The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-16

leaders, he was informed. had been prepar-
ing all day to take forcible possession Of
the Statehouss to-day. Threats were made
that the Senate would arrest the Governor
to-day for usurpation of authority in giving
the instructions he gave Saturday night to
corridors and cloak rooms. All trains Sum
day brought in reinforcements for the men
bent on mischief to-day. 1t was only at
the last moment, when the presence of these
crowds presaged serious danger. that the
Governor yielded to repeated requests OF
orderly citizens of both parties and called
out the militia.
sergeant-at-arms Somers. of the Senate.
had sworn in Jack Chinn. Jim williams,
Eph Lillard and other desperate men as his
deputies. 1t was also reported to the Gov
ernor by numerous affidavits that armed
men had been collecting in the Capitol for
two or three days, with a view to take
charge of the Joint Assembly on Monday.
A company from Lexington and the
s.
early in the morning. General Collier is in
command. Guards surround the Statehouse
and permit no one but State officers, Sena-
tors, Representatives and others having
constitutional right to PASS.
Senator Bronston came into the Govern-
or's Office and asked Why he was debarred
from the Statenouse, WHO was the peace
officer of the State. and why the militia
had been ordered out. He then told the
Governor he could see the affidavits that
would be filed in the Senate to-day. This
evidently referred to an effort to impeach
Governor Bradley~py the Senate. which
has been threatened.
The excitement in the city is great. and
the streets are full of people. No little ap-
prehenson is felt Six hundred armed SOL
ders win be here this morning, and it is
hoped they will be able to preserve peace.
A special to the Commercial Gazette re-
ceived at 1:sO this morning from Frankfort,
view at midnight said. in explanation of
his action. that the presiding officers of
both houses had called on him for protec-
ton and that he had called on the Mayor
to give it, He learned afterwards from the
sheriff that the Mayors police had
been insufficient and had done
nothing to remove the disturbing
element "On Saturday, March A. he said,
'the presiding officers of the two houses,
along with others. had made affidavits that
| armed desperadoes had fntimidated members
of the Legislature and that some Of them
had assaulted a Senator and re-
| fused to let him leave the cham
Der; that a portion Of them, claim
ing to be deputies OF the sergeant-at-
arms, of the joint assembly forcibly pre-
vented. on the 18th of March. the doorkeeper
Of the House of Representatives from doing
his duty. They interfered with the pro-
ceedings OF the joint assembly and per-
dation. and also permitted numerous other
persons who were armed to occupy the
| Senate chamber and cloak rooms of the
| two houses during the joint session of the
Legislature. and that the authorities were
| powerless, overawed or unwilling to
act, and unless / interfered to pro-
! tect the General Assembly legislative
action would be prevented, roit and
bloodshed would follow and the security of
the lives of citizens and officers of the
commonwealth required action on my part.
Under these circumstances 1 felt that
could not allow such state of things to
continue and called out the State guard"
Louisville Militia Ordered Out.
LOUISVILLE, March ia telegram was
received here tonight from Governor
Bradley ordering four companies of the
Kentucky State Guard to Frankfort with
all possible haste. Three hundred men,
under the command of Gen. John B. Cas-
tleman, will leave on a special train at z