The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-15
TAFT REFUSED INJUNCTION.
HELD THAT THE FEDERAL COURT
HAD NO JURISDICTION.

Taylor Had to Go to the State Courts
With His Petition-FiIed Suit he
fore Circuit Court Mt Louisville.
Claims He Is Governor and Wants
Interference Stopped-Beckham's
Suit Against Taylor Filed in Cir
emit Court at Frankfort.
Cincinnati, Feb 14-Holding that the
federal courts had no jurisdiction in the
contests in Kentucky, Judge Taft this
afternoon refused TO grant the applica-
ton for injunctons against the Kentucky
State Board of Elections and the Demo-
cratic contestants for state Offices other
than Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
The case can so ultimately to the United
States Supreme Court.
The decision says unusual care was
given the courts deliberation, owing to
''the Importance of the interests involved
and the outrageous character of the cleo
toral frauds under the forms of law which
the bills charge that the State Contest
Board is about 20 consummate."
Suit Filed by Beckham.
Frankfort. KY, Feb. 14-The suit Of
Beckham VS., Taylor for the possession of
the office of governor was filled to-day
in the Circuit Court at Frankfort and will
be heard at Georgetown Friday.
Up TO late hour the sheriff had not
succeeded in serving notice on Gov. Tay-
lor and all visitors to his office or house
has to run gauntlet of guards.
The petition in the suit holds that w.
S. Taylor is not the Governor of the state,
and that with an armed force he holds
possession of the executive building.
Gov. Taylor tonight sent the visiting
delegation of Democratic members no
tice that though the troops would not be
moved, Legislators would not be molested.
Suit Filled in Circuit Court.
Louisville, Feb. H.-Suit was filed in the
Circuit Court to-day by counsel for Gov.
Taylor seeking to restrain J. c. W.
Beckham from acting as Governor, and
Gen. John B. Castleman from attempting
to discharge the duties of Adjutant Cen
| eral. Summonses were served on the de-
PENDANTS this afternoon.
The suit will be allotted to one of the
circuit judges by a drawing. This draw
ing may not be held for several days.
| w men II IS 0elu on dppllcdliOu lOE d Te-
straining order will be made,
The suit is brought by Gov. Taylor for
himself individually and as Governor of
Kentucky. The petition asserts that Gov.
Taylor was elected to that office Nov. Z,
1899, and after receiving from the State
Board of Election Commissioners a GER
tilcate of his election, qualified as Gov
ri
Asserts He Is Governor.
"Since the time of his said qualification
to the present time the plaintiff has con-
tinuaHy been and is now performing the
functions of the office and is recognized
as Governor by the other state officers.
But plaintiff says that the defendant, J.
C. w. Beckham, is now and for some time
has been claiming and pretending to be
the Governor of Kentucky and to have
the right to perform the functions of said
office, claiming that on the aforesaid Nov.
T. 1899, one William Goebel was elected
Governor of the said state, and that he,
the said Beckham, was then elected Lieu
tenant Governor and that by reason of
the subsequent death of said Goebel, he,
the said ,Beckham, has become invested
with the powers of Governor of said state.
And he is now and for some time has been
pretending to exercise the powers and per-
forming the functions of the office OF
Governor aforesaid. He has been pre-
tending to send messages as such Gov
ernor to the general assembly of Ken
lucky and has pretended to appoint the
defendant, John B. Castleman, as Adju-
tant General of Kentucky and to invest
him with power and control over the mill
itary of the said state, and the said de-
fendant. Castleman, is now claiming ana
pretending to be such Adjutant General
of the state.
Talks of Confusion.
Plaintiff says that. by reason of the
aforesaid acts of defendants herein, great
confusion has been produced and is now
existing in the state of Kentucky and
plaintiff is being greatly hampered and
interfered with in the performance Of his
duties as Governor OF the said state.
'Wherefore plaintiff prays for an in
junction against the defendant. j. C. w.
Beckham, enjoining and restraining him
from performing, or attempting 10 per-
form. or claiming the right to perform,
any Of the functions Of the Office OF Gov
ernor of Kentucky, and against the said
John B. Castleman from performing or
attempting to perform. or claiming the
right to perform. any of the functions of
the office of Adjutsnt General of Ken
lucky, and an injunction against each of
the defendants from interfering In any
way with the performance by this plain
tiff Of the duties OF funttions of the Of
fee of Governor aforesaid. He further
prays for his costs herein expended, and
for any other relief to which he may ap-
pear to be entitled
ASKED TAYLOR TO SURRENDER.