Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-07
MILITIA HELD In READINESS
Bitter Democratic Fsctional Fight in Ken
lucky at High Tension,
PRECAUTIONARY ACTION BY AUTHORITIES
Governor Bradley Orders Ten Thou
sand Rounds of Cartridges Sent TO
Louisville Legion and VIII Stay
I'm that city During Day.

FRANKFORT, KY, Nov. 6.-State Ar
morer Dixon, acting under orders from Gov
ernor Bradley. sent by express this after
noon 10000 rounds of cartridges to the Lou
isville legion, in anticipation of a call out
on election day. Large assignments were
also shipped to Covington, Newport and
Lexington.
LOUISVILLE, Ky, Nov. 6-Governor
Bradley, in his capacity as commander-in-
chief of the State guards, is the central
figure in the political situation tonight. The
governor believes the situation so serious
that he will not go to his home, Lancaster,
100 miles away, to cast his vote.
A rumor is current tonight that the local
military organization had been ordered to
report for duty tomorrow, but the rumor
could not be confirmed and there was no
unusual activity among members Of the
regiment, but the rumor Is given signifi-
canoe from the fact that Governor Bradley
positively refused to confirm or deny it or to
say what his plans are beyond an express
sion contained in letter which he made
public tonight. The governor was expected
to address a meeting at the Auditorium to-
night, but changed his mind, giving out the
following in explanation:
Hon. A. Z. Wilson: My Dear Sir--In view
of the intense public excitement now pre-
va!lng in this city and the fact that nu-
merous affidavits of good citizens have been
filed with me, showing that there Is grave
danger of riot and bloodshed and that citi-
zens will be prevented by force and fraud
tr9m % Sheir nd rght e s o, o th fr IN
ther fact that l have been called upon to
act as chief peace officer of the common
wealth, / have concluded that it would be
improper for me to deliver an address this
evening.
I will thank you to assure those who may
Iii 1,Nyt hei
will remain in the city and see that every
voter, irrespective of political opinion, Is
vote counted and the public peace protected
at all hazards.
1 do not intend to surround the polls with
bayonets or intimidate voters. ! do in,
tend that they shall not be intimidated and
will act promptly should necessity arise
Yours, W. o. BRADLEY.
The disturbed state of public feeling in
this city was aggravated this evening by the
action of the Board of Election Commis-
sioners, which is controlled by democrats,
in removing eighty-seven republican officers
and substituting for them names submitted
by men, who, it is claimed by the regular
republican organization. do not represent
the party. While the commissioners acted
within their technical rights the removals
may be the cause of trouble tomorrow. The
expectation that the governor will call out
the militia during the day finds expression
among men of both parties. The provocation
may occur through attempts OF the deposed
election officers to hold their places or
through conflicts with the police in some of
the downtown wards.
If the military is called out, it will re-
suit in the closing of the polls by the local
election officers on the ground that the
presence of soldiers prevented a free eX-
preston of opinion, or it may result in the
throwing out Of the vote OF Jefferson county
In either event the counting or throwing |
out of the Louisville vote very likely would |
determine the resul. of the election.
1t Is announced tonight that the Legion |
has been ordered to report at the armory at |
6 o'clock tomorrow morning to be ready in
case Of emergency. simultaneously came the
that the police force of 300 .
men under J. B. Castleman has besn sworn
In. The city authorities evidently intend to !
stand upon the ground that in case of trouble .
they are prepared to take any necessary
measures to preserve order and that under
these circumstances there can be no occasion
Tor the calling out of state troops. Governor
Bradley, it 10 reasonably certain, will not
acquiesce in this view and conflict of au-
,hority is possible.
Ex-senator Blackburn, chairman of the
campaign committee, has sent
'ut general telegram notifying the chair
men of the various county committees of
he step taken by Governor Bradley The
elegram is:
DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS, Nov.
Governor Bradley is in Louisville and has
published a letter saying that he will re-
nain there today as chief peace officer of
he state and will take charge of the cleo
ion and see that the same is properly held
lie has the military ready supplied with
ifes, ammunition and Calling guns. 1t
ooks as though by his intermedding that
lie may make trouble today in Louisville
~. G. S. BLACKBURN,
Chairman State Democratic Campaign
Committee"