The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-17
Tho Cause oft.

Tho Cause oft.
Tho cause OF the civil war in Kansas
NAV be briefly stated as follows: The
Republicans have u majority of one in
the lower house OF the legislature on
the face OF the roturns. Three Popu-
lists arc contesting for seats in
the body. Ii they gain these
eeats OF course they will have the
majority Instead OF carrying on their
contests in n legal manner they have
organized second house which they
claim is the legal body, and tho Popu-
list governor OF the state, who is COM
mander.in.chiei OF the militia has 80
recognized them. They refused to sub
mittheir case to the courts because the
judges ara Republicans. They will not
recognize the civil authorities, prefer
ring, with the aid OF tho governor, to
gain their end by military force.
TOPEKA, KAs., Feb. 16,-The only
thing needed to make war in Kansas ia
fighting. The conditions OF war are all
present. BelIicoso preparations were
carried on briskly by both sides all day,
but the governor by offering TO com.
promise the difficulties which are keep.
ing the two houses apart tempered the
crisis of into q very tame armed truce.
Tho proposition for compromise was
offered to the Republican house at Up.
IN. by the governors private secretary,
Ben Close, who stated that the governor
proposed it as last resort to avert
bloodshed. If the Republican house
declined to accept it then the governor
would bo forced to drive the Republi-
cans at the point OF tho bnyonet out OF
house, and, he added, "thetr blood be
on your heads"
This threat had been made so often
that tho Republicans received 1t with
leers. They received the proposition,
however, and 1t at once became the
subject Of earnest consideration.
Tho proposition was as follows;
"Tne governor offers in the interest OF
peace and harmony that he will with
draw the state militia and not allow the
Republican house or its employees to be
intoriered with BY the Populists, pro-
viding that all proceedings that have
been commenced by the Republicans
arising from tho arrest Of Ben Q. Rich
be dropped; that the Populist members
and employees DO not disturbed by arrest
OF officials or otherwise, and the sheriff
OF shawnee county discharges his
deputies and does not Interfere, or try
to interfere, with the acts OF the Pop
ulists aud state officials, including
militia, this agreement TO continue in
force until the close Of tho present
sessions Of the legislature"
After debating this for three hours
the Republicans finally amended IT TO
suit their own views and returned II to
the governor, tho committee charged
with that duty being instructed TO in.
form thI governor that the blood Of
innocent men slain by reason oil his ra.
iusal TO accept the amendments would
be on his head,
The counter proposition submitted
by the Republicans was TO submit all
questions IN dispute TO the courts thai
tho governor withdraw tho troops, and
that tho Republicans be allowed posses
sion OF the capitol until tho supreme
court decides tho controversy,
'Ihn NntY,1,,tNNAn had hnnn ,Nt Int
few moments when ii returned and an
nounced that il had performed Its duty
that the governor desired time to con-
slider tho amended proposition aud
would giyo tho committee his answer
tomorrow morning at 0 o'clock, Ho
proposed that in the meantime an
armed truce should bn established and
mother sido should make any hostile
move before that hour; that tho Rcpub'
licans should be allowed TO como and 20
as they pleased. Tho Republicans
agreed to 1t willingly.
Tho whotc city OF Topeka, on iss Taco,
appeared during tho day to DO undCr
martial law Blue Coutcd troops were
marChingnnd couUtormarching through
the broad avenues OF the cityi men
wearing llutlcring, pullow badges, bear.
ing tho tnsoriptioa "depuly sborItE"
and armed with guns and clubs woro
visible everywhere, hurrying 10 and fro.
Tho governor had planned tho dis
lodging Of tho Republicans from repre-
sentative hall at tho point Of tho hayo.
net. IN iacL ho twice ordered Colonel
Hughes, commundant Of tho forces, to
attack the Republican stronghold, The
colonel docllncd to obey tho orders and
was relieved Of his command. Then
tho governor took personal command oil
the troops. lie ordered that no pro-
Visions bo allowed to pnss tho lines.
Ills order was disrcgardcd and proyi.
alohs were takon into the Republican
Tort without tho slightest attempt To
Keep thom out on tho part Of the guards.
Ihe Republicans hit upon plan this
morning to stteHRtheh their position,
aud that was to bring to their aid tho
authority Of the sheriff OF tho county,
hlOkCu by "A UnsgO of nt lOnst 1000 men,