Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-25
kOLB BOBS UP AGAIN.
Another Message to the Alabama Legis-
lature- Signature as Governor.

lature- Signature as Governor.
BIRMINGHAM, ALA, January "a
captain II. T. Kolb has written another
message to the Legislature. in which he
hrges the enactment of law to punish
psurpers. He signs himself as Governor.
THE message was made public to-day.
had reads as follows:
There is n consciousness of obloquy
pttached at this time to the unsettled con-
ylct Of title in the exalted office of Chief
Executive of our beloved State. in which
every informed and honest mind must
Participate. 1t is by sufferance of
patient people that any forms OF legality
hTe given to your proceedings.
80 far as In me lies, i am resolved that
in the future. as in the past. until the
Tact Of law and order is re-established.
shall permit no timely moment TO
Escape my earnest protest against the
lsnominy Of the present situation.
1T is incumbent upon the General AS
Fembly to take into account that in time
pf profound peace II became necessary for
my rival claimant TO the Office of Cover
nor to seize the Treasury and the militia
80 enable him to assume the duties Of the
tfice. This precauton was instigated by
the admitted fact that brave and honest
minority OF the people believe he is
lsuTper by the bare fact that he was not
fiected.
Il am still deprived by the seizure OF
The purse and sword Of the State. on the
part Of the usurper Of the benefit Of the
full functions OF my office. But ] con-
ITatulate you that the people are not only
willing, but anxious and determined,
that you shall have their countenance III
Huch legislation as may be opportune and
wise 20 restore the elective methods of
The Constitution to their full enjoyment.
you cannot deny. gentlemen. that uiti-
mate anarchy is the only alternative 10
the continued suppression OF the constitu-
ti0nal safeguards thrown around the
franchise in Alabama. This is brave aud
noble and happy people slow to preeipi-
tate disccrd, but no man doubts the
Spirit which controls them when, In their
Judgment, the time to declare and defend
their liberties IS at hand.
Failure on your part to make opera
tive the Constitution in all its provisions
for an election OF Governor and other
State officers Will bring the merited con-
tempt OF the people. IL may be said that
contest law applying 20 the present
conflicting claims 10 the office Of Cover
nor would partake Of the character OF
I'm ex-post-facto enactment. The sugges-
ton Is mauilestly untimely. The right
telf wnen the candidates for Governor
pnd other State officers were put forward
By their respective parties and support
PRS. This risht is d feature of the elective
system. and does but terminate the
methods Of election put in motion at the
polls.
This is the view taken In several
similar cases 20 our own in other States,
particularly In the Tennessee contest OF
burney versus Evans, now pending.
AN precedent establishes your duty to
make operative the Constitution In au-
thority when the election OF 1884 for
Governor and other State officers trans
pifed There can he no escape In honor
from that paipable and weighty duty
On the part Of this now living General
Assembly. IL VIII not do TO trust TO the
Niirtlose motives Of the people 10 palli-
ate neglect OF SO paramount legislation.
Il desire 10 express my cordial appro-
bation Of any Sufficient statute which
VIII punish usurpers Of Office In this
State. When the system established in
the organic law 20 secure fair elections
shall have been executed in all It's pro-
visions, and the result ascertained, the
psurper shah receive no quarter.
This rule should apply TO ali elective
pihcers. and when usurping governors or
legislators become amenable TO II. the
revenge OF an outraged State should be
realized. ''R. f. KOLB.
Governor.
montgomery. Ala, January "a, 1896"