Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-22
WARLlKE GOVERNOR WAITE.
Troops and Gatling Guns in the
Streets of DonVer.


Serious Results Only Arerte by the Ar
rival of Government Troops From Fort
Logan--History of tho Trouble.
DEavER, CoL., March 15.-Hhe political
fight wuged by Governor Waite eliminated
to-day IN most exciting scenes. and mob
violence was imminent many times during
the day. Fortunately, the common citi-
zen was calm and collected, and the
prompt action of leading citizens in leay.
ing their business and appearing in solid
bodies to beg for time to consider tho
situation carefully, caused II delay that
probably prevented bloodshed, rOting and
the assassination OF Governor Waite. In
all probability, had . shot been fired
mob would have quickly formed that
would have captured tho governor before
official assistance could have rescued him.
At G o'clock the intelligence that the
governor had called upon General McCook
to preserve the peace settled ali fears of Il
contest betweenthe militia and the police,
backed by as fearless lot Of deputies,
sworn in by the sheriff, as could be
possibly gathered together.
GUNS ASD AMMuSITIoN.
AT 10 o'clock two wagon loads of breech-
loading shotguns and ammunition were
unloaded at police headquarters IN the city
hall. The department was now equipped
with a shotgun and Two 45-calibre Colts
revolvers for each man, in addition to the
regulation club. A quantity OF dynamite
cartridges was also stored in the police
vaults in readiness for an emergency.
I'VE will hold the city hall against all
attacks from the outside, if it takes dyna-
mite to do it," was the expression of Chief
of Police Stone. I'VE have ITO men on
duty, and they will be here as long as they
are needed. If the governor wants blood
to the brides we will give it to him, but
he cannot have the city hall"
MILITIA TURN OUT.
By noon the crowd about the armory
was nearly or quite as great us that assem-
bled in the city hail, and when the militia
men began to arrive they found it difficult
TO make their way to headquarters. The
militia started from the armory promptly
at o'clock. Adjutant- General Tarsney
was in command, assisted by Brigadior-
General Brooks.
At 3,15 p. m. Brigadier-G General Brooks,
accompanied by four aides-decamp, rode
up to the city hall, and stated that the
governors orders must be obeyed.
Governor Waite remained IN his private
rooms at the Douglass all day, and adj
nittcd no one but his closest friends, until
u committee of citizens from the Chamber
of Commerce called upon him late in the
day.
The result was failure to get him to
consent to anything. ~ shall order the
militia to fire." he reiterated. 1.-THE people
may assassinate me, if they will, but
propose TO have my way.h
This was the situation when General
McCook asserted his position and prepared
TO preserve the peace.
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE.
The history of this trouble dates back
some weeks and was delayed because the
fNpaforral IN, tnatf la vtru
session was ended before he acted. To
understand the situation it must be known
that some years ago the citizens of Denver
asked the Legislature to give them new
charter that would take the Police, Fire
and Public Works Departments out of the
hands of the, municipality and put il in
the hands of boards differed by appoint
ments made by the governor.
1t was believed that this would result in
removing the matter from the corruption
of politics. Governor Waite had shown u
desire to make these departments subserve
his political ambitions, and has tried to
make all of them political boards, filled
with Populist followers.
CHANGED REPEATEDLY.
The board of fire and police has been
changed repeatedly to suit his whims. Two
resisted, but the governor won bis case
before the supreme court, which declared
| that lie could remove Tor cause.
When he demanded the removal of
members Martin and Orr recently, they
refused to go until the courts should SO
decide. Governor Waite, relying upon the
decision Of the supreme court in the first
case, did not ask of the courts how to pro-
coed. He declared that the members had
violated their trust by placing special
policemen at gambling houses, contrary to
law, and he appointed two now members.
The deposed members applied to the dis
trict court and obtained temporary in
junction TO restrain the governor, the
mayor and the new members from taking
possession of the Office of the police and
lire board by force. This was objected to-
but after arguments hud been heard Judge
Graham declined to remove the injunction.
Then, after several days elaboration,
| the governor decided TO ignore the injunc-
| ton. and so issued, last night, his order to
| the militia.
THE DANGER OVER.
The troops, 900 strong, arrived at the
| Union depot at SIS by a special train from
Fort Logan. The militia were sent back to
the armory, and, at 8 o'clock, General
| McCook ordered the troops to bivouac at
the depot until morning.
No effort to cause the arrest of Governor
Waite was made tonight, and hostilities
| have ceased.
Il