Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-02-23

| attempt De made 1t Will be met with
armed resistance on the part of the
Republicans.
Up to the hour of the assem- bling of
the Republican House at y O. clock this
morning the legisla tive war has been
a bloodless one. The Repu blicans
still maintain their position in Repre-
sentative Hall and the Populists still
maintain theirs outside of it. The sit
nation appears On its face as bellicose
as it did yesterday. Gov. Lewelling
still asserts positively that he will
drive the Republicans from the hall at
the point of the bayonet and the Re-
publicans assert with equal positive
ness that they will resist election even
to the use of arms
Col. Hughes Will BE Relieved.
Col. Hughes, in command of the
military force now stationed in the
city, has for third time declined to
obey the Governors order to order his
men to eject the Republicans. The
Sheriff still refuses to take hand in
the trouble and the Governors only
alternative forces are three meager
companies of provisional troops COM
posed of populists. They are green re-
cruits, badly organized and badly
drilled, and are not considered even by
the Governor effective enough to dis
lodge the Republicans from their
positions. They may be reinforced
during the day by the formation of
other provisional companies, and in
that event an attack may be made
upon the Republican stronghold.
otherwise, from present indications,
the day will proba bly, pass peacefully.
Col. Hughes will in all probability
I've relieved from his command I'm.
mediately he receives notice of release
he will retire from command and his
regiment, which includes most of the
companies on the ground, will retire
with him. Topeka is black and blue.
1t is black with people who have come
from the four quarters of the State
Waiting for the Fun.
''to see the fun 1t is blue with
troops. Every train that has arrived
within the past twelve hours has
brought it's complement of troops and
Republican and Populist volunteers,
armed with Winchesters, shotguns
and revolvers, anxious to take hand
in the fight which was anticipa tied for
to-day.
The capitol on all sides is surrounded
with soldiers and citizens. At every
approach to the building picket line
is maintained. No one is allowed in.
side without pass signed by the Gov
ernor and counter-signed by the Adj IT,
tant-General. Legislators without
passes stand no better chance of get
ting through the lines than the multi.
tude of the anxious and curious who
pack the streets. Mr.. Lease, the hus-
band of the famous Mrs. Lease, after
seeking several hours in vain to gea in
side the capitol to interview his
spouse, arted out ia search of ov.
Lewelling. In struggling lines the
state militia parade the streets from
their quarters to the capitol square
The watching and waiting horde of
the populists have kinkled several bon
fires and made themselves comforta BILE
for the day.
GstlinR Guns In Position.
Battery A of the First Regiment,
from Wichita, forty-two strong, under
the command of Capt. Metcalf, early
his morning were nut on duty at. TIE
principal approach tc the Capitol.
They have with them a Calling gun
and plentiful supply of ammunition.
Battery B Of Topeka, eighteen men,
under the command of Lieut.. Parker,
guard the State arsenal on the ~quare.
Business is depressed and there are
more school children about the streets
near the State buildings than in the
school houses. Men walk in groups.
A lone pedestrian is rare sight.
Many old men have brought out their
fiint-locks in anticipation OF graver
developments, and are seen frequently
in the crowds.
At 9 o'clock the legislators, clerks
and assistants in the State Depart
ments were swarming into the build
ings. Chairman Breidenthal stood at
the main gate to recognize the attaches
and legislators who did not have
passes. Hotel corridors are swarming
with men from many parts of the State
who came up to be on hand in case of
an emergency. The United States flag
loating from the flagstaff is all that
is serene about the State buildings.
Troops Are Republicans.
The troops are composed of decided
majority Of Republicans and are, to
say the least, lukewarm in the perfor-
nance of their duties. The example
set them by Col. Hughes, who refuses
to obey the Governors orders to eject
the Republicans from Representative
Hall, has had decidedly demoraiizing
effect. The eral issued
an order that no provisions should be
allowed to be taken into the hall by
any means whatever. Friends from
the outside took well-filleo baskets OF
provisions to the capitol and the
guards on duty allowed them to be
drawn up into the hall by means
of ropes. The Wichita battery
even went so far as to allow
their Calling gun to be placed
in position in no condition for use. An
examination of the piece showed that
a very essential part of it's mechanism
had been removed. rendering it en-
tirely useless. Capt. Metcalf of the
battery appeared to be greatly sur
prised when the fact was brought &c
his notice and, bringing his company
into line, he questioned each man in
ditidually as to his knowledge of the
occurrence Each one denied all knowl