The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-15
Attempt by Deputy Sergesnts-at-Arms. Of
the Majority, to Arrest the Minority Clerk
Causes Riot in the Street.
Several of the COmbatants Knocked
Down and Number Badly Bruised.
Serious Trouble Expected TO-Dsy-Many
Officers Sworn in for Duty-The Militia
Likely to Be Called Out
ROW IN KANSAS.

nOW IN hANSAS.
Members of the Rival Houses Pumnsl
Each Other IN the streets
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 14-War is on in real
earnest between the two houses of the
Legislature. and blows have been ex-
changed. There are now open threats by
the Populists of sensational hostilities,
and at any moment there may be some.
thing more than the talk which has been
so long INDUCED in. An attempt by q
deputy sergeant-at-arms of the Republican
House to arrest Ben C. Rich. Clerk of the
Populist House, on orders from the Repub-
licans. was the cause of the conflict. dur
ing which two Republicans were knocked
down and several men on each side were
badly bruised Dy blows of fists. The en-.
counter occurred in the very center of the
city, and created the greatest excitement.
What wall be the outcome of the trouble
no one now attempts TO foretell, but it is
generally agreed that tomorrow will wit
ness the most exciting scenes known in
Kansas for years
The trouble arose out of the aggressive
attitude assumed by the Republican House
this morning. f. W. Hocb, from Marion,
farce, ana demanded that the Legislature
get down TO business He knew of two
ways of settling the anestion-eitber to
knock down or 60 into the courts He pre-
ferred the latter. and in order TO bring the
matter before the courts he proposed the
action set forth in a resolution which he
introduced. This resolution declared that
Ben c. Rich, Clerk of the Populist House,
had unlawfnlly interrupted the proceed.
lDgs of the legally constituted lower HOUSE
of the Legislature and prevented the trans
action of public business, and directed the
SerReant-at-arms to arrest him and bring
him before the bar of the House 10 show
for contempt. The Republicans promptly
adopted the resolution, and the Sergeant
alarms. with two assistants. went in
search of Rich.
In the meantime the Populists had ar
ranged to meet force with force. ard If tho
Republican Sergeant-at-arms had sp-
peared in the House with the Pooulist
Clerk there would have doubtless sued q
that Rich could not be found. aud. after
waiting until IL o'clock. the Repu blicaps
adjourned until tomorrow at O'clock A.
NJ. The Populists jeered their opponents
for weakening" and guyed them m merci-
fuliy as they marched out of the hall.
RIOT IN THE STREET.
Meanwhile the Sergeant-at-arms had
found Rich at the Dutten Hotel, and read
the warrant to him. demanding. &C the
same time, that he accompany him. John
w. Breidenthal, Fred Bailey and others in.
terfered in behalf af Rich. and Immediate
~ there was great crowd of people in the
hotel. After brief struggle the crowd
moved out upon the street. and, with Rich
in custody of both Republicans and Popu-
lists, the crowd moved mp the avenue.
At the corner of Ninth and Kansas ave.
nues the Republicans tried to run Rich
over to the Copeland Hotel, and warlike
scene followed. In the struggle Repre-,
sentative Ryan knocked down one of the
Republican sergeants- alarms and imme-
diately got astride of him, while John
Breidenthal. chairman OF the Populist CEN
trail committee. had to use force to get rid
him away from Rich. PopuIist Reading
Clerk Scott struck Republican Assistant
Sergeant alarms Jordan, infiicting
wound under the eye. Other blows were
struck, but no further damage was done.
In the end the Populists got their man
away and took him to the Governors Office,
from where. few minutes later. he was
finally escorted into the hall of the House
OF Representatives his wife holding one
Atchison, the other. His appearance in
the hall was greeted with cheers and clap
ping of hands Speaker Dunsmore, in call
ing the House To order, referred to the
street encounter. laying ali the blame on
the Republican House and defending the
course of the PoDulists. After the roll had
been called the following preamble and
resolutions were adopted:
Whereas. An attempt has been made TO arrest
the Clerk OF the House by an orgariZed mob call.
sentatives, but which We believe 10 be in reality
the Santa Fe railroad. therefore, be it
hat rxva fhsal laa llv-n xnd and
constitutional House OF Representatives, pro-
claim to the State of Kansas that the mob was
foiled and that "our flag is still there"
Later the Republicans swore out war.
rants before Justice Chesney charging
Representative Ryan and Reading Clerk
s. NJ. Scott with assault and battery. A
constable appeared in the hall to ar
rest them, but they declined TO ac-
ceived advice Ryan consulted with his
friends and announced that he would
neither go with the constable nor give bond
for his appearance. The constable lin ngered.
grim and determined. and announced that
he would make the arrests even if he had
to summon posse. The constable, how
ever. finding that an ATTEMPT TO make the
arrests while such great excitement pre-
vailed might preciDItate serious trouble,
made no attempt to serve the warrants and
will not until tomorrow, and may not then
unless the situation calms down materially.
If indications count for anything to-
morrow Will Witness STUBBORN OottIo De.
tween the Republicans and Populists. Tho
Republicans are determined TO effect the
arrest of Populist Clerk Rich. and the pp.
ulists are determined TO defend him against
arrest. Speaker Douglass, tonight. issued
call for volunteers 10 serve as assistant
sergeants-at-arms to aid the Sergeant-at-
arms in effecting RIch's arrest. At 10 o'clock
$50 men had responded TO the cali and
taken the oath of Office. Popullst Speaker
Dunsmore swore in twenty assistants to
act as body-guards for Chief Clerk Rich.
The guards accompanied hin. to his homo
and detachment is tonight standing
guard at the door of his room. and will al
low no one to enter. The duty of this guard
tomorrow will be 10 protect Mr.. Rich from
arrest. The Populists' House does not meet
until o'clock In the afternoon. and during
the morning the Populist members will
gather at Rlch's Hotel and hold them
selves in readiness TO reinforce the clerks
body guard should the latter be insult
ficIent in number to withstand the Repub-
lican members. The fifteen sergeants will
support the Sergeaut-at-arms when he
attempts to arrest Rich. and it's hard to
see how the arrest is To be avoided III dis
order results tomorrow the Governor an
nonnces his intention of calling out the
militia to disperse the Republican mob
and maintain the peace.