The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-30
THE KENTUCKY CONTEST
TAXES THE TURN OF THREATENED
ARMED RESISTANCE.
THE STATE CAPITOL BESIEGED.
One Thousand Me- Armed With Win
chesters Reach the City and stack
Arms on the state House Grounds.
They Leave the City at Night With
Intention of Returning on Day of De-
Gliding the Contest-A conflict Feared
Today-Progress of the Contest.

Frankfort, KY, January 25.-A spe-
cial train of seventeen cars bearing
more than 1000 men carrying Winches-
ter rifles arrived in Frankfort at $50
O'Clock this morning. The men hail
from the counties of Bell, Allen, Knox.
Harlan, Whittier, Metcalf and Edmun-
SON.
Governor Taylor says they are not
soldiers. He disclaimed any knowledge
of the identity or purpose of the armed
| visitors.
The men marched to the state house,
stacked their arms and took up posi-
lions in groups about the building.
Adjutant Genera Collier states that
he had no knowledge that the men
were coming. Many of the visitors are
members of the state guard.
Ex-Secretary of State Charles Fin
ley addressed them from the steps of
the state house. He said the object Of
h gathering was to see justice done.
Tissue ballots and intimidation con-
tinue to be the burden of the evidence
offered by the contestees before the
boards hearing the gubernatorial con-
test.
IA NHO to( SO1lCSl OodIoS al
nounced the result of their considera-
ton of the contestees' counter notices
and the contestees were granted time
to amend many paragraphs overruled
and demurred to.
Ex-Governor Bradley at
the beginning of the days session that
a warrant was issued for the arrest
of Judge Sterling b. Toney, of the
Louisville law and equity court for re-
fusal to come to Frankfort and testi-
fy. The warrant was sent to Louis
vile for service tonight, in spoons to
Ex-Governor Bradley's request.
A dozen Wolf county election officers
testified today, concerning the use vt
alleged tissue ballots. Albert Brandeis,
a Louisville attorney, said he eXan;in-
ed the poll books of Louisville and
found that q, 165 voters indicated their
party affiliation when they registered.
He produced a tabulated statement
showing that 1913 per cent. of the demo-
cra tic voters registered failed to vote
at the last election and that 1913 per
cert. of the republicans registered fail
ed to vote.
The arrival in Frankfort this morn
ing Of from 500 to 1000 men armed with
rifles might have terrorized a commun-
ity less Injured to unusua and ems
tional happenings, but by nightfall the
excitement cause by the appearance
of the warlike visitors had subsidized
n the people were prepared for an
other turn in the events now making
history at the states capital. The
train that bore the armed men was
made up of fourteen coaches. APP
parently blu few others knew hat the
train was expected. The men left the
coaches at the station and forming in
to companies marched to the state
house, where their arms were deposit
ii - -
ed about the buildings. Lunch was
served to them at the rear of the stale
house. Most of the visitors wore
badges of white ribbon, adorned with
a picture of Governor Taylor.
While it is generally believed that
many of the men who arrived today
are soldiers, no person in authority will
stand SpOns for the statement, while
Governor Taylor and Adjutant Gen
eral Collier disclaim any connection
with them. The men hail from vari-
u sections of the state.
After eX-Secretary of State Finley
n Judge Sharp addressed them at the
state house, a committee was appoint
| ed to draft resolutions which indicated
their mission. The resolutions as
adopted will be presented to both
houses of the legislature tomorrow.
These 1ecite the inherent principles of
liberty and free government proclaim
ed in the bill of rights; the right to
freely communicate "our thoughts and
opinions" and assemble peacefully for
the good CT fellow Kentuckians and of
appealing to their agents and proxies,
the legislature, by either petition or
remonstrance; admonish hat body that
peril hOverS close over many things
dear to them; invoke ain prudence
and demonstrate against the legislators
being led into the temptations of par
tisan pride in the present crisis. The
resolutions close:
I'VE beSeech them to remember that
their own just powers were loaned
them by us at the polls and that among
these was the jurisdiction to decide jul
dicially and by due process of law, and
not otherwise, what was then our e
pressed will, not their present political
preference.
I'VE implore them that they do not or
slight or technical pretextS nor fimsy
or trivial causes permit the subversior
of the supreme law of the land, the will
of the people,"
The armed men of the mountains
contrary to expectations, on the a d
vice of the republican authorities here
left Frankfort at 9 o'clock tonight
They are believed, however, to have
mistaken this for the day on which the
contest boards were to make their re-
port. While getting aboard their trair
they amused themselves by discharg.
ing their guns. The people of the city
gave them a wide berth. They are ex'
pected to return when the contest ends
Cincinnati, January 25.-The Times
Star special from Lexington, KY, says
Large numbers are to be present a
Frankfort tomorrow when h Goebe
men will, it is believed. attempt t.
force action on contests in the house
It is said notice will be served OF
Goebel members hat it is not the in
tention to see republicans who hav'
been honestly elected thrown out FOL
Goehel democrats. In this event Speak
err Trimble will, it is likely, order tn
Hobbies and galleries of the state houst
cleared, and, it is feared, precipitate {