The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-12-02

MONTGOMERY, Ala, Dec. 1.-The stat
of Alabama now has two governors ant
two separate sets OF state officers. Coone
Oates and those elected on his ticket pre-
side at the state house. Captain kolb and
his contingent have not announced their
official headoua rters. The political situa-
ton in Alabama today has been most
exciting one. This was the day set by law
for the Inauguration of governor and
state officers.
The returns Of the August election had
shown the election of the Democratic state
ticket headed by Colonel William C.
Oates. by over o. 900. The legislature in
joint session had regularly counted and
announce the result.
STOOD WHERE DAVIS STOOD
At high noon, surrounded by militia
and the usual pomp of military display,
Colonel Oates took the oath OF office upon
the state capitol, standing where jeff
Davis stood when he was sworn III as
president of the southern confederacy.
Governor Oates was introduced by ex-
Governor Jones and addressed the crowds
in front of the capitol. Referring to his
inaugural charges Of fraud Governor
Oates said: sit has been claimed that
frauds were committed in the last August
4
of any and in the good name OF our state
regret that such charges have been
made / proclaimed in my speeches
during the campaign that L favored
fair elections, and so | do. | am satisfied
beyond doubt that | was legally elected
by large majority or | would not accept
the office. / would not assume the role OF
usurper in the absence of law providing
for contest. ! regret there is not such a
one. If there were frauds IN last August
elections in some OF the counties of The
Black Belt, as charged by the defeated
candidates. they are OF no consequence,
for after throwing out every vote to which
any reasonable man could object, and adj
mitting the entire vote returned for my
competitor as legal, which | do not, |
my majority would then still be large.
TRAMP OF ARMED MEN.
From an early hour this morning the |
streets Of Montgomery resOunded with the !
tramp of armed men, and the roll of |
drums, and the early morning sun glis- |
tened upon hundred of bristliug bayonets, |
all of which marked the arrival and pres
ence Of portion of the state militia to !
participate in inaugurating Governor |
elect w &. Oates The mere presence of |
the troops on such an occasion is not an |
unusual occurrence. 1t has long been the |
custom for the state militia TO participate |
ia the Inauguration ceremonies. There |
was one unusual feature in con-
nection with their presence, how
ever. Each OF these men at the
direct orders of Governor Jones
carried forty rounds OF ball cartridges,
with other rounds close at hand. As they
trudged steadily through the streets in
rlose order there was shown in their man
ner and bearing evidence of their readi-
uess for whatever might come.
There was another body of men on the
streets who made no display of force, but
who were easily recOvuiZpl- They !
tall, gaunt conntrymen, with sullen faces
and atrired in rough clothes and SLOUGH
hats. They had come to town in small
groups within the preceding twenty-four
hours, by tram, wagon and mules, They
sid not appear med0lesome, made no
boss's or threats, but went about with
sOwed air and gaZed wrathfully upon the
militia They came here at Captain Kolb's
request to see him sworn III as governor,
by the grace OF GCd, " but without form
81 law.
WOULDN'T TAKE THE RISK.
The hoibires did net exhibit their guns
Governor Jones and staff came to the state
house this morning and busted themselves
making preparations to protect the inaug-
nral services from violence. AT 1880
o'clock the militia began TO assemble at
The armory.
At caucus of Kolbites last night it
was decided TO assemble at the state house
today one hour in advance of the
and have kolb sworn in.
Some difficulty was experienced in
getting an official to administer the oath,
two Populist judges, sympathzers with
The cause, declining on the ground that
they would lose their offices by being i'm
peached for treason.
AT IL O'Clock message was received at
the state house that Captain Kolb had ,
taken the subernatorial oath In a down
town office and was coming up to the
state house to make his speech. Governor ,
Jones issued orders 10 give free access 10
1 he state house grounds as long as those
who entered behaved in an orderly man .
mer.
kolb was sworn in by James W. Powell, !
n justice OF the peace, the ceremony oc-
curing in the law office of Warren Reese, ,
kolblGe candidate for United States SEN
ator. The other kolbite candidates for ;
state office We're also sworn in. kolb and
his cabinet then proceeded TO the state | !
house for the purpose of making a speech |
He WAS followed 10y several adherents | !
They marched mp the state house steps.
through the ranks Of the assent led ,
militia and took places beside the Identical
portico upon which Jefferson Davis was
declared president OF the Confederate
States. ,
In few min utes Governor Jones sent
for Captain holb. On reaching Governor