The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-17
IN REPRESENTATIVE HALL.
Scenes and Incidents OF the Night and Day
Plenty Of Food.

Scenes and Incidents OF the Night and Day
Plenty OF Food.
TOPEKA. Kan, Feb. 16.-It was q cold,
dreary night for the Republicans besieged
in their Representative hall. The hard
hearted janitor of the Capitol Building re-
fused to turn on the heat which he had
turned of yesterday in the effort to literal
ly freeze the Republicans out The hall
were forced to engage in walking matches
and other antics about the hall to keep up
free circulation of blood. Sleep was out
of the question. The members had
the comfort Of food. which the
military guards allowed to be hoisted
through the windows. At 4 A. NJ. six
gasoline stoves were hoisted through the
windows and the members gathered about
them to absorb what heat they afforded.
Card parties were formed by some of the
members, and that amusement served to
pass the dreary hours. The sled ge- hammer
with which Speaker Douglass broke down
the door of the House yesterday. and which
he used as gavel during the day, reposed
on the Speakers desk, symbol of force
and authority. The notice from Colonel
Hughes that they need fear no hostile
action on the part of the troops so long as
they were under his command relieved the
strained. and created q feeling of great
confidence. The early morning hours were
passed much in the same manner as the late
night hours.
When the cheering daylight broke
through the windows Of the hall it found
the Repu blicans inspirited with confidence
Were absolute masters of the situation"
said Colonel Warner, Represen tative from
Comanche county, and chairman of the
Republican caucus steering committee.
10 Il onl Co. ~,
teers why l reckon We can muster as many
as the other fellows. These PROVISIONAL
companies don't amount to anything. They
are nothing but pet lambs We are
Us devour them is the opportunity. If they
should gain entrance to this hall. and I
don't see how they can, considering the
strength of our barricades, they will find
slxty-seven men as determined as ever
withstood attack. Our resistance will not
man to maintain position which we
maintain to be legal and right" Speaker
Douglass and Speaker pro tenn. Hoch, ex-
pressed their sentiments In similar terms.
WAR PREPARATIONS.
This morning the Republican members
left the hall in squads to get their break
fast, and having thus fortified themselves
for the day. loaded baskets with supplies
of provisions for the esergesnts-at-arms, who
dared not leav, the hall because the enemy
below would not permit them to return.
This was kept up until all the memb had
been out for their own meals and supplies
for their forces. and at ii o'clock the House
began it's routine of business, which was
interrupted by CAPTAIN Seaton. who an
nounced that twenty-four hours supply
of provisions was on the way. About this
time. also, some esergeants- alarms appeared
in the hall. carrying their arms full Of
Winchester rifles, which they stacked up
In Commander r. b. Welch's armory. This
incident aroused the enthusiatm of
the members to high pitch.
and much war talk was .indulged
in. This had hardly ceased when
q number Of mail-carriers. who cannot be
denied admission To the Statehouse by the
militia came In bearing the promised sup
ply of provisions. More cheering was in.
dulged In. and moment later. when Com
mander Welch marched file of twenty
four men. armed with WInchesters. across
the hall to position at the head of the
main stairway. there was q great hurrah.
At 1880 word came that detachments of
the militia were advancing u D the stairway
to storm the barricade. and. amid much ex-
cItement. the hall was quickly given in
charge of Commander Welch. who gave
orders TO his lieutenants and little army of
sergeants- at-arms. who hastened to repel
the expected attack. But the visitors
proved TO be friends. being detachment
of specialodeputy sheriffs. at ll:35D. Il. An
tnoDy appeared in the hall and was sworn
in as Q soldier of Welch's army. He got
through theilines without pass. He was
lCenrinucd on second Page.l