St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-12-02
ballot-box thievlng is anarchy, then,
thank God, | am one"

ballot-box thievlng is anarchy. then,
thank God, | am one"
Capt Kolb. after brief introduction.
said: "By frauds of the grayest char
acter the title of office has been con-
ferred upon Col. Oates. He is to-day ad=
ding insult To- injury by accepting the
highest office in your gift, we'll knowing
it WAS bestowed upon him by fraudu-
lent acts of party officials controlling
the polls. / would indeed be all IN
CRATE if l failed to protest here
today in behalf Ut tWo-thirds OF
the white voters of Alabama against
such usurpation. AS Ouulned
in my address to the people. | have
taken the oath of office, and have been
sworn in as governor OF this state. 1t
is the ballot which gives the rightto the
offices under the laws of Alabama, but
that right has been suspended by false
and fraudulent election returnS,and the
right to the office of governor has been
on prima facle returns conferred on
Col. Oates. | take the oath of office
simply as a protest against uSurpa-
tlon and fraud. and promise you lWIll
use legal means at my command to
A wagon stood near by, and upon this
Capt. Kolb mounted. He stated that
the proceedings would be opened with
prayer. A POpulst clergyman mounted
the wagon, and at his motion the crowd
uncovered their heads. 1t was all inn
pressive scene. Every man In the
crowd was plain cOuntryman. In
the blessing of God upon the assem-
blage. "A plain people, 0 God" he
said, 'whO are here to secure an honest
government"
At its conclusion Capt. Kolb made
short, temperate address. The only
bitterness in 1t was directed at Gov.
Oates, whom he termed usurper. He
declared he had been legally elected
governor, and that lie would use every
means to gain the position, which he
declared belongs to him. He cautioned
set aside and hold for naught the fraud.
ulenU election returns by which he
claims to be governor OF Alabama. Ii
fair and honest ballot law is passed by
the general assembly that would settle
all the trouble and be satisfactory to
the people as well as myself, if this act
OF justice is denied us, then we will
make all appeal to the general govern
ment, confidently relying on the justice
of our cause and believing that in the
end right will triumph and true Re-
publican form Of government be guar
anteed to our beloved state"
He called Gov Oates followers Scoun-
drelS; and, after cautiOning peace,
called on every one present TO meet him
tonight to form a company for the sup
port of Kolb. There were not over two
hundred KOlbites in the crowd, and no
sign Of arms among them. After this
speech they dispersed and proceeded
down town. where they are enlisting in
Crows company, although the latter
has apparently no plan of action. A
battery OF artillery has swung into posi-
ton on the hill in front of the state
house and the cavalry Withdrawn.
About 2 O'Clock Gov.-elect Oates
reached the state capitol, escorted by
the militia. The inaugural ceremonies
were preceded by prayer, after which
Gov. Jones introduced his successor.
who was greeted with prolonged cheers.
The oath Of office was administered to
him on the spot where the oath Of office
was taken Uy Gov. Jones, and the for
malities closed. There was no trouble,
and the incident appeared to be closed
without the anticipated conflict.