New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
For the Democratic party:
We approve the above:
February g. 1900.
BECKHAM ISSUES A PROCLAMATION TO
MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURES THERE
TEXT OF REJECTED AGREEMENT.

MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE THERE
TEXT OF REJECTED AGREEMENT
Louisville, Feb 10-The collapse OF the peace
negotiations through Governor Taylor's rejection
of the Louisville agreement and the latters ac-
ton in calling off the London meeting of the
Legislature and partially Withdrawing the
troops have left the fight over State officers di-
vested of many of its warlike features, but in a
worse legal tangle than ever.
The receipt of the news from Frankfort this
afternoon was followed Immediately by a gath
erlng of the Democratic leaders at the Willard
Hotel At this conference were Senator Black
burn ]. c. w Beckham, General Castleman,
President Carter, of the Senate, Speaker Trimble
and others. At its conclusion Mr.. Beckham
sent to the Legislature a message reciting the
failure Of the peace negotiations and the condi-
tions existing at Frankfort by him, and
recommending that the legislators continue their
sessions in Louisville. he could not guarantee
their personal security OF protect them from I'M
warranted interference at Frankfort.
Acting on this suggestion the members of the
Legislature decided to remain in Louisville for
the present and both houses adjourned to meet
at the Courthouse on Monday at noon. 1t is
probable Joint resolution, which offered
to-day, will then be adopted, calling for the ap-
pointment of a committee to investigate the
safety of the legislators. The members do not ac-
cept Governor Taylors action in ordering away
part Of the troops as restoring order under which
they may return to the capital. They say they
would feel safer with the militia there than with
the irresponsible armed mountaineers who for
weeks have been gathering about the State
buildings" left to menace them.
ATTITUDE OF BOTH PARTIES.
The new alignment of the parties after to-
days developments are follows: The Repub-
licans will stand on the legality of Governor
Taylor's proclamation adiourning the Legis-
lature to meet at London, and will hold to be il
legal all acts of the Democratic members of the
Legislature since the date of that proclamation,
chief among which the adoption Of the re-
ports of the contest boards and the declaration
Of the election of Goebel Governor and Beck
ham as Lieutenant Governor. If the Democratic
legislators go back to Frankfort the Republi-
will insist that John Marshall, and not L.
H. Carter, is Northumberland and President
Of the Senate. They free to take the matter
Of the Governorship to the Federal Courts If
they make a case in which such appeal
will lie. If the Democrats refuse to return to
Frankfort they may attempt TO force the attend
ance of absentees. Meanwhile they will press
the suit involving the minor State officers before
Judge Taft
The Democrats will dispute the legality of
Governor Taylors proclamation adjourning the
Legislature to London and back again to Frank
fort They will contend that the Legislature was
dispersed by soldiers and adjourned to Louisville
by it's own action in adopting with a working
quorum a concurrent resolution 10 that effect;
that its acts have been legal including that by
which Goebel declared Governor; that by
another concurrent resolution it may return to
Frankfort when conditions warrant. it is the
only authority by which it's sessions may be
transferred from place to another; that
under the law the Legislature is the court of
last resort in contest for the offices OF Gov
ernor and Lieutenant Governor. Meanwhile
Beckham will be recognized by this Legislature
as the legal Governor.
The positions irreconcilable and while
they are maintained clash can only be de
| ferred- The Democratic members of the Legis-
! ature held two sessions to-day, with a quorum
| in each house. AT the first minor legisa-
! tive business disposed Of. At the second
| Beckham's message was read, as follows:
BECKHAMS PROCLAMATION.
Commonwealth of Kentucky
! Executive Office
Louisville Feb 10, 1900
Gentlemen Of the General Assembly:
| l desire to inform you to the result Of the
attempt to settle the present unfortunate state
| of affairs in the Commonwealth by means Of
| an agreement adopted by conference of repre-
sentatives Of both parties in this city last Mon
day night We earnestly hoped that by this agree
ment the difficulties before US would be re-
moved and that peace and order would again
be established in the State. We have been
ready at all times that this matter should be
settled in conformity with that agreement.
But information has just reached that the
| Republican claimant to the office of Governor
has refused to sign that agreement, and
Sequently all negotiations in that line are now
at an end. We had been led to believe that
| the gentleman who now controls by armed
force the State departments at Frankfort would
abide by this agreement, and that your bodies
would again be permitted to meet in their
| spective halls peaceably and unmolested; but
| having been disappointed in this hope l desire
| TO recommend to you that you continue your
sessions for the present in the city of Louis
| Vile, where every protection be given your
members from any unlawful arrest other
| warranted interference with your proceedings
The Capitol buildings In Frankfort are now in
possession OF armed forces openly in defiance
OF law. held there by those who have no legal
rights to do so, and for that reason 1 could not
! guarantee to you that safety and protection
which you would need if in session there. AS
| the legally elected Governor of the Common
wealth of Kentucky, l promise you to use every
legal means in my power to restore as soon as
! possible order and peace at the State capital
that you may deem it advisab BILE you
| may adjourn your meetings to that place. Ask
/ ing your assistance and cooperation to bring
! as a recommendation for your action at pres
ent. J. w. c. BECKHAM,
GOYernor
The Senate at once adjourned until Monday.
In the House the following joint resolution was
offered and went over under the rules until
Monday:
Whereas. One w S. Taylor, who, without
right legal authority and in defiance of peace
and good order. has for several days past
rounded himself and the public buildings at
the seat OF government at Frankfort with
hordes OF iawless armed and organized militia
of the State and refused TO permit the General
Assembly and Court Of Appeals to meet at their
accustomed and regular places Of sitting has
tfiaIh