Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-16

thck OF the NOluhlBtISt cuOulu tAo i"t
ter proceed 70 such extreme measures
On the other hand Gov. Lewelling has
made a call for provisional troops. he
issued a proclamation late this after
noon stating that as the State militia
now 10 Topeka was not sufficient 10
control the situation, FIVE provisional
companies would be organized. only
enough men responded 10 form three
companies Of thirty men each.
The situation at 10 o'clock tonight IS
just this: The Republicans are masters
OF the situation within Representative
Hall, and the POpulists are masters
without Five hundred troops are on
guard around the builking, while 500
more are on their way from different
points. Hundreds Of Republican vol
unteers, armed for battle. are gathering
from all parts OF the State. POpulists
have been organized into provisional
troops. The militia, being Republican
in sympathies, will probably not obey
an order 70 shoot down their political
brethren, while the provisional compan-
les composed OF Populists are prepared
TO 90 about 10 any extreme TO defeat
Republican plahS and maintain the Pop
ulist position.
In the meantime the Republican
House is being beseiged, and Represen-
tatives are cut of from their base OF
supplies, with no supplies in store. No
one dares predict what the morrow will
bring forth. Few hope for peaceable
solution of the difficulty, many expect
bloodShed, and all are holding their
breath in anticipation.
The PopulIsts, anticipating the events
of to-day, attempted to throw the bur
den OF the situation on Sheriff Wilkin-
son, OF this county.
The Governor informed him officially
late yesterday evening that rumOrs ap-
parently we'll founded were in circula-
tlon TO the effect that lawless mob (the
Republican House Of Representatives,
contemplated the forcible invasion OF
the hall Of the House Of Representatives
and called upon elm to summon sher-
ih's posse cOmitatus to resist such law
less invasion and to preserve the peace.
Speaker DuuSmOre, OF the POpuliSt
House sent the following TO the sheriff:
"SIr, / hereby call on you, a sheriff of
Shawnee county for sufficient force TO
preserve the peace and authority OF the
House oJ Deputies"
The sheriff, after taking legal advice,
refused to comply with the demand OF
the Governor and Populist Speaker.
The reply OF the sheriff determined
the governor 70 call out the militia, and
after the Republicans made forci6le en-
trance 90 the Representative Hall he
wired the commanders OF various COM
Dauies 70 repair at once with their COM
mapds 10 the scene Of hostility. Since
the inauguration Of the POpulist gov
ernment the State militia has received
but little official attention. The ap.
polutment OF Adjutant General ORTIZ was
only confirmed yesterday.
The only capable officer OF rank on
the ground IS Col. J. w. +. Hughes. To
him, late this afternoon, Adjt. Gen,
Artz delivered the following order:
"You are hereby ordered to assume
active command OF all officers and men
OF the Kansas National Guard, assem-
bled iu Topeka and around the State
House.
TSigned1 IL. D. LEWELLTNG,
Commander In Chief"
Upon receiving the order, Col. Hughes
% once took charge and brought order
out of chaos The various companies,
which had been drawn up about the
State House according 10 the ideas OF
the individual commandants, were given
stations at the four main entrances to
the capitol on its foug sides. Squads OF
men we're posted at all the basement en-
frances, sentinel lines were thrown out
and the situation assumed really mill
tary aspect. The forces were divided
into three parts, each TO remain on
active duty eight hours while the other
two, while being held in reserve, are
permitted to obtain rest and refresh
mentS.
This plan was adopted to aid in carry
ing out the general plan Of a siege. The
Populists decided not to force the issue
by an assault upon the Republicans po
sition in the Representatives hall, but
TO conquer the enemy by siege, and thus
avert a conflict aud possible bl0Odshed.
The Republican House is in no cOndi-
t!on TO stand q prolonged siege. During
the excitement prevalent at noon they
succeeded in running the POpulist
blockade and secured sandwiches for
lunch Enough was left over for a
meagre meal this evening, but when
that Is gone all is gone, and with it, all
hope OF eating except At the cost Of IN
conditional surrender. Any one can
leave the hall who desires, but once be
leaves be leaves for good, and is not
permitted to return.
At o'clock the Republicans tele-
phOned from Representative hall TO a
caterer 70 prepare a lunch and deliver
it at the hall. In the event OF being
unable 20 send il through the lines he
was instructed 90 take il 20 q position
under one OF the windows OF Represent
atIve hall, from which position the Re-
publicans wOIld elevate IL by means Of
a rope 70 Representative hall. The ca
terer's messenger, while attempting 70
carry out the Order-waS challenged by
the pickets and arrested and his stores
captured. He was allowed 70 go after
having been reprimanded and caution
ed. The Republicans thus fad them
selves In position which cannot be
maintained long.
An incidental deprivation is that OF
steam by which the hall is heated The
janitor of the building, bY Adjutant
ArtE'S order, turned of the steam In
Representative hall soon after the Re-
publcans barricaded themselves within
and they have been without heat all
day. They managed 70 keep reasonably
warm oy wearing their OvercOats and
hats.
Battery "a" Called Out.
WICuIrA, hAS., February l5-At las p.
m. today Capt. WIN {. Mercalf, command
lag Battery "a" First Light Artillery, re-
ceived the following from Governor Lew