The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-17
Colonel Hughes and Lieutenant Colonel Bar
ker Removed by the Governor for Re-
fusing to Obey His Instructions.
Lewelling Compelled to Rely on Undis-
ciplined Provisional Guards.
Hundreds of Populists Beseeched to Come to
the Capital and Give Physical Sup
port to the Unrighteous Cause.
RESTING ON THEIR ARMS.

Truce at tho Capital of Kansas While q Com
promise Proposition Is Being Considered.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 16.-The only thing
needed to make a war in Kansas is fight
ing. The conditions of war are all present.
Opposed bodies Of armed men. something
to fight about and the disposition to fight
are all evident, but the war does not open.
BellIoose preparations were carried on
briskly by both sides all day. but the Gov
ernor. by offering to compromise the diff
entities which are keeping the two houses
apart, tapered the crisis off in TO q very
tame armed truce. The proposition for
compromise was offered to the Re-
publican House at 2 P. NJ. by the Gov
the Governor proposed 1t as last resort to
avert bloodshed. II the Republican House
declined to accept it, then the Governor
would be forced to drive the Republicans
at tho point of tho bayonet out of the
House, and he added: Their blood be on
your heads" This threat had been made
so often that the Republicans received it
with jeers They received the proposition.
however. and it at once became the subject
of earnest consideration. After debating
itfor three hours the Republicans finally
amended it to SUIT their own ideas and re-
turned IL to the Governor, the
committee charged with that duty
being instructed to inform the
Governor that the blood of
the innocent men slain by reason of his
refusal to accept the proposition would be
on his head. The committee had been out
but few moments when it returned and
announced that it had performed its duty.
that the Governor desired time to consider
the amended proposition and would give
the committee his answer tomorrow morn
ing at o'clock. He proposed that. in the
meantime, truce should be established
and neither side should mako any hostile
move before that hour; that the Repub-
licans should be allowed to come and 60 as
they pleased. This struck the Republicans
favorably, and they agreed to 1t willingly.
wARLIKE SCENE.
The whole oity of Topeka, on its face, ap-
peared during the day to be under martial
law. Blue coated troops were marching
and counter IN ar ching through the broad
avenues of the city; men wearing flutter-
ing yellow badges bearing the inscription,
deputy Sheriff. "land armed with guns and
clubs were visible everywhere. hurrying
to and fro. Cannon were being dragged
through the streets and here and there q
company of militia or squad of deputy
sheriffs could be seen drilling. Hundreds
of civilians arrived during the day from
all over the State. Many carried guns in
cases, q few carried them under their over
coats. but more marched boldly from the
railway stations to their hotels with rife
or shotgun flung nonchslantly over their
shoulders.
The real sensation of the day was the dis
mander-in-chief. 1t was, OF course, upon
that that the Governor and his fellow-P Popu-
lists depended to carry the day. The
Governor had planned the disloging of the
Republicans from Representative Hall at
the point of the bayonet. In fact. he twice
forces, to attack the Republican strong.
hold. The Colonel declined to obey the
orders and was relieved of his command.
Then the Governor took personal comm and
of the troops. He ordered that no provis-
ions be allowed to pass the lines. HIS order
was disregarded and provisions were taken
into the Republican fort without the
slightest attempt to keep them out on the
part of the guards. Then Lieutenant
colonel Barker. of the Third Regiment.
was given command of the troops.
but still tine Governors orders were
disobeyed in slight particulars. Finally
Brigadier General Hettinger. whose aD-
pointment had just been confirmed by the
Senate. arrived from Wichita and took
command of the forces. While making no
public statement to that effect. General
Hettinger gave 1t out to be understood that
the Republicans had nothing to fear from
HIM.
1t was not until then that the Governor
| became impressed with the fact thst be
| could not rely upon the militia to aid the
| Populists. This caused HIM great uneasi-
ness of mind. and all the leaders were eum-
| moned TO give counsel The result of the
conference was the compromise proposition
| offered to the Repu blican House-this. too
! In the face of his positive declaration. last
| night to the Republican House. that he ad