The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-16
THE P0PULIS1S ROUTED.
Kansas Republicans Capture the
State House.
THE STATE TROOPS ORDERED OUT.


THE STATE TROOPS ORDERED OUT.
PopuIists Endeavor to Exclude Officers of
tho Republican House, but Speaker
Douglas Batters Down the Door with a
slcdge Hammer and Takes Possession.
TOPEKA, Kan, Feb 18-The long con-
troYersy between the Republican and Pop
allst house came to crisis yesterday, and
open riot followed. The Republicans bat
tered down the doors to Representative hall
and forcibly took possession. The trouble
began at Q O'Clock AT that Si1ne the stairs
leading to the main entrancsof the repre-
sentatives hall were guarded by dozen
popullsts. 1t was the intention of the
Ropulists to admit all the members of the
Republican party but the employees ofthat
body, and all visitors were to be excluded.
Three men stood on the bottom step and
refused to allow any one to pass. At the
flrst turn of the stairway two men were
stationed and ut the very top were half
dozen Populists. The msn at the top were
armed, and proposed to use their weapons
II necessary. A. r. Miller, doorkeeper
Of the Republican house, was the first man
to try to get through. A large crowd had
gathered in the hallway of the west wing,
expecting trouble. 1t was largely com
posed of Republicans
Miller tried to push through the men on
the lower step, saying that he was an en-
Hloyo of the legal house He was pushed
aside and angry mutterngs were heard
through the crowd. II tell you will get
ip II have to light" said the doorkeeper.
State Chairman Breidenthal grabbed him
by the arm and led him away.
Don't get excited" said Mr. Breiden-
thai. We will treat you all right but we
can't let any one in except members.
''But | will get in," persisted Miller,
and he made break toward the guards
A Republican deputy sergeant-at-arms
caught him and led him to one corner of
= the hail, where they held short consllta-
tiou. Returning to the steps Mr.. Miller
addressed tho guards in an excited voice.
He snid. II want you all to notice what
say. ! am going to try to go in and you
can either lei me go in or push ME out. If
you want to prevent bloodshed you will
let me in"
Republican Recruits.
He tried to break through the line with
-as much enthusiasm as though he ex-
! pectedhe would accomplish his purpose,
but the Populists pushed him away. Then,
turning toward the end of the hall, he
\yelled at the top of his volcei Come on;
lets get In, boys" The Populsts in tho
crowd laughed Those in the hallway had
to want but few minutes to see the re-
suit of Mr. Miller's hunt for men, He
found more Republicans at the Copeland
House, and they hurried at once to the
State house They formed in double file,
| yleaded by Speaker George L. Douglas and
- h., ~, a,,I can, H.,
the officers of the house, including about
Sfty assistant sergeants-at- arms, who had
been sworn In for this service.
Tho Republicans met with no opposition
until they reached the foot of the main
stairs leading to the representative hall.
There was crowd Of excited men, both
populists and Republicans, in the hall of
west wing, who crowded around Speakers
Douglass and Hochs as they entered the
corridors at the foot of the stairs. When
the procession arrived five able bodied
Populists stood at the door, and their
Eder shouted at the top of his voice;
on can get In here"
Some one bnck in the crowd called out:
sMembers of the house can get in at the
ethsr door. Go to the back stairway"
Speaker Douglass ordered the Populist
guards 10 give way, but they refused, their
aeader saying: I'VE are instructed by the
attorney general to allow no ono to 80 in
here"
: Douglas replied: I'VE are the members
nj the house Of representatives, and l, as
/ tGe speaker, order you to get out of the
way"
"You can't 90 In here" answered back
! the Populist guards In a chorus flourish
ing clubs, revolvers and Winchesters Ths
crowd at this iunoture began pushing, and
Tor few seconds the Populist guard was
DEble to hold the Republican forces back.
j. w. Butterfleld, Republican, had gone
: / to the back stairway and as a member of
the press had obtained admission On the
back stairway were several guards armed
with revolyers, but he passed them all un-
challenged. Butterfeld rushed through
the hall and through the cloak room to
the front stairs, where he found twenty
Eve thirty guards, armed with clubs and
feyolyers AS he appeared in sight of the
Republicans below he shouted: "come on.
men; the way Is clear"
The Republicans Charge.
A mighty shout went up from the corr!-
dor below as the Republicans rushed up
the stairs, carrying the guards before them.
The Populst guards rushed back up the
stairway and into the hall, locking the
doors behind them, but they were not SO
quick but that James A. Troutman, Re.
publican member from Shawnee county
Mr.. Bennef1eld, of Montgomery, and j.
Ware Bntterfield managed to get inside
the door The doors leading to the cloak
room were forced open by Speaker Doug
las, and the crowd surged into the cloak
room. The heavy doors opening into the
hall were locked and a populist guard had
run off with the key.
The Republicans were prepared for this,
Il. l..,.
/, passed up TO Speaker Douglas, who with
one stroke smashed the panel out of the
door few strokes with the hammer
made the big doors creak on their hinges
A few more blows shattered 1t. When tht
first opening was made in the door g. G.
Clemens, Populist, grabbed pieco OF thu
panel and threw it back through the open
Ing, striking W. B. Swan, Republican, on
the head A populist guard inside raised
his Winchester and was about to fire whef
he was covered by two rerolyers In tht
hands of w p. Wilcox, Republican as
sistant sergeant alarms. This had quiet
ing effect. The Popultst guard gave way
and the Republicans rushed into the hall
cheering wildly. Then they settled dowI
to await developments.
" Republicans In c ontrol.
LAfIaving gained admission to the hall til,
4 nepuDiittHs EAlseu a mighty bHblit dlt
Speaker Douglas hastened to the platform
and, his voice trembling with excitement
said: "fhe legally organized and eonstitu
tional house of representatives will nov
come to order"
But the Republicans were in no mood t.
come to order. One of them, discoverin,
that the Populists had locked the door o
the sergeant-at-arms' office. began to kcl
upon it, and was soon joined by othe
Republicans who We're spelling for
fight, and in moment another door wa
in fragments
Having captured the room of the sci
geant-at.arms the Republicans, looking