The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-11
BRADLEY DEFENDS
CALLING OF TROOPS
Said 1t Was Necessary to Protect the
Lives and Property OF the
People OF Louisville.

Frankfort, KY, Dec. 10.--Governor
Bradley gave out lengthy statement
tonight in which he says:
The state board of election commits
sioners, after having expressly stated
that they possessed no power to go be-
hind the returns, has seen fit to ex-
press serious disapprobation of my con-
duct in calling out the state guard. 1t
Is source of profound regret that
these gentlemen do not approve my
course, for nothing is to be SO much
desired as their approval. Not con-
tenting themselves with an expression
of disapproVal, however, they charac-
terize my conduct as reprehensible, and
yet they say that they should not form
opinions, and have not the right to
form them on eX parte atfidavits. Eth
er these gentlemen formed their opin-
ion on eX parte affidavts, or what is
worse, the reports of a partisan press,
agreeing with the board that they
could not go behind the returns in GER
tifying the result but no efforts were
made to present the facts concerning
calling out of the state guard But as
they have seen proper to overstep their
duties in order to express condemna-
ton. | will now give to the public the
facts in the case.
Governor Bradley goes on to say that
he did not equip the legion in order
that they should be used in this cleo
ton, but that several companies had
been organized and equipped months
before the election. One, the legion, or
lst Kentucky regiment. had been un-
able to obtain an armory until one
week before election, and for that rea-
son they were not furnished equipment
until that time.
THE statement that I went to Louis
vile to call out the guard" says Gov
ernor Bradley, was and is a malicious
falsehood. Appointments were made
sneak thrRa nIaceS
city on Saturday night before the cleo
ton, and / went there to fill them. At
ter having spoken a number of the cit
liens asked me to remain over ana
speak at the Auditorium on Monday
night, which | agreed to do, and the
fact was announced.
Meanwhile. before Monday night, the
press of the city showed very great bit
terness and excitement. The mayor is
sued a proclamation saying bloodshed
was apprehended and extra police were
appointed. On Monday some so election
officers We're summarily relieved, and
this added greatly to the intense excite
ment already prevailing"
Governor Bradley says that he only
ordered troops to assemble in Louisville
and later at Covington, after attidaVitS
had been presented to him by citizens
stating that soldiers We're necessary to
help the civil authorities maintain Or
of the people. In Louisville the troops
We're not permitted to 90 to the polls
except after they had closed them only
when Judge Toney informed him that
his orders admitting republican inspect
ors to witness the count had been con-
temptuously ignored.
II ordered 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 polling place in the city had been
deserted and in no instance did they
use any force or intimidate any human
being"
I'm no instance concluded he, did
I order the election TO be interfered
with. or soldiers to be sent to the polls,
but gave only such orders as was neces-
sary to preserve the public peace and
the lives and property of the citizens