Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-03-16
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS
EXCITING Times in Kentucky. :

a special train at seven o'clock. Inc
riot alarm was sounded from all ire
fire alarm bells at FIVE o'clock and
about $50 members responded.
FRANKFORT, March 16.-The people
of Frankfort slept very little last night.
They were too excited. In the hotels
the leaders of both parties gathered for
consultation. The Frankfort military
company on duty at the Capitol was
reinforced by the Lexington company
at 8 o'clock this morning and shortly
after 10 o'clock the Louisville Legion
arrived and went on duty about the
State house. A strong guard was also
placed at the Arsenal as precautlop.
The streets were TANNED as early as
o'clock and every incoming train was
loaded down with Blackburn sympa-
thizers and curious people who came
to see the row and pistols were very
much in evidence.
The citizens we're very angry over
the riot call last night and an indigna-
ton meeting is to be held at the court
house this morning.
Rev. Mr.. Cooper, the chaplain OF the
penitentiary, whose turn it was to
open the House with prayer, was stop
ped at the entrance by sentry. He
finally got through and said ut is my
morning to open the House with pray
or, but [ will not do so. refuse to dis
honor God while Kentucky is being
dishonored. The House can 60 with
out prayer this morning as far as am
concerned"
The McCreary Guards, of Frankfort,
were placed at the stairway leading to
the Legislature halls and no one was
allowed to 60 by but State officials,
members of the Legislature, newspaper
men and telegraph operators.
Shortly after 10 o'clock Col. j. b.
Castleman, of Louisville, was made the
active commander of the troops. Most
of the members of the Legislature ar
rived early at the State house and they
ioked about the situation. There seems
to be feeling of relief after the strain
of weeks. The members did not be-
lieye there would be serious trouble to-
day. They think the crisis was passed
last week.
The House doorkeeper, Lieutenant
Sharpley, was dressed in an adjutants
Uniform and had a squad OF men
around him. Among the first to arrive
were Walton and James, the unseated
Senators. They took the same seats
they have occupied in the House since
their expulsion from the Senate.
The mayor and chief of police
showed their disapproval of the gov
ernor's cause by staying away.
Senator Blackburn and ex.Congress-
man Phil. Thompson arrived at the
house stairway at 1870 o'clock. The
Senator was allowed to go up, but Mr..
Thompson was turned back. A min
ute later Sergeantat-Arms Sommers OF
the Senate, accompanied by Colonel
Jack Chinn, Eph. Lillard and his other
newly sworn in deputies were halted.
Mr.. Sommers showed his papers and
hose of bis deputies. He was told to
70 on himself, but his deputies must
remain behind. The latter turned back
and said nothing. Up stairs Senator
Black burn was the only one 10 be seen
of the crowd that had heretofore been
with him in the Senate cloak room for
the past two months.
At 10 o'clock this morning four hun
dred soldiers were camped on State
House square. Every entrace to the
State building was patroled by mil
tiaman with gun. The governor was
in his Office. When seen by a United
Press reporter, just as the Louisville
Legion, $50 strong, stepped from train
and marched to the State House to join
the troops already stationed there, he
said 81 hate to see that. There is no
partisanship in what have done. Elk
cept for the disgrace it would bring on
nv party would wish that they were
the uuruly and that it had been the
democrats who demanded this protec.
ton. However, several democrats
have been among those who have de-
mauded Of me this protection"
Both houses met at II o'clock. The
first scene Yves in the House. MIR.
Baily (rep sent up resolutions endors.
ing the governors action and Mr. Force
(dem) substitute condemDing that
executive. After great disorder, it was
agreed to withdraw both resolutions.
The first thing in the Senate was
resolution offered by Senator Bronston
denouncing Governor Bradley for his
action in taking possession of the Capt.
tol and charging that this procedure is
violation of the constitution; also re-
fusing to perform any act of legislation
so long as the militia remain in control
of the Capitol nor to receive any com.
munication from the governor. Mr..
Bronston demanded their adoption in
bitter speech, calling on every man WHO
was not willing to crawl on his belly to
vote for them. The Chair ruled that
Mr.. Bronston's resolutions we're out of
order and an appeal was taken.
A few women managed to get by the
soldiers and took seats in the lobbies.
The chair and other speakers killed all
the time up to twelve o'clock, speaking.
U. S. Marshal Blackburn, brother Of
the Senator, got by the guard and join
ed the Senator. The Senators and the
lady spectators walked through files of
soldiers to attend the joint session in
the House. The roll call began at once.
The democrats all refused to answer to
their names. Every one watched to
see if Poor would answer to his name.
He did not do so.
Senator Landes said that he was pair
red with Senator Salyers, but had a
right to vote to make quorum. Only
&c answered to their names, all repub-
licans.
The chair ruled that vote would be