The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-08
TROOPS CALLED OUT.
Ordered to the Louisville Polls to En-
force a Decree of Court.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Nov. 7.-At o'clock
this evening Col. c. C. Mengel received or
ders from Governor Bradley TO send to the
polls at once the Louisville legion, which
had been under arms at it's armory all day
in readiness for call. Up to this time the
election had been one of the quietest ever
known here. The balloting proceeded all
day without any disorder. A few arrests
for alleged interference with voters were
made, but there was less than the usual
amount of friction between the workers for
the respective candidates. When the polls
closed at o'clock the inspectors represent
ing the interests of the Brown ticket ap-
peared and demanded admittance to watch
the count. This was done under manda-
tory injunction issued by Judge Toney, of
the Circuit Court, shortly before noon, re-
strainng the city authorities and officers of
election from interfering with the Brown
inspectors. About the middle Of the aftec-
noon the Republicans received a similar or
der for their inspectors. on representations
that they were threatened with interfer-
ence. In a number of places the inspectors
were refused recognition and Governor
Bradley's order for troops to go to the polls
was made on a statement by Judge Toney
reciting this state of affairs. Judge Toney's
letter to Governor Bradley follows:
''Sir-Two mandatory injunctions were to-
day issued by me, as one OF the judges Of
the Jefferson Circuit Court, requiring cleo
ton officers at the election precincts to al
low the inspectors for the Brown and Re-
publican tickets entrance TO the voting pre-
cincts to witness and inspect the count 1t
has been represented to me that these in
functions are being contemptuously ignored
and violated. 1 have issued the decree on
officer and cannot enforce it. j call your
attention TO this fact as chief executive of
the State, that you may take such action to
see that the laws are executed as you may
deem proper under the circumstances"
The men were ready and within a few
minutes began to form about the armory.
Belts were loaded up with ball cartridges
and every man had his bayonet fixed. Col.
Mengel, who was in uniform for the first
time since the regiment was placed in readi-
ness for a call, assumed command.
AS soon as the order became known Sher-
iff Bell hastened to the armory and protest
ed against the calling out Of the troops on
the ground that there had been no disorder
and no trouble, and that there was no occa-
sion for action by the State authorities:
that Judge Toney had not made any rep
resentations to him, the sheriff, as peace
officer of the county; that there had not
been any interference with his order.
Colonel Mengel replied that he was acting
under instructions from Governor Bradley.
Shortly after Z o'clock orders to march
were given. Companies B. c and D swung
into Main street and started on the double
quick for the lower quarters Of the city i'm
the West End. They visited polling places
en- route and inquired into the treatment of
representatives of all the parties. Every
thing was found quiet. however, and the
bluecoats were marched back to headquar-
ters. The only excitement noticeable was
that occasioned by their presence. Mean
while the count was proceeding In all the
voting places of the city.