Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-01-11
NEW JERSEYS FIGHT.
Doors of Senate Chamber
Battered Down.
POLICE MAY SETTLE ROW.
Detailed Story Of Sensational Day at
the State House.

TRENTON, Jan. 11.-When the Demo
cratic senators adjourned yesterday morn.
ing until today they instructed the ser
geant-atarms and doorkeepers to lock up
the chamber and barricade the doors
from the inside. When the Republican
senators arrived at the state house yester.
day afternoon and found entrance to the
chamber barred again they were very In
dignant.
The Republican senator's gathered un.
derneath the stairway leading = the su.
prsme courtroom. Colonel Skirm, backed
by several colleagues, held that to entei
the chamber was merely to maintain
their constitutional rights. Hundreds Of
men were waiting for the single word Of
authority TO burst the senate doors open.
but Colonel Skirm held them in check,
and sent for locksmiths. The locksmiths
went to work on the heavy oaken doors
leading to the mems gallery.
Plank Did the Work.
The locksmiths could not work fast
enough to suit the mob. A huge plank
was obtained from the cellar of the state
house and four stalwart Republicans
banged IL against the door again and
again. The bolts were forced, the wood.
work was ripped, and the doors were
opened amid shouts Of triumph.
Captain Graham was the first TO get
Into the gallery. He then jumped down
TO the floor of the chamber and opened
the front doors. The Republican senators
then took their seats and the crowd
cheered for five minutes. Then quiet was
restored and the session of the Republican
senate opened. Clerk Potts Of the house
appeared with message announcing the
passage OF the race track repeater. where
upon there was more cheering.
After taking a brief recess the senate
passed the racing repeater by a unani.
nous vote. A resolution was offered by
Senator Ketcham, authorizing the ap-
pointment of 25 additional sergeants-at-
arms to take possession and hold the sem
ate chamber for the use of the senate Of
New Jersey. This resolution was tempo
rarily laid over.
Police Called Upon.
just about at this time rumor spread
that Chief of State Police Feeney, who is
located In Hudson county, had been ask ed
TO come to Trenton on a special train with
300 men picked from the police depart
ments of Jersey City, Hoboken and other
cities. Governor Werts was not at the
state house at the time and his name was
not connected with the rumor.
The Republican senators considered II
likely that such an order had been missed,
and at once abandoned their notion Of
holding the chamber with 25 extra men.
The senate then reconvened and adopted
. resolution, declaring that the Demo
cratic minority had taken unlawful pos
session of the cham Der, and directing the
sergeant-at-arms to keep the floor free
from all but members of the legislature,
its officials and others entitled by custom
to its privileges.
Before this resolution was adopted
ringing speeches were made by Senators
Voorhees,, Ketcham, Bradley and Skirm.
If they were barred out of their own
chamber In the future, the Republicans
would meet elsewhere. The Republican
senators intend to perform the duties
which the people had elected them to per-
form.
After the adoption Of the resolution the
senate adjourned until Monday.
The Republicans have several door
keepers In charge of the senate chamber.
They are not to obstruct the entrance Of
the Democrats, but act merely as the
representatives of the "senate of New
Jersey" II the Democrats eject them the
Republicans will make no further effort
to use the chamber.