Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-18

TRENTON, N. j., Jan. 10.-The Re-
publican Senate is in possession OF the |
Senate chamber tonight.
The situation of affairs this morning
was this: Ten Democratic Senators,
with Robert Adrain as president, and
the officers OF last years Senate had
possession of the Senate chamber and
were going ahead transacting business
despite the fact that 10 members do not
constitute a majority. They claim,
however, that the four hold-over Re-
publican Senators, by their appearance
in the chamber, made up the legal ma
jority.
On the other hand, the II Republican
Senators-four who hold over and seven
elected last fall-had formally organized
with Maurice A. Rogers as president,
and full force of officers and clerks.
This organization was effected yester-
day in one of the committee rooms of
the Senate chamber, and having II
voters, q majority of the Senate, was
also going ahead and transacting bust
ness The governor had recognized the
Democratic Senate and the House
opened communication with the Repub-
lican Senate.
DEMOCRATIC SENATE.
The session of the Democratic Senate
was opened with prayer this morning.
President Adrain always stands during
PRAYER with head bowed reverently.
Yesterday the formality of opening
with prayer was forgotten In the excite
ment. The roll call showed that Sena-
tors Miller and Perkins were absent this
morning.
Senator DAILY offered resolution di-
recting the sergeant-at-arms to notify the
four Republican hold overs = Hoff-
man, Skirm, Smith and Stokes-to at
tend the session Of this body ut 10
o'clock tomorrow morning. The reso-
luton was adopted without discussion.
If the four Senators in question do
not appear tomorrow they are to be
brought in under arrest.
A Communication was received from
the State comptroller announcing that
the contract for the current printing OF
the Legislature had been awarded to the
John L. Murphy Publishing Company
of Trenton.
The Democratic Senate then adj
journed until 1890 tomorrow morning
THE DOOR FORCED.
When the Democratic Senate adj
iourned and the members departed
their instructions 20 the sergeant-at
arms and the doorkeepers were to loci
up the chamber tight and barricade thu
doors from the inside. Republican
wrath has been boiling over all day
When the Republican Senators arrived
at the State house this afternoon anC
found the entrance to the chambe
barred again they were well nigh speech
less with indignation.
"rhis thing has gone far enough,
exclaimed Senator Skirm of Mercer
He is colonel of the Seventh Regiment
N. q. N. j., and one OF tho tierces
militia men in the State. ~ want :
enter the chamber and take the seat t
which l have been elected, and meai
to 40 it," The corridors of the capito
were thronged with politicians, mem
bers of the Legislature, State official
and hundreds of other spectators.
"Now you're talking, colonel, 'shoute
some one in the throng, and q gres
shout of approval went up.
Tho Republican Senators gathered
little bunch underneath the stat
way leading to the supreme cou
room. Some of them counseled again
the disorder and excitement, b(
Colonel Skirm backed up by sever
colleagues, held that to enter the chan
Der was merely to maintain their const
tutional rights. Hundreds of men we
waiting for single word Of authorii
to burst the Senate doors open, b.
Colonel Skirm held them in check, sa
ing il would be wiser and better to ser
for locksmith, and he did so. Tv
expert locksmiths soon arrived and We
to work on the heavy oaken doors.
A hu0a rnnh nrneaad. heavily nUai n
them from the rear. Captain Jat
Graham, the Hudson county constabl
and Colonel w. ii. Morrell, color
Republican and agitator of Essex, we
in front of the mob. The locksmi
could not work fast enough
suit the mob. A plank was @
taIned from the cellar Of the Sta
House and four stalwart Republlca
banged it against the doors leading
the mems gallery until the bolts ga
way.
Captain Graham was the first to
into the gallery. He then jumped dol
to the floor of the chamber and open
the front doors by turning the Ike
pushing the bolts back and removi
the barricade of chairs, heavy desks, 4
REPUBLICAN SENATE IN SESSION.
The Republican Senators took tn
seats at once and the crowd cheered a
yelled for fully five minutes. Then gu
was restored and the session of the
publican Senate opened. Clerk Potts
the House, appeared with message
nouncing the passage of the race-trt
repeater, whereupon there was cheeri
and the Senate took recess for
minutes.
After the recess the Senate passed
racing repeater by unanimous VI
and adopted the House resolution r
viding for a joint meeting on the
of January.
A resolution was then offered
Senator Ketcham Of Essex, authoriz
the appointment of "25 additio
sergeants- alarms to take possession
hold the Senate chamber for the us
the Senate of New jersey"
This resolution was temporarily
over, and the Senators held confere
to decide further on their course
action,
n just about this time rumor spI
II through the State House that the )
police had been sent for. The rel
II was to the effect that Chief Feel
who is located in Hudson county,
been asked to come to Trenton {
special train with 800 men picked I
IA the police departments OF Jersey I