The Bessemer indicator., 1894-03-24
WARS HORRID FRONT
DENVER AN ARMED CAMP.
Oast the RssaioisrAat foiiss
BoArd-CAaaoa Trained on
f1ew Vail

DenVer was sheken from centor ~
circumference Thursday the 18th by
wars and rumors of wars.
The contest over the positions OF
the Fire and Police Board Of Denver
had reached critical stage. The pre-
ceding facts are as follows:
Governor Waite on the Sth removed
Orr and Martin from the board because
they protected gambling. He ap-
pointed Barnes and Mullins in their
/ places. Orr and Martin refused to va
cate. The governor threatened to
drive them out with the militia. Orr
and Martin appealed to the District
Court, and Judge Graham issued n
temporary injunction forbidding the
executive from interfering with them.
Governor Waite and his attorneys held
that the court had no right to restrain
the states chief executive from doing
what he considered to be his duty.
The morning papers made public
the startling fact that Governor
Waite had ordered the infantry,
artillery and signal corps, Colorado
National Guard in the city to report at
the armory at p. IN. 1t was gcner-
ally believed that his intention was to
disregard the injunction Of Judge
Graham and attempt to forcibly re-
move Messrs. Orr and Martin, the old
members of the police board from its
office in the city hall and install the
new board, Messrs Rogers, Mullins
and Barnes. The supposition proved
to be correct for at 2 o'clock the militia
was ordered to move on the city hall
under Adjutant General Tarsney.
Colonel Hogle was relieved from the
command as he was feared to be dis
loyal to the governors cause. The
force consisted of the Chaffee Light
Artillery with two Gatling guns and
two twelve Founders, the signal corps
mounted on bicycles and the infantry,
the whole force numbering about 200
men. The column accompanied by a
great crowd Of curious citizens moved
down from the armory at 26th and
Curtis streets to Fourteenth and Law
renee, one block from the city hall.
The cannon and Gatling guns were un-
limbered and pointed toward the city
hall
During this time the other side had
not been idle. The police force had
all been concentrated in the city hall,
armed with rifies and shot guns and
given orders. The sheriff also being
in sympathy with the old board had
prepared to take hand by swearing
in large force of deputies, said to
number 200, who would be used to
support the court $ Injunction and help
defend the old police board Some of
these deputies were of the worst class
of tough citizens, 1t being generally
understood that the new board if in
stalled would put stop to gambling,
the gambling fraternity were very
ready to lend all the aid possible in
defense of the old board. 1t was stat
ed that besides ordinary arms the
forces at the city hall had supply of
dynamite on hand to use as last re-
sort if an attack was made upon them.
Such was the condition of affairs at
clock
But attempts Mt an adjustment of
the controversy had been in progress.
Committees Of citizens and a commit
tee of leading business men represent
ing the Chamber of Commerce labored
with the two sides to secure compro-
mise of some sort that would prevent
the opening of hostilities.
The lawyers for the opposing sides
had not been idle and we're in consul
tstion all day. The attorneys for Orr
and Martin asked the other side to
submit to the Supreme Court the ques-
ton whether the governor had the right
to call out the militia, as he had done.
Barnes and Mullins refused to accept
the proposition. They wanted the Su-
preme Court to decide the whole ques-
ton as to who should hold the Office
Orr and Martin would not consent to
have the question of their rights thus
hurriedly passed upon. 1t has been
stated that the object Of Orr and Mar
tin was to keep the case in the courts
as long as possible. they holding on to
the Offices until it was settled.
The governor had advised the officers
to delay an attack Oh the city hall
pending these negotiations, but at five
o'clock the attorneys for Orr and Mar.
tin refused to discuss the matter fur.
ther.
But Governor Waite had decided
that the force of militia at his com
mand was not sufficient to cope with
the formidable forces within the city
hall and he did not give the order tc
fire. Instead he appealed to General
McCook at Fort Logan, ten miles
from the city for United States troop.
to help keep order in the city. Gen
eral McCook responded in person, ac
companied by 300 men who were en-
camped near the depot for the night
1t was explicitly stated by General
McCook that he came not to interfere
in the contest, but to assist in main
tanning order in the city.
Governor Waite, having decided that
he needed larger force before begin
ming an assault on the city hall, or
dered the militia back to their bar
racks. He then caused General Tars