The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-06
CHAOTIC YESTERDAY.
No Change in the Situation at Frank
fort-Democrats Mfsled.

fOrt-DemOcrats Mfsled.
FRANKFORT, KY, Feb. 5.-Governor
Taylor tonight made distinct and posi-
tive offer TO submit the merits of his claim
to the gubernatorial chair of Kentucky to
any three fair-minded men in the world,
these three men to be selected by the
United States Supreme Court. He will al
low them to arbitrate the case and will
abide by their decision. This announce
ment he made to a correspondent of the
Associated Press at o'clock tonight, in
his Office III the executive building. The
declaration made by Governor Taylor re-
gardng arbitration was at once wired to
| Lieutenant Governor John Marshall and
Attorney David w. Fairleigh. Republican
members Of the political conference held
tonight at Louisville.
Chaotic is the only word that will de-
scribe the political situation it existed
to-day at Frankfort. This condition arose
not so much from anything that was done
by either side as from the countless stories
and rumors that were spread broadcast
during the day. Early in the morning 1t
was positively asserted by the Democrats
and confirmed by few Republicans that
the legislative session in London was about
10 De Cdlleu OIL luc DctuOCTdtS CidlI1oQ
to have had the highest possible assur-
ances that Governor Taylor would take
such action. and that the next session OF
the Legislature would be held in Frank
fort. in the Capitol building. tomorrow
morning. Governor Taylor late in the
morning, however, altered the situation en-
tirely by declaring that no order had been
issued revoking the meeting at London and
that 1t would proceed as originally intend
ed by him. He denied in the most en-
phatic manner that there had been any in
tention on the part of the Republican par
ty to abandon the London session.
A BOMBsHELL TO DEMOCRATS.
This was a bombshell to many Of the
Democratic members of the Legislature.
who, acting on the advice of their attor-
neys. had left the city Saturday night and
on Sunday morning in order to be away
| from the capital in case it was decided by
| Governor Taylor to convey them to Lon
| don for the purpose of helping out
! quorum. They had left the city as directed
| and early this morning a large number of
| them were told to return, as everything
! had been settled and an agreement reached
which would allow the Legislature to oc-
| cupy the chambers in the Capitol building.
| They came in from all directions and on
! every train, and by noontime fully thirty
| of them had arrived. They knew nothing
| of the situation except what had been con-
| tanned in the messages received by them,
| and these were found to be misleading
| when they were confronted on their arrival
| in Frankfort by the statement of Governor
| Taylor They Immediately began prepara-
/ finnQ n leave the CITY. and at nightfall
Democratic members were as scarce as
! they were in the morning before the first
train arrived Late in the evening word
| came that an adjustment favorable to the
Democrats might be made at the Louisville
| conference which was expected. however.
| to last through the greater portion of the
night. BY this time the Democratic men,
bers were pinnings their faith once more to
legal advice and were beyond the reach of
reassuring kilograms.
| To-day in Frankfort was County Court
| day, which comes on the first Monday of
| every month, and brings to the city any
where from two to five thousand outsiders.
| The number to-day was smaller. than
| usual, for many assurances had gone forth
| from here that there was a strong posi-
| bility of trouble, and nobody without spe-
| cial business should take 1t on himself to
come to town. The crowd. however. was
| sufficiently large to throng the streets. and
! this, coupled with the fact that the Demo-
| Gratis were returning to the city in num-
| bers and that during the morning, at least,
| political excitement ran high, induced Ad-
| jutant General Collier to make more ample
| preparations for the suppression of posi-
| BILE trouble than he had done at any pre-
| vious time.
| CANNON IN POSITION.
| An ancient three-inch ri1ed cannon
| was brought from the armory on the hill
| side and placed in the Capitol grounds
pointing directly down st. Clair street
! Ammunition was placed beside 1t, and be-
side the Calling guns which were on both
sides Of it, commanding the approaches to
the Capitol building from the southwest
and southeast When asked why he was
making more extensive preparations than
had existed yesterday General Collier re-
| piled:
1.-The old gun has been locked up for a
long tiIne. and We just brought it out to
| give it a little air.
The Stat Board of Election Commission
ers met ta-day in the Capital Hotel for a
short session and then decided to make an
| attempt to visit the Offices of the commits
| sion in the Capitol building. They reached
| these after considerable trouble with the
sentries, and promptly adjourned until 10
! o'clock tomorrow morning. to meet in the
Capital Hotel.
Although every leader of the Democratic
party is now away from Frankfort 1t is
understood and believed by such of those
who remain here that the Democratic party
in case of failure to agree with the Re-
publicans in Louisville. will at once pro-
| coed TO organize q State government. In
order to do this with the least possible de-
lay 1t is necessary that the contests for the
minor positions on the State ticket shall
be determined Immediately. Governor
Beckham has at the present time no secre-
tary of state, no treasurer and no auditor.
| 1t will be impossible, OF course, for him to
| transact state business until these officers
have been seated ard 1t is with the object
| of facilitating matters in this respect that
the election commissioners are now at
work All these contests are little more
J than matters of form, every one Of them
resting upon the same evidence which
caused the Legislature to decide the Goe-
bel-Taylor contest in favor OF the former.
The contests will be decided by the cleo
ton commissioners and their decision is