The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-12
FIERCE FIGHTS IN ORDER
ReVolVerS Drawn and Many
Persons Very Seriously
Injured.
THEY SHUT OUT ONE VETO
The Little Scheme of Governor
Matthews That Caused the Dis
order and Bloodshed.

INDIANAPOLIS, March 1.-THE Legisla-
ture broke up in a wild riot tonight, in
which almost every member participated.
Revolvers were drawn and many persons
were seriously injured, Adams of Parke
County perhaps fatally.
For fully twenty minutes the Statehouse
was filled with a bowling, surging mob
Men who had been friends and sat side by
side during the session became deadly enc
mics and made every effort to injure each
other. Myron King, Governor Matthews
private secretary, was locked in the elevator
and a big burly man guarded the door
and refused to allow him to leave. The
police finally drove the man away and the
secretary was released. When he arrived
at the door of the House at II :55 he found
it locked. He had an important message
from the Governor and a great deal de-
pended upon its delivery to the Speaker Of
the House before - o'clock
He pounded on the door, but was de-
MED admission. He cried that the door
was locked and requested that it be opened,
as he had message from the Governor.
His voice was heard by a number of Demo-
Gratis who were in the corridors, and they
ran to his assistance. An attempt was made
to force open the doors, but the crowd of
Republicans who were bent upon the Gov
ernor's secretary being kept out with his
message resisted with all the force they
could command. The heavy oak doors
were unable to stand the pressure brought
to bear upon them and they were
forced open. King, who was in front, was
forced right into the crowd OF Republicans,
who were bent on keeping him from reach
ing the speaker. With one accord the men
began striking at each other, and the sec
rotary was in great danger of being killed.
kill him." cried hundred voices
Women who were in the gallery screamed
and one or two of them tainted In a mo-
ment everything was confusion. and
friends and enemies alike were fighting
The sole aim of the Democrats was to get
King through the crowd to the Speakers
desk with the Governors veto and the
Republicans were determined TO hold him
back until y O'Clock, at which time the
House would adjourn sine die.
Inch by inch the Democrats gained
ground. Many persons were knocked
down and trampled under foot Revolvers
were fOurished in the air, but as fast as
they were drawn the men holding them
were Knocked down. The heavy chairs
were torn loose by the mob and the desks
were broken to pieces. Doors leading to
other rooms were shattered by persons in
the corridors trying to effect an entrance
TO the chambers. The police were power
less TO check the mob, which seemed bent
on destroying everything in the room.
At 11:57 the excitement was intense.
Men were fighting in every part of the
room and several of them were bleeding
from numerous wounds. The Democrats
were gradually forcing King toward the
Speakers desk and the Republicans were
growing weaker on account of some of
them being injured. A few minutes later
King, with his clothing torn almost
from his body and his back bleeding,
was pushed by main strength through the
crowd and thrown heavily against the
speakers desk. He held Governor Mat
thew's veto in his hands, but it never
reached the speaker. Just as King was
that official kicked and beat back the crowd
and in voice which could be heard above
the horrible din cried:
THE House has adjourned-the House
has adjourned"
1hls raised great cry from the crowd,
and everybody made rush toward the
Speaker. The veto was torn from Kings
hand by a man who dashed out of the
crowd with it and made good his escape.
This practically ended the riot. Sereral
small fights occurred, but the police finally
succeeded in driving them from the cham
Der. No less than two dozen persons were
hurt. No arrests were made.
The trouble originated over the attempt
this morning to supplant Custodian Grit
fin, Democract, with Republican.
The Governor has three days In which
to consider all measures. The bill was de-
ivered to the Governor three nights ago.
1t was his scheme to hold it to the last
minute and then the Legislature could
not pass it over his veto, as its statute ad-
iournment would take place at u o'clock.
The Governors secretary started with the
bill within 10 minutes timo.
Adams, who was injured, is the repre-
sentative of Park County. He was kicked
in the pit of the stomach and had to be
carried from the House.
LONG service has proved the superiority
n d. IOoI- ID