Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-02-02
6O[B[l TAXES The 0A1A..
Sworn il as Governor Of the State
Of Kentucky.
he ISSUES A PROCLAMATION.
Calls Upon All Good Citizens to Stand
Up for Law and Ordcr-Headquarter
In Capitol Hotel-says No InsurrectIon
Exists, 49,

EXlBt0.
Frankfort, KY, Feb. AT 9 o'clock
Wednesday night William Goebel was
declared by the democratic members of
the legislature to be the governor of
kentucky, and was sworn in as such.
When the members of the legislature
found they could not meet anywhere
withoutlt the interference of the militia,
the papers necessary to be passed by
the joint assembly were prepared, and
the democratic members signed them.
This course was advised at consulta-
ton of leading democratic attorneys.
The papers signed set forth the reasons
for the unusual course of procedure.
AS soon as possible after the sigma
lures of the democratic member of the
general assembly were attached to the
documents, Speaker Trimble of the
house, Chairman Hickman of the guber-
material contest committee, Chief JUS
tice Hazelrigg and one or two leading
democrats proceeded to the chamber
where their leader lay on what is
thought to be his death bed. After con-
sultating with the physicians in at.
tendance the party entered the room.
Mr.. Goebel was raised up in bed and
the chief Justice administered the oath
of office in the briefest form consistent
with legality. After taking the oath
Mr.. Goebel sank back on the pillow
with a smile of complete satisfaction
on his face. 49, =" asa,
Immediately after the swearing in of
Goebel as governor, ]. c. W. Beckham
took the oath as lieutenant governor.
Proclamation Issued.
The following proclamation had been
prepared by Speaker Trimble and his
associates, and was Immediately signed
by Mr.. Goebel.
ITO the Citizens of the Common
wealth of Kentucky:.. On the 31st day
of January, 1900, at 1890, the hour to
which the house Of representatives had
adjourned, the members thereof at
tempted to assemble in the house in
the state capitol for the purpose of
performing the duties with which they
are charged under the laws of the COM
monwealth. At the entrance to the
house they were met by armed soldiers,
commanded by the adjutant general OF
the state, under the orders OF the act
ing governor, and the members OF the
house Of representatives were by your
soldiers not only refused admittance to
the house, but commanded to dispense
as an unlawful assemblage. Thereupon
your representatives attempted to meet
at other places within the city of
Frankfort, but were pursued by the SOL
diers and dispersed at the point of the
bayonet.
Deplores Taylor's Action.
Furthermore, as if these unwarrant-
ed acts, hitherto unheard of and with
out precedent under any form of gov
eminent, were not sufficient assump-
ton of tyrannical powers, notice was
then and there attempted to be served
upon your representatives by officers
that the acting governor had adjourned
the general assembly to meet in Lon
don, in remote mountain county in
the heart of that section of the state
notorious throughout the nation for it's
lawlessness, murderous feuds and as
sassins, where he and his predecessors
have repeatedly acknowledged their in
ability to enforce the law. This out
rageous usurpation Of power and au-
thority denied to the legally constitut-
ed chief executive of the common
wealth by the constitution, the acting
governor attempts to base upon an al
legged state of insurrection which he
without warrant Of fact declares to ex-
list throughout the state, and especially
in the vicinity of Frankfort.
Says No Insurrcctlon Exists.
"Now, therefore, we, the undersigned
representatives of Kentucky, do pro-
test to the people of the common
wealth: That no insurrection exists
or has existed in the vicinity of Frank
tort; that no dangers or indication of
dangers exist, except such as have
arisen from time to time from the pres
ence of hordes of armed men brought
here by the acting governor and his
colleagues for the purpose of provoking
resentment and counter demonstra-
lions on the part of the law-abiding
citizens of the state"
Call to Dispense Militia.
Mr.. Goebel signed another paper
which was addressed to the officers in
command of the troops here, and
called on them to dispense their men
at once. In the event the soldiers are
not disposed to obey the orders, it is
declared they would be compelled by
force.
Judge Cantrill Of the Franklin Cir
cult court was asked this morning for
a mandamus compelling Messrs. Tay-
lor and Marshall to vacate.
Lieut. Gov. Beckham is now acting
as governor, owing to Mr.. Goebels
condition. He has his headquarters
in the Capitol hotel, and will remain
there, he says, until he can get pos
session :sS. the executive building.