The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-01-31

south gate of the Capitol grounds A
young Lieutenant was on guard in COM
mand of small squad.
AS soon as the members of the Legis-
lature were identified they were admitted
and allowed to pass into the capital build
ing. Not a soldier was in sight on the
outside Of the building, but once the door
was opened it looked like war. Long lines
of infantry was drawn up on each side
of the hall with fixed bayonets.
AT the foot of the stairs leading to the
legislative halls stood Colonel Williams
and behind him a detachment of soldiers
completely Blocking up the stair. Colonel
Williams carried in his hand large
bundle of papers, which he handed to
each members of the House as they
passed him. 1t was copy of Governor
Taylors proclamation. Colonel Williams
permitted Clerk Lee, Assistant Stone and
a few representatives to pass up stairs.
Then the main body came trampdng
through the doorway and they were
stopped by the soldiers in an instant.
Loud cries and exclamations filled the air
and Colonel Williams, mounting half way
up the stairs, shouted
Gentlemen, L hold in my hands a
proclamation issued by the Governor of
Kentucky. which will read"
He then read the proclamation in a
loud voice and directed an orderly to pass
copies of the proclamation out into the
crowd.
The legislators were coming in too rap
idly, however, and the pushing and shout
ing made 1t impossible for any explana-
tion to be given the late comers. Adju-
fa cd "a
stairway and read the proclamation
second time When he finished, rep
resentative shouted
"Mr. Chairman, where is London?'
'Is it in Kentucky?" yelled another
voice.
The good humor soon died away, how
heard from the Democratic members.
Then loud above the tumult came
voice clear and sharp
I'VE are dealing with pack of heathen
and hounds. Let's go to the Opera
House"
Shouts of approval greeted this proposal
and out of the door down the broad steps
streamed the crowd hastening along St.
Clair street toward the Opera House.
Close behind came General Collier ON the
Colonel Gray, who was standing by the
steps; a few quick orders were given by
that officer and away toward the Opera
House went the soldiers on the dead run.
Ut was not a parade They ran up the
middle of the street and easily dis
tanced the legislators, who took the
sidewalk and handicapped themselves by
the numerous posts, boxes and pedestrians
49, 11ra
arrived, all they obtained for their run of
a quarter of a mile, was the privilege of
standing on the opposite side of the street
and gazing at the Opera House, the front
of which was occupied by a painting line
of soldiers in double rank with fixed
General Lyons, the oldest and most
corpulent in the House, had despite his
physical drawbacks, managed to beat the
soldiers and get into the hall. He was
politely requested to come out, which he
did with the remark
1T does not look as though a quorum
will get, in.
Thomas Heffner owner of the Opera
House, demanded that the members of
the Legislature be admitted. 1t was pri-
vate property, he claimed and the militia
had no right to keep anybody from it.
He was completely ignored by Lieuten-
ant Colonel Gray.
Speaker Trimble stepped up to Lieu
trance to the hall. It was refused. Turn
ing around, Mr.. Trimble addressed the
crowd
to the Opera House. We will now ad-
journ to the Court House"
Away went the crowd with good natur-
ed yells of derision at the soldiers, who
had orders to remain at the Opera House
and could not leave.
The triumph of the lawmakers was
short lived Before they had gone 100
foa 1ao
corner swung a second company of
soldiers directly in their path. The second
heat of the race was now on, and away
went the dignified Senators and Repre-
sentatives down the street, in a cloud OF
dust, yelling like a pack of Indians.
Alongside ran the soldiers.
1t was the same story over again, and
the Legislators were permitted to look at
the outside of the Court House, while the
soldiers held the path.
General Collier had arrived by this time
and Speaker Trimble, advancing from the
crowd said
Don't shoot, General
'I am not going to create any trouble
I won't shoot unless have to- was tho
reply. :, ...oz a. -. 49,.
House. said Mr.. Trinnble.
Both men were smiling.
'.It cannot be done, gentlemen" said the
General. calmly.
This settled it for the time being at
least and the crowd melted away, deter
somewhere and somehow.
Speaker Trimble announced announced
ssthat the Legislature will now adjourn
subject to my call"
All the crowds had dispersed. 1t was
decided by the military authorities If
another attempt at meeting were made
to arrest all concerned in the gathering
and lock them up. The selection of
London as the meeting place of the Leg
islature is significant in the fact that 1t
is right in the heart of the country from
which hail the mountaineers who have
from time to time come down to Frank
fort The county is one of the strongest
Republican counties in the State and its
inhabitants are for the most part radical
Republicans. The Democrats say their
lives will not be safe a day If they go
up into that country. None of them will
go. The Republican members began
drawing their per diem at once and all
of them will leave for London on the
evening trains, pursuant to Governor
Taylor's instructions for the Legislature
to meet there next Tuesday.
The Court of Appeals indefinitely ad-
iourned this forenoon, refusing to sit
while the militia is here. One reason
given for the Appellate Court adjourning
is the fact that letters We're received from
Middlesboro today, stating that Appellate
Judges Hazelrigg and Hobson were also
=, Lo,va taap 1rfIlad Yesterday.