The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-02-16
BLEEDING KANSAS IT IS
.ThG Militia Called Out to QHell The
Legislators.
IN A STATE OF. SIEGE
Republicans Locked in the Representa-
tive Hall and Starved and Frozen Into
Surrender After Long Battle.
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
: Topeka, KS, Feb. lb.-The political sill
uation II the Kansas capital is becomin
| quite serious, as the following repor
shows:
| Bleeding Kansas" nearly bled agai
today. Nothing but the wisest counsel
of the calmer leaders of the opposin
parties prevented a serious conflict an
shedding of blood. Not since the anti
slavery and pro-slavery forces were ar
rayed in hostile attitude against one an
other, has the political excitement run $,
high as today, and not since those per
ilous times has the political situation
come so near developing into battl,
with arms. The members of the republic
an house each carrying revolver, forced
their way through the; popuiist guards
stationed in the corridors and stairways
leading to representative hall. They
fought their way. inch by inch up the
stairs in hand to hand conflict with
the populists. They battered down the
doors Of the hall with sledge hammer
and took possession and they barricaded
themselves within. They withstood a
seige by the populist government support
ed by the entire military force OF the
state, who hoped to starve the republic
ans Into unconditional surrender.
Right here arises the possibility of an
armed conflict between the republican
guards and the state militia. The repub-
lican members have kept the wires hot
all day sending messages to their con-
stituents informing them of the desperate
situation of affairs, and calling. upon
them for republican volunteers to come
to Topeka at once and lend their aid to
the republican house. Responses have
been received from all over the state
stating that volunteers have offered their
services by hundreds and win arrive at
Topeka by the first train. AS samples Of
the responses, two are given:
D. M. Scott, republican member, who
happened to be at home in Ottawa, tele-
graphed: II will be there in the morning
with three hundred armed men,
Fighting Dan" Anthony editor of the
Leavenworth Times, wired that one
thousand armed men would come from
Leavenworth
The republicans predict that the mill
tia being composed mostly of republicans,
will not resist the attack of the volun-
teers should the latter proceed to such an
extreme measure.
At 10 o'clock tonight 800 troops were on
guard around the building, while 500 more
were on their way from different parts Of
the state. Hundreds of republican volun-
teers armed for battle are gathering from
all parts Of the state. The populists have
into provisional troops. The mi
litia being republican in their sympathies
will not probably obey orders to shoot
down their political brethren, while the
provisional companies being composed of
populists, are prepared to go to almost
any extreme to defeat republican plans
and maintain the populist position. No !
one dares predict what tomorrow will
bring forth. Few hope for a peacaable
solution of of the difficulty, and many
expect bloodshed and all are holding
heir breath in anticipation
Governor Llewelling has called out the
state militia to eject the members of the
'epublican house from the hall of repre-
'entatives. they havin just effected a
'orcible entrance through doors barred
~ the populists, by means of sledge
hammers. A riot is imminent.
Arriving at the capitol grounds, the mi
ltia took position, awaiting further or
ers. Orders were also telegraphed to
Iolton and Marion for companies "D''
nd &C." 1t is reported that they were on
heir way by a special train.
l.
ublicans are making a show of doing
usiness. A resolution was passed citing
'hief Clerk Rich of the populist house to
ppear before the house for contempt, for
esisting the process Of the house yester-
ay, when the attempt was made to ar
est Rich. This morning q Santa Fe
ain from Atchison ana v.aer places
rought seventy-five republicans to act
} sergeants-at-arms, and other trains
re expected to bring additional reinforce
tents. The republican house passed
reviewing the situation and
llling on all citizens of Kansas for
moral aidv and active support to help
'sist the forces Of anarchy and revolu- ,
on.
The governor has ordered out four1
'mpanies OF infantry and two batteries
artillery and seventy-five men. chiefly
rmers have been taken. and on their !.
rival uniformed and armed and sent to
e capitol grounds. The Oakland com
my have also arrived and taken posi-
on In the grounds.
The republicans have nailed, barred
ID propped every door leading to the !
H. The popuIists have decided to freeze
e republicans out. The janitor shut on ?
steam from the hall The popuIfsts
We also undertaken TO starve out the 1,
pubIicans. Men sent for lunch for them !,
mot get back past the militia lines. !
lie house therefore. is in a state OF !
Ige. The militia have full control Of !
E situation and every move Of the
d Colonel Hughes OF the Sd regiment
republican. has been relieved OF duty n
cause he refused to obey the adjutant 4,
neral. !,
rhe republican house is in no condi- d