The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-05

(CoNCLUnEp PROM FIRsT PACED

Vile, and this fact was made known
early in to-day's conference. 1t was stated
by members OF the Legislature present that
threats had been made at Frankfort by
persons connected with Governor Taylors
administration that Democratic members
of the Legislature would be arrested IL
that step was necessary to secure their at
tendance upon the session OF the LegiSla-
ture called by the Republican Governor to
meet at London, KY, next Tuesday. These
members asserted they had been warned
not to return to Frankfort. Enough of
the Democratic members of each house
will be here tomorrow, Ii is asserted, by
the Democratic managers, to form quo
rum. No legislation will be attempted.
but an adjournment from day TO day will
be held pending a settlement OF the legal
questions involved in the present dispute
between the parties.
These points having been determined, the
matter of protection against possible ag-
gressive action by the Republican admins
tration was taken up. 1t was declared TO
be the purpose of the Democrats to do
nothing that would tend to provoke a con-
fiict or TO indicate that ii was their inten-
ton to forcibly antagoniZe Governor Tay-
lors administration. Measures to protect
the Democratic Legislators and State Of
ficers, however. were thought to be neces-
Sary.
General Castleman had already communi-
Gated to Mr. Beckham his acceptance of
the position of adjutant general. to which
he was appointed last night by the Demo-
part in the discussion of this phase of the
plans, and 1t is said ample arrangements
were made to protect the members of the
Democratic administration from moesta-
tion by Governor Taylor's forces. Whether
or not this is to be done through the or
ganization of another State Guard has not
been made clear. 1t is thought, however.
that the main reliance of the Democrats
will be placed at least for the present in
the police force of the city and the con-
stabulaiy of the county.
The mayor and city officers and the sher-
if of the county are Democrats and will
undoubtedly recognize Beckham as Cover
nor. The number of men at their command
is considerable and, the ample arrange
ments mentioned as having been made are
believed to be in the direction of strength
ening this force. This plan found favor
because ii was believed to be in line with
the announcement thar any measures look
ing to the use of any armed force were to
be purely defensive. Another consideration
i'm this connection was the fear expressed
by some of the Democratic leaders that
Governor Taylor might seek to interfere
with the session of the State Board or
Election Commissioners, which has been
set for next Tuesday at Frankfort.
This board has before 1t the con-
tests for minor state offices In the
event of interference, this board would
probably adjourn to meet in LOUISVILLE. III
the decision of this board should be In
favor of the Democratic contestants, its
action would have an important bearing on
the conflict between the rival GOVSrnOrS.
About eighty of the one hundred and nine
teen counties of the State have Demo-
cratic officials who the Democrats believe
would recognize the Democratic auditor
and treasurer, and would not transact bust
ness with the Republican incumbents OF
those offices at Frankfort. This would in
volve the control of the State revenues,
which come TO the State officers through
the sheriffs, the circuit clerks and the
county clerks. This matter affects the, dis
posal of thousands of dollars of State funds
and would bring into the already tangled
state of affairs no end of new complica-
tiOns.
The funeral of Mr.. Goebel may cause
some delay in the proceedings of the con-
test board, but decision from 1t Is ex-
pected before the end of the week.
Senator-elect Blackburn did not take
| part in to-days conferences in this city,
having remained in Frankfort to look out
for his partys interests there
Mr.. Beckham tonight denied himself to
all callers save the closest adherents Of
his administration.
Several Republican leaders were in town
to-day, among them some members or the
Legislature, but they knew nothing of what
the Democrats were doing and held no
conferences among themselves so far as
known,