The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-16

publicans forced their way in. but they
did nothing to prevent il. except to warn
the Republicans that they were destroy
ing state property and would be held &C
countable for it. The only weapons shown
by the Populists were one Winchester
and q couple of revolvers in the hands Of q
mud young man who made no attempt to
use them. They were captured by the
Republicans and will be preserved as
trophies. The Republicans then bsrri-
caded the doors.
Atchison and other places brought seven
ty-tve Republicans to act as sergeants-at-
arms. The Republicans, anticipating
trouble, had telegraphed for help last
night. Some Of the messages we're late in
being delivered, but the recipients got out
OF bed at midnight to respond 70 the call.
The Republican house passed resolution
reviewing the situation and calling on all
citizens of Ramsay for "moral aid and ac-
tive support, to help resist the forces Of
anarchy and revolution"
Gov. Lewelling was found in private
oftice in consultation with Judge Webb,
attorney for the Populists. and Chairman
Breidenthai. of the Populist state commit
tee. The governor refused to discuss the
situation. but Webb said the Populists
would come out Of the fight on top Of the
heap. When the Republicans took posses
sion OF the house they elected the Populist
sergeant-at-arns. The governor ordered
out four companies of infantry and two
batteries Of artillery, and seventy-five
men, chiefly farmers. who were taken to
the arsenal, uniformed and armed and
sent to the capitol grounds. The Oakland
militia company also arrived and took a
position in the grounds. One militia COM
pany has been stationed near the arsenal.
with guards posted. Two cannons were
run out OF the arsenal, loaded with shot,
and everything looks decidedly warlike.
The militia has full control of the situa-
tion and every move OF the Populist house
depends on the governor.
The Populists, anticipating the events OF
today, had attempted to throw the burden
OF the situation on Sheriff Wilkinson. Of
this county. The governor informed him
officially last evening that rumors were in
circulation to the effect that lawiess mob,
meaning the Republican house of repre-
sentatives, contemplated the forcible inva-
sion OF the hall of the house of representa-
tives, and called upon him to summon .
posse comitatus to resist such lawless in
vasion. Speaker Dunsmore. of the Popu-
list house, also sent message calling on
the sheriff for sufficient force to preserve
the peace and authority in the house. The
sheriff. after taking legal advice, refused
to comply with the demand of the gov
ernor and Populist speaker, say
ing that if there il q house of
representatives legally organized, it is
clothed with power to appoint . sergeant
alarms who has all the power necessary.
Notwithstanding that there is no way to
decide which house is the legally organ.
ICED body. he (the sheriff. would take no
part a. long as the peace and quiet of the
citizens remained undisturbed.
This reply determined the governor to
call out the militia. Upon receiving the
order. Col. H ughes at once took charge Of
the various companies which had been
drawn up about the state house, and &C.
cording to the idea of the individual COM
mandants, they were given stations at the
four main entrances to the capitol, or it,
four sides.
The Republican house is in no condition
to stand prolonged siege. It has neither
oAPpaAoD AOI SA0 AACoAS "a OOS0NlI0k suCAAs
During the excitement which prevailed at
noon they succeeded in running the Popu-
lists blockade and secured sandwiches
and coffee for lunch. Enough was left for
q meager meal this evening. but when
that is gone all hopes of eating. except at
the cost of unconditional surrender, 10
gone. Guards have been stationed in all
the corridors and no one is allowed to
enter the building. The steam having
been turned off. they are forced to wear
overcoats to keep warm. The policy of the
Republicans is to hold out a. long as pos
sible and await the forcible entrance of the
military to the hall. They will obey no
order to vacate the hall, and will compel
the troops to remove each man bodily.
Joseph Waters. of the Republicans, was
appointed as q committee to visit Gov.
Leweiling and. if possible, agree upon q
suspension of hostilities. They proposed
that both houses adjourn until the case
could be passed upon in the supreme court
and finally adjudicated. The governor
would not consent to this, and q wordy
war ensued. Finally Waters turned to
Judge Frank Doster. who was q leading
Populist candidate for senator, and who
has been the legal adviser Of the Populist
house, and told HIM it would be to his best
interests to settle the matter. Continuing,
Waters said:
You have been more active than any other
man in bringing about this state of affairs. But
for your advice to the Populate house, this
quarrel would have been settled long ago. Now
tell you that 100 men have it in for you. and il
there is ever q shot fired in this excitement, you
will be the first to fall
1t being evident that no agreement could
be reached, the conference broke up and
the Republicans returned to the hall.
At 6 o'clock this evening two Republican
guards stationed in the corridor chanced
to run across Assistant State Auditor
Mackey, Populist, and arrested him on
q charge Of having assaulted q Republican
guard during the morning scrimmage. He
was hustled into the hall, and after brief
examination. confined as a prisoner In one
of the cloak rooms under guard of an as
sistant sergeant-at-arms. Before long the
sounds of a scuffie were heard and
Mackey plunged through the door with
blood streaming down his face from a
severe scalp wound. which the jailer had
inflicted with q walking stick. Mackey
said he attempted to open the door lead
ing into the hall and was assaulted with
out further provocation. But the guard
SAYS Mackey threatened him with q re-
volver, and that he struck him in self
defense. Mackey was then allowed to 60.
He is not severely wounded.
At 10 O'Clock Gov. Leweliing appeared at
the door Of the house and asked for admit.
tance. He was permitted to enter, and, as
he made his appearance, the members rose
with respect He made an impressive