River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-03-19

that he (the governor) was to be ar
rested and the state house to be taken
possession of by bullies. All of these
allegations were fatty denied by SEN
ator Bronston, who is leader of the
Blackburn side, and the interview
ended.
Before leaving, however, the governor
told Senator Bronston that his orders
to the troops were TO allow all MEM
bers of the legislature to have free
access to the state house, and that
there was no intention TO stop Or
modest legislators at the gates or any
where else. The conversation between
the two distinguished men was con-
Quoted in a most calm and deliberate
manner, and gives a fair insight into
the situation and the causes leading up
to it. The excitement in the city is
great, and the streets are full of peo-
pie. No little apprehension is felt.
A Day of Sensations.
Frankfort, KY, March II. - While
apparent order reigned in the joint
session, yet the day of martial law
was fun of sensational incidents in the
city and IN the senate chamber. There
was wrathfui denunciation of the re-
publican governor by the democratic
senate for ordering the militia to the
capitol. Senators Bronston and Fulton
introduced resolutions accusing the
governor of fragrant usurpation of
power and the senate adopted that of
Fulton, appointing him and five others
a committee TO investigate "such con-
tempt and breach of privilege" and re-
port for final action.
In the house resolutions indorsing
and condemning the governors act
were presented and withdrawn. Ser.
geant-at-Arms Sommers, of the senate.
was allowed to pass the line of fixed
bayonets, but Col. Jack Chinn and his
other deputies were turned back. An
indignation meeting of citizens was
held in the courthouse, which was
jammed with women who cheered the
mayor and other speakers.
When Gov. Bradley was escorted from
the state house to his mansion by 20
soldiers the immense crowd of people
which lined the streets gave vent to de-
risive cries, Kisses and cat-calls. II was
a sight never before witnessed by Ken
tuckians, and when they saw their chief
executive guarded like the czar of Rus
STA they were stricken with amazement.
Just before the hour for the legisla-
ture to convene, as the venerable Chap
lain Cooper attempted to enter the state
house grounds on his way to the halls
of legislation to open the delibera tons
with prayer, he was stopped at the gate
by the bayonets and told he could not
enter without pass. After explaining
he was allowed to enter, but when he
mounted the rostrum he said:
81 cannot disgrace the Lord by offer
ing prayer while the state is being dis
graced by the armed men surrounding
the capitol. This is the first day have
had a bayonet pointed to my breast
since '61." With that the minister de-
scended and walked from the chamber
amid deafening applause from the DEM
ocrats.
A Defiant Colonel.
Many republicans join in condemn
ing the governor for calling out the
troops. Col. Castleman, commanding
the Second regiment, state guard, open
ly defied the governors authority Mon
day afternoon about four o'clock by or
dering his 500 men to stack arms and
make preparations for returning to
Louisville. He had been placed ia com
mand of the entire state guard by the
governor, but having refused to take
orders from the chief executive took
summary action with his own regiment.
Proved Boomerang.
Tho startling feature of tho 1a " ma a
the result of the investigating commit
tee. The democrats are in high
dudgeon over the outcome. They
confidently expected to establish as
a fact that Gov. Bradley and the
republican leaders had conspired to
call out the militia in order TO compel
the senate to allow Senators Walton
and James TO vote. In this they failed.
The testimony of Col. Gaither proved a
boomerang II showed that the demo-
Gratis had been in communication with
John and Phil Thompson ar others of
that ilk for the purpose of filling the
capitol with armed men and intimidat-
ing the general assembly.
Col. Gathers testimony produced a
decided sensation. II answer to q ques-
ton from Mr.. Gobel, the colonel re-
piled that he believed the senator to
have been cognizant of the plans of
Phil Thompson's resort to arms. He
said that Phil Thompson told him il
he came to the capitol he would be
killed.
Phil Thompson corroborated the
statements made by Col. Gather.