The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-12-11
BRADLEY GIVES
OUT A STATEMENT
Explains Why the Military Was
Ordered Out,
THE CITIZENS ASKED IT
He Says That Many Affidavits Were
Filed With Him Stating That
Many Breaches ofPeaoe
Were Feared
THE CITIZENS ASKED 1T

Nfl0 ti6CliOl commissioners III tnS1r
He accuses the commissioners of making
their statement on ex-paute evidence and
says they oyerstepped their duties in dis
cussing his conduct.
Governor Bradley denied that the legion
was equipped in order that it might be
used in the election, and tells at length
of the reorganization of the state militia
after the Spanish war. He continues:
1.-The statement that 1 went to Louisville
to call out the guard was and is maliciously
| false. Appointments were made for me to
| speak at three places in the city Satur-
day night before the election, and l went
| there to fill them. After having spoken
number of the citizens asked me to remain
over and speak at the auditorium on Mon
| day might, which I agreed to do, and the
| fact was announced.
Meanwhile, before Monday night, the
press of the city showed very great bitter
ness and excitement. The mayor issued a
| proclamation saying bloodshed was appre-
hended, and extra police were appointed.
On Monday some e.ghty-seven election Off
| GERS were summarily removed, and this
added greatly to the intense excitement
already prevailing. Affidavfts were filed
with me in which it was stated that on ac-
count of the excited condition of the pub
lie mind, fair election would not be given
and thht free exercise of the right of fran
chse would be interrupted by force and
fraud.
About the Amdavits
"Ihey verify believed that there was
great danger, that many breaches of the
peace riots and disturbances would occur
on the. day of the election. They believed
that in order to preserve the peace, secure
the rights lives and property of the citi-
zens, it would be necessary to strengthen
the civil authorities by the employment of
military force by ordering into service so
much of the state guard as might be deem
ed necessary to prevent such dangers. In
this connection they referred to the pro-
clamation of the mayor. The afidavits fur
Their stated That atlantis believed that the
military force could not be safely placed
under the command, charge or direction of
the mayor, the sheriff or jailer Of the coun-
ty, or chief of police. On the filing of these
affidavts an order was issued to Colonel
Charles G. Mensel to assemble the state
guards in the city of Louisville at the
armory by o'clock a. m. the next day, and
hold them in readiness to protect the lives
and property of the citizens of Louisville.
He was ordered to exercise great caution
and do nothing that the exigencies of the
occasion did not absolutely require"
Governor Bradley then tells of the pre-
cautionary orders given the troops and con-
tinued:
.'About $50 o'clock p. M, after the polls
were closed Judge Toney's communication
was handed to me, in which l was informed
that he had issued an order commanding
the election officers to admit the Brown
and republican inspectors to witness and In
spect the count, and these orders Were be-
ing contemptuously ignored, and calling my
attention to his inability to enforce the or
ders. so that might take proper action.
"On receipt of this communication 1 or
dered out the troops to enforce the orders
of Judge Toney, but owing to delays and
MISUNDERSTANDING, they did not leave the
armory until after o'clock.
.When they did leave, nearly every poll
ing place in the city had been deserted and
in no instance did they use any force or
intimidate any human being. This was not
the first time that troops have been ordered
into the armory at Louisville and remained
there ON election day"
Similar Action at Covington
The governor says exactly similar action
was taken at Covington. Statements were
| sent to him signed by some three hundred
| citizens, representing that 1t was necessary
for the safety and welfare of the state and
to avert threatened domestic violence and
other dangers to the public interest, to en-
ploy military force in aid of the civil power
in preserving the peace and securing the
rights, property and lives of the citizens
Governor Bradley concludes:
ut will be seen that in no instance did 1
order the election to be interfered with or
soldiers to be sent to the polls, but gave
only such orders as was necessary to pre-
serve the public peace, and the lives and
| property of the citizens. There is no rea-
son that life and property should not be
protected on election day as well as on any
| other day in the year. That troops may not
be used to drive men from the polls, who
are exercising their rights of suffrage. will
not be denied, but that they may be used
| to prevent bloodshed, riot and intimidation
| is equally true.
an the quotation from Mr.. Cooley by the
| commissioners it is said 1T is consequently
! of the highest Importance that the presence
of military at the polls be not suffered ex-
| cept in serious emergencies, when disorders
| exist or are threatened for the suppression
| or prevention of which the ordinary peace
| force is insufficient
at WILDE observed that no soldiers were
| present at the polls and even If they had
| been under the authority laid down by Mr.
| Cooley such presence would have been
| legal
THIRTY-TWO DEAD