The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-17
BLOOD She'd!
There Might Have Been Some If
There Had Been Little
Fighting.
But There Was not a Blow Struck
Nor Gun Fired in
Topeka.
All the Other Elements of War
Except Fighting We're
There Present.
Casus Belli, Armed Men in Line,
Guns, Ball Bats and
Broomsticks.
Tho Populists SO Far Have Decided tho
Worst of tho Situation-An
Armed Truce.

TOPEKA, Kan, Fob. 1G.-The only thing
needed to make war In Kansas iS fighting.
The conditions OF war are all present-op-
posed bodies OF armed men, something to
fight about and disposition to fight are all
evident, but war docs not open. The belli-
cose preparations were carried on blindly
by both sides all day. but the governor, by
Offering to compromise tho difficulties
keeping the two houses apart. tapered the
crisis of into very tame armed truce.
His proposition for a compromise was
offered to the republican house. Theyfinal-
ly amended II to suit their own ideas and
returned it to the governor. who announced
he would reply tomorrow, and in the
meantime an armed truce exists. This is
the situation late tonight.
The whole city OF Topeka appeared dur
ing the day to be under martial law. The
troops marched and countermarched
through the broad avenues of the city.
Men wearing yellow badges, bearing the
inscription deputy Sheriff." were hurryinQ
to and frc; 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 their overcoats, but
more marched boldly from stations to ho-
tells with rifle or shotgun flung nonohalantly
over their shoulders.
The real sensation Of the day was the
disloyalty of the state troops to the com
mander-i int chiet. the governor. He twice
forces. to attack the republican stronghold.
The colonel declined. and was relieved.
Then the governor took personal command
and ordered that no provisions be allowed
to pnss the lines. but tho order was disre-
ga del. Then Lieut.-Col Barker, of the
Third regiment WAS given command. Of
the troops, but still the governors orders
were disobeyed. Finally Briqadier- General
Hetti0er arrived from Wichita, and took
command. He let it be understood that
the republicans had nothing to fear from
him. I Iris caused the governor great un.
leaders compromise PROPOSITION was
offered the republican house. The repub-
iicans 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 proclnma-
tlon and by noon fully 1000 men were
sworn in. Not caring to take the risk of
arming recruits with frearu,a the sheriff
decided to arm them with clubs. All sorts
of clubs were pressed into use. from
broomsticks to base ball bats
The sheriff announced that he would make
no move until fracture of the peace had
actually occurred. He explained that he
would regard an attempt to eject the re-
publicans (the legally constituted house, as
he reRa ded it, disturbance of the peace
and wonld then interfere to maintain
oraer. This action by the sheriff. taken in
connection with the attitude assumed by
the miitin, deprived the ropulists of all
fighting support. except that afforded by
three provisional companies of militia and
come fifty assistant serCsants-at-srms.
began to arrive. and tonight the
populists are strongly reinforced.
The governor may organize these into pro-
visionnl troops, who can be depended upon
to obey his orde,s. IL il not believed.
however, that he will take such exsraordin-
ary action.
The prospects for tomorrow are that
the populists will decline to accept the
proposition of comI romise ns amended by
tho republicans. The general feeling to-
night is one of renewed uneasinees and
predictions nre freely made that tomorrow
may see the long anticipated war inaugur-
ated.
The proposition presented in tho repub-
lican house by Gov. Leweling elected a
great deal of argument. After lengthy
debate a proposition to the governor was
drafted. 1t ia proposed to dismissed all
contempt proceedings heretofore instituted;
that each house should arrest the clerk OF
both parties to apply to the supreme court
for habeas corpus; both cases TO be prose-
cuted on tho sole question of the legality of
the respective houses; the Goyet nor to dis
miss the militia aud provisional guard: the
sheriff to dismiss all special deputies; the
republican house to have free and undis-
turbed possession of representative hall
pending the decision of the supreme court
The committee appointed to present. tho
proportions to the governor met him in
4 H. Il l,
isfed ns to some LEGAL points and would
not reply uutil tomorrow mo ming. In
the meantime the republicans would not be
molested. bnt he advised them to adjourn.
IorEKA, Feb. l7.-At one o'clock this
(Fridny) morning the situation remains
unchanged. snve Tor the fact that heavy
snowfall set i'll soon after midnight and
the mlitiamen are experiencing some of
the plrnsures Of winter campaigning. The
republicans. snugly ensconoed in repre-
sentative hall, are for the most part Sleep
ing soundy.