The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-11
WILL NOT GO TO FRANKFORT.
Democrats Decide to Remain Il
Louisville for the Present.


Louisville for the Present.
LOUISVILLE, KY. Feb. 1o.-The collapse
of the peace negotiations through Governor
Taylor's rejection of the Louisville agree
ment and the latters action in calling off
the London Legislature and partly with
drawing the troops have left the fight over
State offices divested of many of it's war
like features. but in a worse legal tangle
than ever.
The receipt Of the news from Frankfort
this afternoon was followed Immediately
by a gathering of the Democratic leaders
at the Willard Hotel. At this conference
were Senator Blackburn, Governor Beck
ham. General Castleman, President Carter
of the Senate, Speaker Trimble and others.
At its conclusion Mr.. Beckham sent to the
Legislature message reciting the failure
tions existing at Frankfort as seen by him,
and recommended that the Legislature con-
not guarantee their personal security nor
protect them from unwarranted interfer-
ence at Frankfort.
Acting on Mr.. Blackburn's suggestion,
the Legislature decided to remain in Louis
vile for the present, and both houses ad-
journed to meet at the courthouse Monday
at noon. 1t is probable joint resolution,
which was offered to-day, will then be
adopted calling for the appointment of
committee to investigate the conditions at
Frankfort as far as they affect the safety
of the legislators. The members do not
accept Governor Taylor's action in order
ing away part of ,he troops as restoring
a condition under which they may return
to the capital. They say they would feel
irresponsible armed mountaineers who for
weeks have been gathered about the State
buildings" lefc to menace them.
THE SITUATION.
The new alignment of the parties after
to-day's developments is about as follows:
The Republicans will stand on the legality
of Governor Taylor's proclamation ad-
iourning the Legislature to meet at Lon
don, and will hold to be illegal all acts of
the Democratic legislators since the date
of that proclamation, chief among which
are the adoption of the reports OF the con-
test boards and the declaration of the cleo
ton of Mr. Goebel and Mr.. Beckham. If
the Democratic legislators go back to
Frankfort the Republicans will insist that
John Marshall and not L. III. Carter Is
lieutenant governor and president of the
Senate They are free to take the matter
of the governorship to the federal courts
If they can make a case In which such an
appeal will lie. If the Democrats refuse to
return to Frankfort they may attempt TO
enforce the attendance of absentees.
though this would be treading on shaky
legal grounds. Meanwhile they will press
the suit before Judge Taft, involving the
minor state Offices.
The Democrats will dispute the legality
of Governor Taylor's proclamations ad-
journing the Legislature to London and
back again TO Frankfort. They viii, con-
tend that the Legislature was dispersed by
soldiers and adjourned to Louisville by its
own action in adopting with a working
quorum concurrent resolution to that ef-
feet; that its acts have been legal, includ-
ing that by which Goebel was declared
Governor; that by another concurrent reso-
luton 1t may return to Frankfort when
conditions warrant, as il is the only au-
thority by which its sessions may be trans
ferred from one place to another; that un-
der the law the Legislature is the court Of
last resort in a contest for the offices OF
Governor and lieutenant governor. Mean
while Beckham will be recognized by this
Legislature as the legal Governor. The po-
sitions are irreconcilable. and while they
are maintained a clash can only be de-
ferred.
BECKHAM'S MESSAGE.
The Democratic Legislature had two ses-
sions to-day. with quorum in each house.
At the first some minor legislative business
was disposed of. At the second Mr.. Beck
hams message was read. 1t was dated
Commonwealth Of Kentucky. Executive
Office, Louisville. KY, Feb. TO-" 1t follows:
Gentlemen of the General Assembly: /
desire to inform you as to the result OF the
attempt to settle the present unfortunate
state Of affairs in the commonwealth by
means OF an agreement adopted by con-
ference Of representatives Of both parties
In this city last Monday night We earnest-
ly hoped that BY this agreement the diM-
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