The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-02-15
ANOTHER AGCOuNT.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
'~ TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 14-Just before
aoon today the Republican house took
aew turn in the endeavor to bring matters
20 a crisis This was a determination to
arrest Ben C. Rich, chief clerk of the pop
ulist house The assembly was prepared
for some kind of a sensation, as extra
guards and doorkeepers had been assigned
10 duty and were noticed at every entrance.
Representative Hoch of Marion introdUc-
ed the resolution ordering the arrest and
prefaced his motion TO adopt it with a
pointed speech. He said that three-fourths
Of the session had passed without any leg
islative results, and that the people were
demanding that business be transacted by
those who had been sent here to make
laws. Among the many necessary laws
that should be enacted, he said, were meas
ures concerning school books and rail-
roads. He thought the delay had been too
long, and in order to bring things TO
crisis, he introduced the resolution. which
he believed would be effective. He said
that there were only two ways of settling
the existing trouble-oue by the knock
down process; the other through the
courts. The former plan had never settled
anything. The resort to the courts pro-
vided to settle disputes was the only prop
er and feasible solution. Whoever is in
the wrong should suffer the penalty. lap
plause.l
The resolution was adopted uuani-
mously. 1t seeks a speedy and peaceful
solution and orders Sergeanr-at-Arms
Cleyinger to arrest one Is. {. Rich and
have him brought before the bar Of the
house to show cause why he should not be
l,saA fNr nfNf md hlr ha hA
held in custody by the sergeant-at-arms
subject to the further order of the house.
TIE resolution recites that Rich has in the
presence of the house continually inter
rupted the regular proceedings by ''lOnnd
and boisterous language and unlawful
ana uHSeemly noises, without legal excuse
or iustification:" that be does this in open,
malicious and wililul defiance of the rules
and authority of the house, impeding
legislation and bringing the dignity and
authority of the house into contempt.
The populist house was not in session, and
Rich, who was in the hall some time be-
fore, could not be found. The sergeant-at-
arms Immediately started in pursuit of
him.
Shortly after / o'clock three deputy
sergeants-at-arms from the Republican
house called at Ben Rich's room in the
Dutton House aud read him the warrant
for his arrest He replied that he had not
had his dinner and did not want TO go,
but would go up to the state house after
he had dined. Mrs Rich then invited the
three deputies TO 20 down to dinner with
them. The invitation was accepted and
the party went to the dining room.
A reporter informed j. w. Breidenthal, |
chairman of the populist state central
committee. of the facts, and Chairman
Breidenthal telephOned to all the hotels
where the populists congregate, telling
them to 20 Immediately TO the DuttOn
house. A great crowd Of pOpuists quickly
obeyed the summons, and waited for the
dinner party's exit from the dining ROOM
When Rich appeared with his escort of
Republican officers he was quickly sur
rounded by the popuiistS aud the deputies
were showed aside. Chairman Breiden-
thai, on one side, and Representative
Ryan of Crawford, at the other arm,
walked with Rich up Kansas avenue to-
ward the state house. followed by the dep
utes AS close as they could get aud nearly
a hundred populists. When opposite the
Copeland and ready to turn toward the
state house, the deputies. learning that
the Republican house was not in session,
said: Lets take him to ihe Copeland" "
Mr.. Clogson, q Republican deputy, jerked
Representative Ryan by the shoulder to
get hold of Rich. Ryan struck at Clog
son and Knocked him down, and in the
melee Rich ana his friends got away. Rich
was taken into the governors office
About o clock he was escorted to tue
state house, aud in few minutes was
calling the roll of the popuiist house as
usual.
The Republicans are angry and are pre-
pairing for another effort, il is said, this
time before the county attorney.
Warrants for the arrest of Briedenthal,
Ryan and Others were sworn out by the
Republicans. The constable finding that
the attempt TO make arrests while such
great excitement prevailed might precipi- /
tate serious troubi5, made no attempt TO
serve the warrants, aud will not until to,
morrow, and may not then unless the sit
uation calms down materially.
Ii indications count for anything, to-
morrow will witness stubborn battle
between the Republicans aud the uopu-
NSts The Republicans are determined TO
effect the arrest of Chief Clerk Rich and
the populiScs are determined 10 defend
him. Speaker Douglass this afternoon
issued call for volunteers to serve AS as
slstant sergeants-st-arms to sid the SER
geaGtat arms IN etfectng Mir Rich's ar
rest, At u O'Clock tonight $50 men had
responded TO the call aud had taken the
bath of office.
Speaker Dupsmore swors in twenty as
Eistsnt sergeaEts-at-arms this afternoon
10 act as 4 body guard for Mr. Rich. The
guards accompanied him 10 his hotel and
= detachment Is tonight standing guard
at his room ana will allow no one enter.
The duty OF this guard tomorrow Will be /
10 protect Mr.. Rich from arrest. The
pOpulist house does not meet until
o'clock in the afternoon, and during the
morning the popuIist members will gather
at the hotel aud hold themselves in readj /
ness TO reinforce the clerks body guard
should the latter be insufficient Ia mum.
Der to withstand the Republican attack.
The Republican deputies will support the
sergeant-at-arms when he attempts to ar
rest Mr. Rich, aud it is hard 10 see how a
rior Is 10 be averted.
The populists take the stand that the
Republican house has no legas standing
and that 1t Is no more than mob when il
attempts TO arrest the clerk Of what they
claim TO be the legal house II disorder
results tomorrow, the governor announces
his intention OF calling out he militia 10
disperse the Republican mob" and II
msintain the peace.
The populist house today passed the
senate legislative appropriation bill, ana |
sept it 10 the governor Tor MS signature 1
The governor signed it at once, and IL viii ;
ha pusllshed in The Topeka Capital, tie !