The herald., 1896-03-17
ONLY A FLASH IN THE PAN
THE PROMISED SENSATION IN KENTUCK'S
CONTEST FAILS TO MATERIALIzE
Bitter Talk and q Fruitless Ballot Tell the
Story Of the Session-0overnor Bradley,
Without Hearing Convicted Of Usurpa-
tion Of Authority
Associated Press Special Wire

FRANKFORT, Ky., March 16.-Today's
sensation in the senat torial contest flashed
in the pan. Bitter talk and fruitless bal
lot tell the story. and those features have
been present every day since the fight be-
gan. The scenes, however, had different
setting and to the dramatis personae were
added 400 bluecoats from Louisville, Lex
ington and Frankfort. The salutary effect
of this military display does not appear on
the surface. because the reason for its
presence was apprehension and not the
existence of violence. Three companies of
the state guard took up their position on
the state house grounds this morning and
the Kentucky Legislators fled through
picket lines to their meeting places in the
capitol. The presence of this armed force
was the subject of numerous resolutions
and acrimonious debate in both houses.
The senate, by strict party vote:
adopted resolution reciting the action of
Governor Bradley in calling out the mi-
iitia, which was declared to he without
warrant of law. necessity or justification"
and appointing committee headed bv
Senator Goebel 10 Enquire into such a con-
temptible breach cf privilege" and to re-
port to the senate for final action. This
was adopted as substitute for resolu-
ton offered by Senator Bronston, violently
denouncing Governor Bradley and declar-
ing the purpose of the senate to suspend
all legislation while the military guard re-
mained in possession of the capitol. The
house got into tangle over a number of
resolutions offered by both sides, oil of
which were finally withdrawn.
At a joint session one ballot for United
States senator was taken to fulfill legal re-
quirements. after the Democrats and Pop.
nlist Poor had broken a quorum by refus.
ing to vote. Another ballot will be taken
tomorrow.
Adjutant Collier announced that the mi
litia will remain on duty until the le2isla-
ture adjourns.
SENATORIAL ACTION
CINCINNATI, o., March A special to
the Commercial Gazette from Frankfort.
Ky., says: The Democrats in the senate
have, without a hearing, tried and con-
victed Governor Bradley of usurpation of
authority in the calling out of the militia.
This was done by a resolution offered by
Senator Rronston in the morning session
! and passed late in the afternoon. The
committee named in this resolution was
composed of Senators Goebel. Bronston,
McChord, Sims, Gross and Fullerton.
President Worthington Of the senate tes-
titled before the committee this afternoon
that he would have counted the votes of
James and Walton in the joint assembly.
Governor Bradley appeared in the com
mittee room without summons and said:
II want to ask what sort OF a meeting this
is and what is its object. According to
your original resolution ! have been con.
| victed without hearing"
| The governor was asked if he would 60
on the witness stand, whereupon he said !:
| "Ask your questions.
"Have you the affidavits with you that
were filed asking that troops be ordered
out?" asked Senator GoebeI.
| II have the aftldsvits filed by the speaker
of the house ana president of the senate,
but the original statements have disap-
peared from my office"
Rrn Low tOsn ~ n nvysk
from President Worthington of the senate,
stating the dangers already reported in
these dispatches. He also read several
other afiidavits and telegram from Col.
Gather warning him of danger.
Gov. Bradley stated that Gen. Collier
was in command of the militia and report
ed to him that he did not recognize any
civil officer in the matter.
Senator Gobel read section 70 of the
general statutes, which provides the gov
ernor shall only become commander-n-
chief of the militia by resolution of the
senate.
Gov. Bradley replied that this section re-
lated only to time of war, when the militia
was in the field. But the present case was
in time of peace. He stated that he
thought that in the present emergency he
had the power to say that unlawful char
acters should not GO into either of the
houses. The governor then left the stand
and the committee adjourned until s
o'clock tonight.
Colonel Gather of the Second regiment
of militia, a staunch Democrat, testified at
tonight's session. He said Colonel Thomp.
son told him that if Senators Walton and
Jones would attempt 10 vote in the Joint
session they would be thrown out by the
ears, and he informed Governor Bradley.
Colonel Gather also said that he knew a
scheme was on foot for the lawIess ele.
nent to capture the statehouse and run
things. He added: II thought you all
knew about this"
"Who do you mean by you all?'" in
quired Senator Bronston.
II mean you, Senator Goebel," came
Col. Gathers answer. And Gather con-
tinued: II think that the fact that you
carried out Col. Thompson threats proves
that you knew OF the conspiracy on foot,
Mr.. Goebei."
Gather also said that he was told that he
would be shot 10 pieces IL he attempted to
preserve order with squad of forty men,
but that be told Col. Thompson that he
would obey the governors order.
The investigation by tho senate commit
tee ended late tonight. 1t will report to-
morrow. Some predict that the committee
will report to the senate recommending
that the governor be bolh fined and i'm
prisoned. Ii is not generally believed that
the committee will do more than censure
the governor.