The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-31

The attempted assassination of Senator
Goebel to-day precluded the advisability of
a sitting of the contest boards this after
noon, but at o'clock the boards met in
the City Hall, being kept out of the Capt.
tol buildings by the militia. 1t was a sol
emn assemblage of men who composed the
gathering. Mr.. Edelen, one of Governor
Taylor's counsel, said that it would be idle
to argue the case, in view of the state of
mind generally prevalent. He asked for
a postponement, but after several discus
sions it was agreed that argument should
be dispensed with. and the boards decided
to meet at o'clock tonight and receive
the authorities cited by either side, and
then enter on the consideration of the ver-
dict.
Mr. Edelen and Col. W. c. p. Breckin-
ridge were the only attorneys of Governor
Taylor present. Mr.. Edelen said he asked
for a postponement his own responsi-
bility, not having had time to confer with
his colleagues. Col. Bennett III. Young,
for the contestants, followed Mr.. Edelen
and said the contestants waived the right
of argument and would make none. Colonel
Breckenridge said that he had addressed
communication TO the chairmen of the
two boards setting forth reasons why the
argument should not proceed. He said
that the lives of the attorneys for Cover
nor Taylor had been threatened.
II have no fear for my personal safety"
said Colonel Breckenridge. ct have felt
that l should be here and no threats can
| deter me from what regard as my duty.
| These threats, however, came from
Grafton. The rest of the counsel agreed
| not to appear at the meeting. The das-
| tardly crime committed to-day might be
| repeated under cover of darkness" Mr..
Edelen stated that he entertained no fears
| for his personal safety.
! Chairman Hickman responded that he
| thought the attorneys were perfectly safe
MEMBERS WE'RE SUBDUED.
Mr.. Lilly, the Republican member of the
| lieutenant gubernatorial board, addressed
| the boards. He said:
mo heart is more panied than mine
| over the occurrences of to-day. want to
| say that my mind is made up in this case
and ten years Of argument could not
| change it. Assassination is crime of the
most heinous character and / can, under
| no circumstances, fail to express the utter
most contempt for its perpetrator and in
stigator. All political debates arouse pas
sion. 1 feel It myself and so does each
| of you. Nothing that could be said would
| have a good influence" Senator Allen
| pem.) followed Mr.. Lilly. He said he had
not made up his mind, and had depended
on the argument for his opinion. He was
| in doubt, he said, as to the law involved.
He said he wanted legal authority as to
military interference and irregular ballots.
] On his motion the boards agreed to con-
slider the authorities cited by counsel. Only
| a few members of the Legislature at
tended the meeting of the boards tonight
| The events of the day had so absorbed
attention that but few outside the board
| knew when where they were to meet.
Every face portrayed the emotions that
the crime OF the day had aroused. All were
calm and unimpassioned and there ap-
peared no disposition to indulge in the Gus
tomary squabbles. The speeches that were
| made were in subdued tones, indicating
| the deepest appreciation of what had hap
| pened and of the impending disturbances.
| The following report was made out late
| tonight by a majority of the contest
board. The minority reports will be drawn
! up tomorrow:
"The undersigned, the board appointed
and selected by the General Assembly to
determine the contested election for the
office of Governor for this commonwealth
| between William Goebel, contestant, and
| William S. Taylor, contestee, beg leave to
| report that we have heard all the evil
| dence offered by both parties and We now
| respectfully report to the General As
sembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
that, in our opinion, William Goebel was
| legally elected Governor of the common
| wealth of Kentucky on the 7th day of
| November, 1899, and that he then and there
| received the highest number of legal
/ votes cast for any one for the office of
| Governor of Kentucky at said election. and
we therefore respectfully suggest that this
report be approved, and a resolution
adopted by this joint assembly declaring
the said William Goebel Governor-elect of
the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the
| term commencing the 18th day Of Decem-
| Der, 1899.
1--WE decide that the said William Goebel
| has received the highest number of legal
votes and is adjudged to be the person
elected to said Office of Governor for the
| term prescribed by law"
| Signed by all the members of the board
with the exception of Representative Gar
| berry
The report in the case of the contest for
lieutenant governor is identical. with the
| exception of the names, that of j. Grips
| Beckham taking the place of William
Goebel, and John Marshall being substi-
| tuted for William S. Taylor.
| A clash between the members of the Leg
| islature and the military was narrowly
| averted tonight. The rumor was carried
! to the Office of the adjutant general that
| the Democratic members o. the Legislature
| had decided to hold night session in the
| opera house, receive the report of the con-
| testing board declare Goebel Governor and
| seize the State government. No such thing
was contemplated, although it had been
| discussed When the word was received by
| the militia officers it was determined to
break up the meeting. The assembly was
sounded and the troops formed for march
| TO the opera houce. They had passed
| through the gate of the Capitol grounds
| wher. word was brought that no meeting
was to be held and the soldiers returned TO
| their quarters.
WILL DECLARE MARTIAL LAW.
LEGISLATURE May BE stopped IL 1t Tries
4 AI.eu