The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-07
WILL HE CALL OUT THE MILITIA?
Men of Both Parties Expect This and it May Result Either
in Closing the Polls or Throwing Out the Vote.
Counting or Throwing Out This Vote Will
Doubtless Determine the Election.
Disorder Feared in Ohio.
Injections in Twelve
States,
States.

Louisville, hy., NOV. O.-GoVeFhor
Bradley, in his capacity as commander
in-chief of the State National Guard, is
the central figure in the political situa-
tion tonight The Governor believes the
situation to be so serious that he will
not go to his home at Lancaster, only
about hundred miles from Louisville,
to cast his vote tomorrow. A report
was current tonight that all of the COM
panies of the Louisville Legion, the local
military organization. had been ordered
TO report for duty at 6 o'clock tomorrow
morning. The report could not be con-
frmed, and there was no unusual ac
tiyity among members of the regiment,
but the rumor is given significance from
the fact that Governor Bradley posi-
lively refused to confirm or deny it, or
to say what his plans are, beyond an
expression contained in a letter which he
made public tonight. The Governor was
expected to address a meeting at the
auditorium tonight, but changed his
mind, giving out the following in ex-
pplanation of his refusal to attend:
.Hon. A. e. Willson:
Wy OtdI kSii. Ill view III llt 1ulSHSt
public excitement now prevailing in this
city, and the fact that numerous affida-
wits of good citizens have been filed
with me showing that there is grave
danger Of riot and bloodshed, and that
citizens will be prevented by force and
fraud from exercising their right OF
suffrage in this city tomorrow, and in
view of the further fact that / have
been called upon to act as chief peace
officer of the commonwealth, / have
concluded that it would be improper for
me to deliver an address this evening.
Il will thank you to assure those who
may kindly honor me by their presence
that / will remain in the city and see
that every voter, irrespective of political
opinion, is protected in his right to vote
and have his vote counted and the public
peace protected at all hazards.
Il do not intend to surround the polls
with bayonets or intimidate voters. /
do intend that they shall not be intimi-
dated and will act promptly should neces-
sity arise. Yours,
"W. @. BRADLEY"
The disturbed state of political feeling
in this city was aggravated this evening
by the action of the Board of Election
Commissioners, which is controlled by
Democrats, in removing 81 Republican
election officers and substituting for
them names submitted by men, who it is
claimed, by the regular Republican Or
ganization, 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 ex-
preston among men of both parties.
The provocation may occur through at
tempts of the deposed election officers
to hold their places or through conflicts
with the police in some of the down
town wards. If the militia is called out
it may result in the closing of the polls
by the local election officers on the
ground that the presence of soldiers pre-
vents a free expression of popular will.
Or. if the polls remain open, it may re-
suit in action by the State election off
GERS. throwing out the vote of Jefferson
county on the same ground of military
interference In either event the count
ing or throwing out of the Louisville
vote very likely would determine the re-
suit of the election.
Late tonight the rumor that the Lee
gion has been ordered to report at the
arIlory at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning
to be ready in case of an emergency
was confirmed. Simultaneously came the
announcement that an extra police force
Of 300 men under Colonel j. +. Castle
man has been sworn in. The city au-
thorites 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 un-
der these circumstances there can be no
occasion for the calling out of State
troops. Governor Bradley, it IS rea-
sonably cert2in, will nor acGuiesce in
this view, afd conflict of authority is
possible.
Elk Senator Blackburn, Chairman of
the Democratic campaign committee, has
sent out general telegram notifying
the chairman of the various county
commissions of the step taken by Gov
ernor Bradley. The telegram is as fo-
lows:
Democratic Headquarters, November
7th.-Governor Bradley is in Louisville
and has published a letter saying that
he would remain there today as chief
peace officer of the State, and would
take charge Of the election and see that
the same be properly held. He has mill.