The morning call., 1894-12-02
ONE TOO MANY
Two Governors in
Alabama.
KOLB KEEPS HIS VOW.
Sworn In by a Justice of
the Peace.
OATES TAKES HIS SEAT.
So the Dual Government Now
Exists.
NO CLASH OF ARMS AS YET,
But 1t Is More Than Likely That
There Will Be Serious
Trouble.
NO CLASH OF ARMS AS YET,


OF Alabama now has two Governors and
two separate sets OF State officers. Colonel
Oates and those elected on his ticket nre-
side at the State House. Captain KoIb
and his contingent have not announced
their official headquarters. The political
situation in Alabama to-day has been a
most exciting one. This was the day set
by law for the Inauguration of a Governor
and State ticket The returns of the Au-
gust election have shown the election of
the Democratic ticket headed by Colonel
William Oates by over 10000 majority.
The Legislature in joint session had regu-
lsrly counted and announced the result.
Captain Kolb, Oates opponent the nomi-
nee of the Populists, charged frauds and
claimed that he had received a majority of
the voies cast and was the rightful heir to
the. Governors office. He determined,
therefore, to be sworn in and was.
At high HoOD. surrounded by mem bers
of the legislature and with the usual
pomp of military display. Colonel Oates
took the oath of Office upon the steps of
the State Capitol, standing on the very
spot Cd which JEFF Davis stood when he
was sworn in as President of the Southern
Cunfederacy. Numerous threats had been
made by the misguided friends of Kolb.
and to avoid anything like violence, as
we'll as 10 lend spirit to the occasion,
more than twenty ompanies of troops,
with cartridges in their belts. were present
and participated in the Inauguration cere-
monies, which were without a disorderly
event.
From daylight the streets resounded
with the tramp of armed men and the roll
of drums. The sun gIistened upon hun
dred5 of bristling bayonets, marking the
presence of the State militia to participate
In the inauguration of GoVernor-elect w. c.
Oates. Each man, by orders of Governor
Jones, carried forty rounds of ball car
tridges for his rife, with other rounds
close at hand.
There was another body of men on the
streets who made no display of force, but
who were easily recognized. They were
tall, gaunt countrymen. with sullen faces
and attired in rough clothes and SLOUGH
hats. They came to town in small groups
by train, wagon and mules. They made
no boasts or threats. but went about with
cowed air and gaZed wrathfully upon the
militia. They came here at Captain Kolb's
request to see him sworn in as Governor
''by the grace of God" but without form
of law.
Al 10:30 the militia began to assemble at
tie armnry. At caucus of the Kolbites
last night il was decided to assemble at
the State House al ! o'clock to-day, an
hour in advance of the Inauguration of
Oates, and have Kolb sworn in. Difficulty
was experienced in getting an official to
administer the oath. two Populist judges,
sympathizers with the cause, declining,
saying they would lose their offices by
being impeached for treason.
At IL o'clock a message was received at
the State House that Captain Kolb had
taken the Gubernatorial oath in q down
town Office and was coming tn the State
House to make speech. Governor Jones
Issued orders to give free access 70 the
State House grounds as long as those who
entered behaved In an ORDERLY manner.
Kolb was sworn in by James w. Powell.
Justice OF the Peace. in the law Office of
Warren Reese. At the same time the oath
was administered to j. C. Fanville. Secre-
tary of State; W. T. Lynch, Auditor: !
p. Oliver, Superintendent of Education
and Warren Reese Jr. Attorney-GeppraJ
Z 10 and his ca binet then marched to the
State House through tue ranks of the
militia and took their places beside the
identical portico where jefferson Davis
was declared President of the Confederate
States. Governor Jones sent for Kolb.
who was escorted into his presence by
Lieutenant Irwin of the regular army.
pe II understand. SIR" said Governor
Jones, "that you propose to make a
speech claiming TO be Governor of Ala
bama."
THAT is my intention"
Then l must say to you that the mo-
ment you attempt it 1 will have you ar
rested and carried off the grounds" an
swered the Governor. "If you we're Gov
similar case. / will not permit you or any
one else on these grounds 10 Interrupt the
Inauguration proceedings of Governor
Oates"
Governor Jones manner was courteous
but firm. Captain Kolb went out OF the
grounds followed by his adherents. They
cOngregated again In the street outside the
grounds, where they mounted wagon
and there Populist clergyman invoked
the blessing of God on 'a plain people, 0
Cod" he said. "who are here to secure an
honest government"
Captain Kolb made a short and temper
ate address. The only bitterness In il was
directed at Governor Oates, whom he
termed a uSUrper.
Captain Kolb, after brief introduction.
said: "By frauds of the greatest character
the title Of the office has been conferred
upon Colonel Oates. He is to-day adding
insult TO injury by accepting the highest
Office 10 your gift. well knowing that 1t is
bestowed upon him by fraudulent acts of
the party officials controlling the polls. l
would indeed be an migrate If l failed to
protest here to-day in behalf of two-thirds