The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-02-14
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, IN KENTUCKY.
Governor Taylor Proclaimed a
State Of Rebellion and Ad..
journed the Legislature
GOBBEL TAKES THE Oath
Assuming Official Prerogatives He Is
sued an Order Calling On the
Militia to Disperse.

Governor TAYLOR Prevented the Legisla-
ture FROM Meeting-Thnt Body, How
ever, Met in Secret Session and De-
clared Goebel Elected Governor -
Chief Justice Administered the Oath
OF ohace-Lawmakers and Soldiers In
a Rsce-various Attempts OF the Leg
fsla.ors to Meet During the hay
Governor Tayior's Proclamation De-
clared That \ State Of Insurrection
Existed and Ordered the Legislature to
Meet In London. Little Town in the
Mountain District.
FRANKFORT, Ky. Especially William Goe.
bel was shortly before 9 o'clock P. m. We'd
pesday sworn In as Governor OF Kentucky
and J. C. W. Beckham few minutes later
took the oath OF Lisutenant-G Governor
The oath was administered TO both men by
Chief Justice Hazelrigg, OF the Court OF
Appeals.
Mr.. Goebel. as soon rs he was assured
that he was legally Governor OF Kentucky,
took prompt action regarding the military
nrm OF the service. Two orders were
quickly prepared for his signature, the
first of which discharged Adjutant-General
Daniel Collier from Office and appointed
General Job B. Castleman. OF Louisvlile,
as his successor. The second was directed
to the commanders OF the militia now sta
toned in this city, directing them TO re-
turn to their homes.
The plan to mako Goebel Governor was
set In motion early In the afternoon.
statement was prepared saying that the
boards which had heard the contests for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor had
decided in favor OF Goebel and Beckham,
and that the boards intended to report
their findings to the Legislature, but that
they had been prevented from 80 doing by
the action OF Governor Taylor In declaring
the Legislature adjourned:
The statement then goes on to say that
the members OF the Legislature were driven
from place to place by the militia and
threatened with arrest whenever they ut
tempted to hold a meeting. 1t was de-
clared the belief OF all the signers OF the
statement that Goebel and Beckham were
the legally elected Governor and Lieu.
tenant Governor, and each man, rs he
signed the paper, announced that he voted
for the adoption OF the majority report OF
the contest boards, which declared Goeoel
and Bechkam to be the men rightiully en-
titled to the Office. The statement Is
signel by Il majority OF the monbers OF
both houses.
Until this unexpected and unlooked-for
action the Republicans had the uppor hand
in tho fight. Governor Taylor ut 10 o'clock
a. m. issued the following proclamation:
'"ro the General Assembly OF the Common
wanlrh az Kentucky:
"Whereas, 4 state Of tnsurrection now
prevails In the State OF Kentucky, and es-
pecially in Frankfort, the capital thereof.
By virtue OF the authority vested In me BY
the Constitution OF Kentucky, do hereby
by this proclamation adjourn at once the
General Assembly OF the State OF Kentucky,
to meet Mt London, Laurel County. KY,
Tuesday, the 9Th dny OF February, l9Oo, at
II O'Clock.
Given under my hand at Frankfort, Ky,
this 3Oth day OF January, 1900, at o'clock
m. W. s. TAYLOR,
Governor OF Kentucky.
ssBy Caleb Powers, Secretary OF State. ;"
All day through the streets OF frankfort
soldiers marched aad countermarched.
Drills In the street were frequently held, In
order that the men might be warmed by ex-
ercise utter they hnd remained In the biting
wind. Around the penltentiary was line
Of troops, in the Opera House was guard,
three companies stood at rest tn the open
space IN front OF the Capitol Hotel, sentries
patrolled every side OF the building In
which former Governor Bradley resides,
and detuchment OF infantry held the
Court House against the possible coming
Of tue members OF the Legislature with the
intention OF declaring that not William 8.
Taylor, but William Goebel was the lawful
head and chief executive OF the Common
wealth OF Kentucky.
Copies OF the Governors proclamation
wore sent to the State House. Long lines
OF infantry were drawn up on each side ef
the hall with liked bayonets. At the loot
OF the stairs leading to the legislative
halls stood Colouel Williams, and behind
him detachment OF soldiers, completely
blocking up the stair. Colonel Williams
carried in his hand q large bundle OF
papers, which he handed to each member
OF the House as they passed him. Ii
was a COPY Of Governor 'Taylor's procla-
nation. Colonel Williams permitted Clerk
Lee, Assistant Stone, and few Represent
atives to pass up stairs. Then the main
body came tramping through the doorway
and they were stopped by tue soldiers III
IN instant
Loud cries and excamations filled the
air and Colonel Williams, mounting hnlf
way up the stairs, shouted:
'Gentlemen, 1 hold in my hands PROC
lamation issued by the Governor OF Ken
tueky, which will read"
He then read the proclamation in loud
voice and directed m orderly to pass cop
les of tho proclamation out into the crowd.
The legislato ors were coming in too. rap
idly, however, and the pushing and snout-
ing made 1t impossible for any explana'
tion to be given to the late comers. Ad-
jutant- eneral Collier then mounted the
stairway and read the proclamation Il
second time. When he flushed, repre-
sent ative shouted:
"Mr. Chairman, where is London"
els it in Kentucky?" yelled another
voice.