The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-03-16
Militia in the State.

Y Militia in the State.
Denver, Col, March 15.-The official
fight waged by Gov. Waite, cul minated
today in exciting scenes and mob vio-
lence is imminent Prompt action of
the leading citizens in appearing in solid
bodies to beg for time to consider the
situation carefully caused the delay that
has probably prevented bloodshed, riots
and the assassination of Gov. Waite.
against whom all sorts of threats are
made. At6, the intelligence that the
Governor had called upon Gen. McCook
to maintain the peace, settled all fears of
a conflict between the militia and po-
lice, assisted by the sheriff's deputies.
Some years ago, the citizens of Denver
had the legislature give them a new
charter that took the police and the de-
partment of public works out OF the
hands of the municipality and put them
in the hands Of boards presided over by
the governor. 1t was said that this
would result in removing the boards from
the corruption of politics. Gov. Waite
tried to make all of them political boards
filled with Populist followers. The
board of fire and police was changed re-
peatedly. The members of this board
resisted removal and the Governor won
the case before the Supreme Court.
which declared that he could remove for
cause. When he demanded the removal
of Commissioners Martin and Orr, re-
Gently, they refused to go until the
courts should decide. Gov. Waite, rely
ing upon the decision of the Supreme
Court in the first case, declared that the
two commissioners had violated their
trust, and appointed two new coamis-
sioners. The deposed commissioners ap-
piled to the district court and obtained a
temporary injunction to restrain the
Governor, mayor and new members from
taking possession of the office of the
police and fire board. Judge Graham
declined to remove the injunction. After
several days deliberation, the Governor
decided to ignore the injunction. Last
night he
Ordered Out the Militia
with the intention of taking possession
of CITY hall and forcibly dislodging the
two commissioners. Early this morning
SPECTATORS began to assemble around
City hall and by II Larimer and 14tn
srreets for a block were literally packed.
At 10 two wagon loads of breechloading
shot guns and ammunition were un-
loaded at the police headquarters in the
city hall and the department was
co uipped with shot gun and two Colts
reyoIyes for each man, in addition to the
regulation club. A quantity of dyna-
mite cartridges were stored in the police
vaults Chief OF Police Stone said:
ave have ITO men on duty and they
will be here as long as they are needed.
If the Governor wants blood to the
| hridles. we will give it to him but he
cannot have City hall" By noon, when
| the militiamen began to arrive, the
crowd about the armory was nearly as
great as at City hall. The militia starred
| from the armory at two, with Adjutant
General Tarsney in command, assisted
| hv Brigadier General Brooks. The First
Reoiment of Colorado National Guards
and the Chafee Light Artillery, with
four Gatling guns, were placed in posi-
| tion commanding the entire front of the
| hall. The militia were under motion
to attack the hall when the arrival OF
Secretary Lorenzo with message from
the Governor stayed the attack. This
was of half hours delayssto permit an
other coference looking towards peace
| fuI settlement At 3.15 p.m., General
Brooks, accompanied by four aides dc
camp, rode up to the hall and stated that
the Governors orders must be obeyed.
| Business was practically suspended. The
| commissioners and the most Influential
citizens argued with all parties but
nothing was accomplished. The Gov.
| ernor declared that he would order the
militia to fire upon the city hall regard
| less of the crowd of spectators. Chief OF
| Police Stone said he
| Would Die Before He Would Surrender.
Governor Waite remained in his private
rooms at the Douglass all day. He said
| to a committee from the Chamber OF
Commerce "The people may assassinate
me if they will but l propose to have my
| way"
| The sheriff issued an order to arrest
| the militia%and take their arms away
| and the friends of the deposed comm is.