The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-12-06
NOT A SHOT FIRED
Colonel Oates and Captain koIb
lnaugurated.
POLITICAL SITUATION EXCITING
tempt to Make Speech on the
State House Steps Was
Frustrated.

Montgomery. Ala. Dec. 1.-The state
OF Alabama now has two governors and
two separate sets of state officers. Col
onel Oates and those elected on his
ticket preside at the state house. Cap
tain Kolb and his contingent have not
announced their official headquarters
The political situation in Alabama
today has been most exciting one
This was the day set by law for the inaug-
uration of a governor and state ticket.
The returns of the August election
have shown the election of the demo-
cratic ticket, headed by Colonel Will
liam Oates, by over 20,5 majority The
legislature in joint session had regu-
larly counted and announced the re-
suit. Captain Kolb, Oates opponent,
the nominee of the populists, charged
frauds and claimed that he had re-
ceived a majority of the votes and
was the rightful heir to the governors
office. He determined therefore to be
sworn in and was. AT high noon, sur
rounded by the members of the legisla-
ture and with the usual pomp of mill
tary display, Colonel Oates took the
oath of office upon the steps of the state
capitol, standing on the very spot on
which Jefferson Davis stood when he
was sworn in as president of the south
ern confederacy. Numerous therats
had been made by misguided friends
of Kolb and to avoid anything like vio-
lence, more than 20 companies of troops
with cartridges in their belts were pres
ent and participated in the Inaugural
ton ceremonies. winch were without
disorderly event.
KOLBITES SWORN IN.
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.
G. Fanville, secretary of state; w. II.
Lynch. auditor; J. d. Oliver. superin-
tendent of education. and Warren
Reese, Jr.. attorney general Kolb and
his cabinet then marched to the state
house through the ranks of militia.
Governor Jones sent for Kolb, who
was escorted into his presence by Lieu
tenant Irwin, of the regular army
Il understand, SIR said Governor
Jones, that you propose to make a
speech claiming to be governor of Ala
bama p
THAT is my intention"
Then / must say to you the moment
you attempt 1t / will have you arrested
and carried off the grounds" answered
| the governor. IF you We're governor
| you would do the same thing in sim
liar case. ! will not permit you or any
one else on these grounds to interrupt
the inaugural proceedings of Governor
Oates"
MOVED OFF THE GROUNDS.
Governor Jones' manner was courte-
Gus but firm. Captain Kolb started off
the grounds followed by his adherents
They congregated again in the streets
outside of the grounds. They mounted
wagon and there populist clergyman
| invoked the blessings of God ION plain
people, o God" he said, "who are here
to secure an honest government"
Captain Kolb made short temperate
address, The only bitterness in 1t was
directed at Governor Oates. whom he
termed as a usurper He would use
every means to gain the position which
he declared belonged to him. He eau
toned the people against violence and
amid rousing cheers descended from the
wagon. There were not over 800 Kolb-
ties in the crowd and no signs Of arms
among them. They dispersed, but pro-
ceeded down town. where they enlisted
in a militia company. although the lat
ter has no apparent or definite plan OF
action. A battery of artillery was
swung into position on the hill near the
state house and the cavalry with
drawn.