St. Paul daily globe., 1893-02-16
CALLED ON THE SHERIFF,
But That Official Declined to Take
ANY Part.

Hh dISs
TOPEKA, Feb. 15.-The Populists, an
ticipating the events of today. attempted
to throw the burden of the situation
upon Sheriff Wilkinson, of this county.
The governor informed him officially
late yesterday evening that rumors
apparently we'll founded were in
circulation to the effect that lawless
mob (the Republican house of
representatives contemplated the forci-
BILE Invasion Of the house of representa-
tives and called upon him to summon a
sheriff'S posse commitatuS to resist
such lawless invasion and to preserve
the peace. Speaker DunSmore, of the
Populist house, sent the following to
the sheriff:
''Sir. l hereby call on you as sheriff
of Shawnee county for sufficient torce
to preserve the peace and authority of
the house of representatives"
The sheriff, after taking legal advice,
refused to comply with the demand OF
the governor and Populist speaker, and
notified them as follows:
Your communication calling on me
as sheriff for sufficient force to preserve
the peace and authority of the house
over which you preside received,
anu Ill ICPlS VIII Oo1 IL tuCIC 10
house of representatives legally
organized it is clothed with the power
to appoint rgeant-at-arms who has
all power necessary to call to his assist
ance any number of citizens necessary
to enforce the authority with which ne
is invested ny the house. Not wishing
to decide which house is the legally or
ganiZed body, l shall take no part as
long as the peace and quiet of the citi-
ZenS remain undisturbed."
The reply of the sheriff determined
the governor to call out the militia, and
after the Republicans made forcIble en-.
trance to the representatives hall, he
wired the commanders OF various COM
panies to repair at once with their COM
mands to the scene of hostihtieS. Since
the Inauguration of the Populist gov
ernor the state militia has received but
little official attention. The appointment
of Adjt. Gen. ArtZ was only confirmed
yesterday. He is not very conversant
with military affairs, and during the eX-
element today he has served more in
the capacity of all orderly to Gov. Lew
elling, ommander-in-cllief. than in his
high military capacity. The only ca
pable officer of rank on the ground is
Col. j. W. f. Hughes. TO him late this
afternoon Adit. Gen. Artz delivered the
following order:
"You are hereby ordered to assume
active command of all officers and men
of the Kansas National Guard assembled
in Topeka and around the state house.
IL. ID. LEWELLING,
Commander in Chief"
Upon receiving the order Col. Hughes
a once took charge and brought order
out of chaos. The various companies
which had been drawn up about the
state house according to the ideas of the
individual commandants were given
stations at the four main entrances II
the capitol. on its four sides. Squads
of men were posted at all the basement
entrances. Sentinel lines were
thrown out and the situation as
sumed really military aspect.
The forces were divided into three
parts, each to remain on active1dnt for
eight hours, while the ctner two, while
being held in reserve, are permitted to
obtain rest ard refreshment. This plan
was adopted to aid in carrying out slle