The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-10
DEMOCRATS HAVE A QUORUM.
Rival Legislature Begins business
Beckham VIII Not Permit Arrests.

-
LOUISVILLE, KY, Feb. 9.-The Demo-
cratic Legislature met here to-day. having
present in each house a quorum or the
total membership. Governor Beckham
made the announcement this afternoon
mat he is prepared TO protect the legis-
lators from arrest and that he will do so.
The developments of to-day mark the
FIRST steps toward carrying out the plans
announced on Sunday last by the Demo-
Gratis to set US a state government here
Some commotion was caused among the
legislators this morning by reports from
London and Frankfort that warrants were
about to be sworn out for the arrest OF
enough Democratic members TO make
quorum for the Republican Legislature
now meeting in London. When told OF this
Mr.. Beckhsm said:
mo member of the Legislature who
who comes to Louisville need fear arrest.
/ shall not allow any member of the Cen
eral Assembly to be arrested"
When asked what measures would be
adopted TO prevent such arrests, should
they be attempted Mr.. Beckham replied
that he was fully prepared to protect the
Legislature and to arrest any persons who
interfered with it's members. Further than
this he would make no statement. 1t is
known, however. that since the appoint
ment of General Castleman as adjutant
general, arrangements have been made to
provide a defensive force. ample for the
safety OF the Democratic state officers.
The legislative sessions to-day were held
sn the courthouse. the Senate meeting in
the Chancery Court room and the House
I'm the County Court room. Fifty senator's.
one more than a quorum, were present
when M Carter called that body to order.
Regular business was taken up where 1t
was dropped at Frankfort. Resolutions
from the General Assembly of Texas, in
memory of Mr.. Goebel, were read. and an
appropriate response was made. Resolu-
lions on the death Of Mr.. Goebel were
then adopted and. in respect TO his mem
DRY. the Senate adjourned until to-mor-
row.
Two sessions of the House were held
during the day without a quorum. In the
evening, however. fifty-three members,
two more than necessary. responded to
lutions OF sympathy were read and a
committee was appointed TO draw UP reso-
lutions on the death of Mr.. Goebel- A reso-
luton was ADOPTED instructing the SER
geant-at-arms 10 order absent members to
report here at once. after which the House
adjourned until tomorrow.
ne events OF the past ten Gays nave
served to solidify the Democratic forces
in the Legislature and to strengthen the
party's position there. Among the MEM
bers who answered TO their names to-day
were number who have been classed as
anti-Goebel men and who, on several no
litical issues. have voted with the Repuh-
leans
Judge Alex. p. Humphrey one of the
leading lawyers of Louisville. said. this
morning, that any arrests of legislators
would be Illegal and that habeas corpus
proceedings would certainly result i'm the
release of the arrested members. Many
people, including some members OF the
Legislature. he said, had confused the
Constitution of the United States with
that OF Kentucky. The Constitution of the
United States gives minority of the
members OF the House the power TO arrest
absent members and to punish them for
not attending. The Constitution of Ken
lucky Is altogether different. 1t empowers
the Legislature to arrest absent members
when a quorum cannot be obtained by
other means and to punish them, providing
law shall have been passed by the Leg
fslature making provision for such pro-
ceedings. Since the adoption of the new
Constitution no such law has been passed.
To pass one would require the presence of
a quorum OF both houses for two or three
weeks