The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-11
ONLY PRESERVED THE PEACE
HIS ACTS TO THAT END WITHIN HIS
RIGHTS IN THE LAW.
Senatorial Fight i'm Nebraska Wakes
Hot, with Allen and Hitchcock as
the Leading FavOrites.

cided that they possessed no power to go
behind the returns, have seen fit to ex-
press their serious disapprobation Of my
conduct in calling out the State Guard. 1t
is a source of profound regret that these
gentlemen did not approve my course, for
nothing is to be so much desired as their
approval. Not contenting themselves with
an expression of disapproval, however,
they characterize my conduct as repre-
hensible, and yet they say that they should
not form opinions and have not the right
to form them on ex parte affidavits. Either
these gentlemen formed their opinion on
ex parte affidavits or, what Is worse, on
the reports of a partisan press. Agreeing
with the board that they could not go be-
hind the returns in certifying the result,
no effort was made to present the facts
concerning the calling out of the State
Guard. But as they have seen proper to
overstep their duties in order to express
condemnation 1 will now give to the public
the facts of the case.
I'm the first place, L did not equip the
Legion in order that they should be used
in the election, as reported. After the three
State Guard regiments enlisted in the gov
eminent service l took steps to reorganize
it, knowing that the services of troops
might possibly be needed at any moment
to protect the public peace. A company
was formed in Louisville, but as they
could not obtain an armory they were
finally discharged. Upon the return of the
Legion from Porto Rico steps were taken
to reorganize it in the state service. There
were many delays unnecessary to mention.
but finally eight companies were raised
and mustered in. This was more than
three months before the election. The
week before the election they succeeded
in securing an armory, upon the notice of
which equipment was sent to them.
1.-The statement that l went to Louis
Vile to call out the guard was and is
maliciously false. Appointments were
made for me to speak at three places in
the city on Saturday night before the cleo
ton, and L went there to ill them. After
having spoken a number of the citizens
asked me to remain over and speak at the
Auditorium on Monday night, which l
agreed to do, and the fact was announced.
Meanwhile, before Monday night the press
of the city showed very great bitterness
and excitement. The mayor issued
proclamation, saying bloodshed was APP
pretended, and extra police were APP
pointed. On Monday some eighty-seven
election officers were summarily removed,
anu this added greatly to the intense ex-
element already prevailing.
AFFIDAvITS FILED.
1.-THE affidavits of John 1. Galloway, John
c. Miller, Z. l.. Mcdonald, Robert Cochran.
Allen r. Carter, Charles l. Stewart Rich
ard w. Knott and John q. Baskin were
filed with me, in which it &as stated that,
on account Of the excited condition of the
public mind. the general opinion that a fair
election would not be given, and the gen.
eral impression that the free exercise of
the right of franchise would be interrupted
by force and fraud, they verify believed
there was great danger that many breaches
of the peace, riots and disturbances would
occur on the day of election. They believed
that, in order to preserve the peace, secure
the rights, lives ana property of the citi-
zens, II 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
deemed necessary to prevent such dangers.
ION the filing OF these affidavits an order
was issued to Colonel Charles c. Mengel 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 properly of the citi-
tents OF Louisville. He vas ordered to ex-
ercise great caution anL do nothing that
the exigencies of the occa sion did not alb
solutely require. That he should permit the
troops to use only their edged or pointed
weapons to repel violence, unless attacks
should be made upon them endangering
life. That II the troops could not be placed
between the rioters and the persons or
property which they were intending to at
tack, and the illegal purpose of the riot be
persisted In by means dangerous to the
lives or property of others, he might order
the troops 10 dispense the rioters by first
using the bayonet and sword, and If they
should prove Intellectual. but not otherwise,
he might then allow them to discharge
their weapons. That before using any force
he should command the rioters in the name
or the commonwealth to dispense. This or
der was given in writing. Later IL was SUM-
planted by an oral order that the troops
were to be kept in the arnory and not al
lowed TO go upon the street or about the
polling places except such as desired to
vote, and they were to go in citizens
clothes and without guns in such numbers
as he thought best, only few at a time.
under these orders the soldiers were as
sembled. and not one of them went to any
polling place in the city in uniform
ABOUT 90 o clock p. m, after the polls
were closed Judge Toneys communication
was handed TO me, in which I was in
formed that he had issued an order COM
handing the election officers to admit the
Brown Democrat and the Republican in
spectors TO witness and inspect the count.
and these orders were being contemptuous-
ly ignored, and calling my attention to his
inability to enforce the orders, so that I
might take proper action. On receipt of
this communication / ordered out the
troops to enforce the orders of Jude Tcney
but owing to delays and MISUNDERSTANDING
they did not leave the armory until after 7
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. 1t is proper
to add that after the troops We're ordered
into the armory / declined TO speak at the
Auditorium and the appointment was filled
by Mr.. Wilson
THE CONVICTION MATTER.
'.As to the Covington matter statements
were sent to me, signed by some $50 citi-
zens. representing that IL was necessary
for the safety and welfare of the State.
and to avert threatened domestic violence
and other dangers TO the public interest, TO
employ military force in aid of the civil
power in preserving the peace. and secur-
ing rights, property and lives of the citi-
zens. There was high state OF public feel
ing aroused by well-grounded apprehension
of fraud, force and other lawlessness on the
next day Nov. . and imminent danger OF
serious breach of the peace, destruction
of property and loss of human life; that
the local civil authorities would not exer-
else their power TO preserve order and Sc
cure a fair election. but were in a con-
spiracy to prevent such election and thus