The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1896-03-19
THE RIOT BELLS RANG
Martial Law Declared at Frank
fort, Ky.
The CAPITOL UNDER GUARD
Ii Is Said Blackburn Men Intended to
Take ForcibIe Possession of
the Stute House Today.

Cincinnati, March 15.--The CONNER
cial-Gazette's 12:4O a. m. special from
Frankfort, KY, says:
The riot bell rang from the fire house
at IL o'clock Sunday night, and at the
same moment Governor Bradley order
ed out the militia. Ten minutes later
the McCreary guards, SO strong, Captain
Noel Gains, were in possession of the
state house, and martial law was pro-
claimed.
Until today Governor Bradley had
persistently refused to call out the mill
itia, although urged to do so by citi-
zens, irrespective of party The Black
burn leaders, he was informed, had
been preparing all day to take forcible
possession of the state house tomorrow.
Threats were made that the senate
would arrest the governor tomorrow for
usurpation of authority. in giving the
Instructions he gave last night to the
sheriff of Franklin county to clear the
corridors and cloak rooms.
Armed Men In the Capital.
All trains today brought in reinforce
ments of men, bent ON mischief tomor-
row. 1t was only at the last moment,
when the presence of these crowds pre-
saged serious, danger, that the governor
yielded to repeated requests of orderly
citizens of both parties, and called out
the militia.
The sergeant at arms Mr.. Somers,
had sworn in Jack Chinn, Jim Williams.
e. p. Lilliard and other desperate men
as his deputies.
1t was reported to the governor by
numerous afiidavits that armed men
had been collecting in the capitol for
two or three days, with a view of taxi
ing charge of the joint assembly on
Monday
company from Lexington and the
Louisville Legion, 300 strong, will ar
rive early in the morning. General Col
lier is in command.
The capitol will be strongly guarded
when the legislature meets tomorrow
Guards surround the state house and
| permit no one but state officers, sena-
| tors, representatives and others having
constitutional right to pass.
! Senator Bronston came into the gov
| ernor's office and asked why he was
| debarred from the state house, who was
the peace officer of the state, and why
| the militia had been ordered out. He
| then told the governor he could see
| andavits that would be filed in the SEN
\ ate tomorrow.
4 This evidently referred to an effort
| to impeach Governor Bradley by the
| senate, which has been threatened all
| day.
The excitement in the city is great,
I and the streets are full of people. No
| little apprehension is felt. Six hundred
armed soldiers will be here in the morn
1 ing, and 1t is hoped they will be able
| to preserve the peace.
Governor Bradley Interviewed.
| Cincinnati, March 15.--A special to
/ the Commercial-Gazette received at 40
! this morning from Frankfort, KY,
| says:
Governor Bradley in an interview at
| midnight said in explanation Of his. ac-
tion that the presiding officers Of both
| houses had called on him for protection
and that he had called on the mayor TO
| give it. He learned afterwards that the
| sheriff and the mayors police had been
| insufficient and had done nothing to
| remove the disturbing element
| "On Saturday, March IA, the presid-
| ing officers of the two houses, along
| with others, had made afiidavits that
\ armed desperadoes had intimidated
! members of the legislature and some Of
| them had assaulted a senator and re-
| fused to let him leave the chamber;
| that a portion of them claiming to be
| deputies of the sergeant-at-arms of the
| joint assembly forcibly prevented, on
! the 14th of March the door-keeper of
| the house of representatives from leav-
| ing his post of duty.
! "They interfered with the proceed
| ings of the joint assembly and permit
ted armed persons to occupy the senate
chamber and cloak rooms of the two
| houses during the joint session, and
that said authorities were powerless 10
act and unless he interfered TO protect
! the general assembly legislative action
would be prevented, riot and bloodshed
would follow, and the security Of the
lives of citizens and officers of the com
monwealth required action"