The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-01
LEGISLATORS IN TURMOIL
Oay Of Great Excitement in Kentucky's
State House.
{,2MED MEN GUARD THE DOOR.

Blood Was Nearly Shed in the Contest at
Frankfort for United States Senator
ship---Republican Representatives Un-
seat Democrat and Democratic Sena-
tors Dust Two Republicans.
FRANKFORT, Ky., March 12.-The attempt
to elect United States Senator came near
resulting in boodshed. As it was 1t led to
extraordinary measures in both the Repub-
lican House and the Democratic Senate, and
the Joint session was converted into dis
turbed assemblage, no attention being paid
to the forms of law or parliamentary prac-
tice.
the unseating of Kaufman, Democrat, IN
the House. promptly followed by the unseat-
ing of Walton and James. Republicans. IN
the Senate, created the most intense excite
ment of the present turbulent session OF the
Legislature. Crowds of angry and excited
men surrounded the halls of both branches,
and bloohshed was several times threatened.
When the House convened. in order 10
stave off the Thorne Distillers bill. those
opposed to il demanded the consideratlon ci
the Dunlap-Kaufman contest case as pr'i-
legged matter. .-.
The vote was taken on the minority report
In favor Of unseatinS kaufman. ~ was
was then ordered on the majority report, as
amended by this minority unseatlng report.
All the Democrats left the House. The Ia
dies withdrew from the lotbies. Mr.. Poor,
Populist, staid in and flfty-one members
were present. Mr.. kaufman was unseated.
The widest excitement prevailed all over
the State House within minute. senators
huddled together in the middle OF the Senate
Chamber. while mob crowded every en-,
Walton should not 20 in. Several men Win
pistols stood at the door daring Repuohcans
to attempt to bring them in.
The scene in the Senate Immediately after
the uuseating Of Kaufman and while James
and Walton were being unseated was rlotous.
The Lieutenant Governor ignored the CLERK
putting motions. He broke his gavel and
left his chair. The Democratic Senators
shouted their votes like commanding officers
giving orders In battle.
threatened by his manner every Democrat
who tried to make him 60 back. When the
Clerk announced the result OF the vote on
the motion to unseat Senators rushea 70 tne
House door and the crowd roared Ike
mob. ..
The real danger was that an attempt
would be made TO take JdueS HULL lno
House, into which he had slipped while
being unseated. He promised that he would
not try to vote until a further settlement OF
the matter.
Anv attempt of Walton to force his way In
would undoubtedly have caused bloodshed.
Dunlap refused to qualify.
Senator Blackburn was in the crowd coun-
selling GOODNESS. The crowd was furious
when it learned that James had already
slipped into the House, and had done SO
while he was being unsested in the Senate:
Dunlap approached the door, but was waved
back.
,speaker Blapiord, of the House, refused to
recognize the Senate, hoping that Dunlap
+ would come In. but at 12:11 Lteutenant-GoV-
ernor Worthington took the RaVel from
Speaker Blanford almost by force and called
the Joint session to order.
The Chair ruled that the Democratic
Senate Clerk should call the Senate roll and
the House Clerk the House roll The roll
call was then begnn, the Republicans re-
framing from voting. There was Whisper
that the Republicans might at the last mo-
ment vote for Carlisle.
Eight or ten Democrats voted tor Carhsie.
The vote stood: Blackburn, 81; Carlisle, III;
Buckner, 1. The Chair announced no quorum
voting. The session adjourned. The doors
were thrown open and tie members filed out
and mingled with the crowd, all seemingly
in a good humor.
As Dunlap will not qualify as Kaufman's
successor, the joint session vote Is again
tie