The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-02-22
=" Bleeding Kansas >
BloodIess But Exciting Battle at
the Capitol of Kansas.
Republicans Take Possession.

doors TO Representative Hall, and t)reiOly
took possession. Armed men employed by
the Populisis were unable TO keep them out.
The Republicans then placed $50 men inside
and 100 men outside the hall TO prevent its
recaptare BY the Populists.
Governor LeRellen issued call for the
safe militia. Their number WIS not large
enough and the Governor then issued
proclamation authorizing the formation Of
provisional companies. Three companies Of
80 men each were organizad- One company
was stationed in the lower hall Of the State
House.
The Republicans sent committee 10 the
Governor. suggesting suspension of hostil-
ities. They proposed that both Houses
agree to adjourn Uutil 6 case could be made
in the Supreme Court and finally adjudicat-
ed. The Governor would not entertain the
proposition. President Douglass then read
a proclamation to the House, calling upon
the people Of the State to rally to the sup
port Of the Republican House. kilograms
we're received from several points in the
State by the Republicans, saying that arm
ed men would be sent to Topeka by the first
trains
The Republicans issued the following ad-
dress:
To thc Lar ABidiag Citiseas Of Kaasas:;
An organized conspiracy TO subyert the
Constitution and laws Of the state, aud 10
Overawe the lawful House Of Representa-
tiyes, Is at this moment in full operation at
the Capitol Of the State. The lag lul suihoT-
Ity Of The House Of Representatives was yes
terdsy openly and flagrantly violated by an
assault upon The officers Of the House in the
discharge Of their duty. The assault took
place In the prsseree CT the Governor, ana
Was ed BY J. F. WiIeHs, J W. Briedenthal
and other lawlessly disposed persons.
This morning. when the House Of Repre-
sentaiives was about 70 meet, its members
were confronted az the foot of the stairs
leading 10 the House by a force armed With
rihes under command OF the AGjutant Cen
erai OF the State. The members Of the House
Of Representatives, after severe struggle,
forced their way 10 the entrance Of the hall,
and after bstteTiug dOAn the door, which
was barred agains, them. entered the hall uf
the House and proceeded 10 business
At this writing they are still there but are
hourly threatened with a conflict with the
forces of anarchy and revolution, who open
lv proclaim their determination IN advance
10 disregard any judgment Of the courts con-
trary 70 their cwu wishes and to continue IN
defiance Of the Constitution and the law.
The members ofthe House OF Representa-
iives have earnestly sought to bring the
question involved TO an issue, but have been
met By open prociamations of disprOOf-
disrespect for and proposed defiance Of the
courts.
The cause Of constitutional government is
a, stake. and il becomes the duty of every
iaw-abiding citizen 20 take his stand in be-
baif Of the principles Of free government. In
this condition Of affairs deem il proper TO
appTise you that your Representatives need
ar this moment your moral aid and active
support
A dispatch on Fziday says: The Rspubli-
cans within Representative Hall are tempo
rarily triumphant. at least, and masters OF
the field. The siege still continues. but the
Governor has no confidence in the militia
and is oveTawed BY big posse OF 1909 dep
uties mustered in by the Sheriff to defend
the Republicans in their situstiOn. 1t was
in vain that he Commanded the commander
OF the troops 70 charge upon the State House
and eyict the rebels" and the despairing
Populists have meekly removed their goods
and chattels and taken up quarters in an
other location.
Aher five companies Of State PopGlist mi
litia under command ofthe Governor aud
1000 armed deputy sherifFs whose business
it was to see that the militia did no harm to
the Republicans, had marched up and down
the streets Of the town al day making war
like demonstrations, the Governor aad the
besieged Republican members made mutual
overtures for peace. and truce was declar-
ed, pending negotiations
4 proposition came from the Governor at
O'Clock assuring the Republicans that if
they would withdraw a criminal proceeding
against Ben. c. Rich "a graduate of the Mil
lersville State Normal School in the class of
1868, the Populisl clerk, and sgree to Jet
the Populist Il ouse occupyits side of the
building, the troops would be Withdrawn
and tie dual House organization could run
pending settlement Of the controversy in
the courts.
The charge against Rich is that he dis
iurbed the legal House by his sction.
Tue proposition was rejected and another
made 10 the Governor that Rich should re-
main under arrest and that the Republican
clerk should also be arrested, and pending
settlement in the courts the Republican
House should retain possession.
In considering the trouble in Kansas
there are a few points that should be kept
well in mind.
First-The Republicans elected 81 mem
bers Of the lower house last fall TO IS Pcpu-
lists, . Democrats aud Independent.
Second-When the legislature organized
in January the Populis-s refused to recog-
nizs the Republicans, bolted the meeting
aud, in another part Of the hall, elected their
own officers and proceeded to admita num-
bsr Of Popalis;s who were contesting Re
publican seats.
Th.rd-The Republicans organized the
House in the regular way, having clear
msjority Of eli The members elected.
F0ur;h-The two Houses met daily at
different times or in different parts of the
hall and carried on business until the Popu-
lists concluded to force the issue and tried
TO eject the Republican officials of the
House
Ffh-The Governor recognized the Pop
ulist House and the POpaiists have no; on
ly refused ID refer the matter to the su-
Prems Cart, but have studiousiy until this
week avoided any legislation that could be
carried 10 the saprems Court to test the
matter.
TRANSFERRED TO THE Courts.