,
and the Republicans say that if they
do this they will batter down the doors.
Bound to End the DimcuIty.
Speaker Douglas, of the Republican
house, said that the end of this revolu-
tionary business must come and that the
majesty of the law should be upheld no
matter at what cost. Governor LEVEL
ing is advising the Populists to resistsby
force all attempts at arrest. Sergeant
alarms Clevenger, of the Republican
house, will bring hele a Populist wit
ness, whom he arrested in Labette coun-
ty, and it is believed that the Populists
win attempt to rescue him when he
reaches here, and another fight will en-
sue.