The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-03-17
Kentucky's Capitol in Posses
sion of Troops.
CALLED OUT ON SUNDAY
Entire Military Force OF the
State Under Arms.
STILL NO ELECTION or SENATOR
When the Ballot Was Taken for Senator
Only One Vote Was Cast and the
Point of No Quorum Was
Again Made.

Frankfort, KY, March 16.-The
State capitol bristled with bayonets
this morning. The news that Gov.
Bradley had called upon the military
arm of the State was early spread a
bout and caused a great deal of excite
ment. What promised to be the most
sensational dav of the Senatorial fight
was begun with a proclamation from
Governor Bradley issued at 9 o'clock
this morning, as follows:
Commonwealth of Kentucky,
Executive Department.,
Frankfort, KY, March IS. 1896.
Whereas, it has been made known
to me by the affidayits of the President
Of the kentucky Senate that the Speak
er of the Kentucky House of Represen-
tatives, and others, that for several
days past an armed body of desperate
men have, by their threats and demon
strations. intimidated and oyerawed
the members of the General Assembly
and that a portion of the said persons
assaulted Senator G.. j. Walton and pre-
vented him from going out of the SEN
ate chamber; that party of said per-
sons in like manner took possession
of the door of the House while the
joint assembly was in session and as
sumed TO decide who should enter the
chamber of the House when said ses-
sion was being held, and that on the
18th day of March, 1896, a portion Of
the persons were attempted to be
sworn in as officers by the Clerk of the
Senate to wit.-as deputies of the
Sergeant-at-Arms, of the Senate and
thereupon forcibly seized the door
keeper of the House of Representatives
while the General Assembly was in
Joint session and prevented him from
exercising the duty Of his office, and
allowed persons to enter who were net
entitled to a place on the floor, that
the presence of these men prevented
members from voting in the joint ses-
sion; that the civil authorities who are
claiming to act, to wit: the Sheriff and
his posse and the policemen OF the
city, have at no time arrested any Of
these rioters or armed persons, but
have stood by and permitted them to
continue their work of intimidation,
permitting armed persons to occupy
the Senate chamber and cloak room,
while the General Assembly was in
joint session; that said authorities are
either powerIess. overawed or unwill-
ing to act and that unless the Chief
Executive interferes and protects the
General Assembly, legislative action
will be prevented and riot and blood
shed will follow and that the security
of the lives of the citizens and officers
of the commonwealth require such ex-
ecutfve action.
Now, therefore, as Governor of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, ! hereby
call into service, to be placed under
the command of Col. John B. Castle
man, three hundred men of the First
Kentucky Regiment of State Guards;
Company K of the Second Regiment of
Kentucky State Guards to be placed
under the command of Col Il. H.
Gather, and Company B of the Second
Regiment of the Kentucky State
Guards, the latter under the command
of Adjutant General Collier, until said
Gather reach Frankfort, KY, when the
same will be placed under the command
of the said Gather, who together with
said Castleman, will be under the COM
mand of said Adjutant General Collier,
who (said Collier) will report to me.
Said Gather and Castleman are order
ed to proceed with their regiments to
Frankfort, Ky.
(Signed)
WILLIAM O. BRADLEY,
Governor of Kentucky.
CHARLES FINLEY,