The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-16

danger. The militia had been called
out to prevent riot II possible. out u
was clear that II the legislature sue
cceded by revolutionary methods in
casting n cloud upon my title II would
necessarily weaken my control OF the
militia, the only power that ] pos
sesscd to prevent further bloodshed
and ruin. With all these dreadful con-
ditions staring me in the face | ex-
crcised the power vested in me by
the constitution Of the state and adj
journed the legislature to meet at
different point on a subsequent day.
My power TO make this adiournmanc
has been questioned, but maturer re-
Election has only increased my con-
iidcrcc in that right. Section SO of the
state constitution. after speaking OF
the general assembly and fixing the
date when IL shall meet, uses the fol-
lowing expression: Its scssions shall
be held at the scat of government ev-
cept in case of war, insurrection or
pestilcncc, when II may. by proclama-
tion of the governor. assemble for the
time being elsewhere But whether
this provision of the constitution
clearly authorizes the action or not, I
know the conditions justified it and
all fair men who were familiar with
them ! believe viii, agree with me in
this regard. Hence 1t follows that If
had the power TO convene the lesis-
lature in LONDON all acts performed
by it elsewhere during the time it was
lawfully convened there and after the
adjournment here were void. Its Sc
cret meeting of part of its members
without notice to the presiding officer
| of the senate canncr certainly be
treated seriously; hence 1t seems too
clear in my mind for debate that the
alleged acts taken upon the contest
for governor and lieutenant governor
must of necessity be but a nullity.
80 viewing it. it seems clearly my
duty not only to myself. but to the
people of Kentucky. to retain the posi-
ton that now hold until divested of
it as provided by law and the constitu.
tion. or until some tribunal authorized
TO do so determines that the acts of
the secret session are binding. When
the intense excitement had subsidized
l asked the legislature to reconvene
bers who had met in the secret session
ana claimed to remove me declined to
return to the seat Of government be-
cause. as I am informed. of the pres
encc of Objectionable citizens and
few militamcn. The militia is here
charged with the duty of preserving
peace. They cannot possibly cndanger
the life of anyone but will protect the
interests of all. | feel that it is my
hounden duty to retain "A sufficient
number of these prcservers of the peace
ut this time because of the violent at
tacks made upon this administration
by the partisan press; because of the
threats made by the press and by
hundreds of people who read these az
tacks. | receive almost daily incen-
diary letters threatening that my life
shall be taken and that tn" public
buildings shall be destroyed by dyna-
mite. 1t would be sheer folly in view
Of these things for me to expose my
life and the public property by with
drawal of the militia. While feel
1 and know that l was elected yet the
emolumcnts and honors of the Office are
mere insignificant quantities to me
compared to my duty to the public 70.
the preservation Of the lives and the
property of the people and the main
tanance of liberty. God knows the
burdens that I have had tn assume
! have been most onerous and gladly
would l have escaped them if such a
| thing had been possible.
II know I have been wrongcd.
know the people have been wronged.
know the ballot boxes have been out
ragged and know Kentuckians are to-
day. politically speaking. in slavery
a merciless and remorseless machine.
held together by the cohesive power of
plunder. disregards all appeals for
, right and fair play. Gladly would
, this minute surrender not only the Of
flee to which the people have elected
| me. but all else that l have, if I could
only by doing so secure to my state
, and our people absolute political lib
erty. In this connection it is perhaps
right that l should speak of what is
known as an amnesty proposition
which I declined to accept The mo-
tives of my friends who We're parties
to that propositiOn must not be ques-
! toned. They acted i'm perfect good
! faith and with a knowledge on my part
| that they We're negotiating an adjust
ment. however. with n distinct UNDER
standing that no agreement should be
binding until submitted to and ap-
! proved by me. These men knew how
! earnest and anxious ] was To be re-
| lieved Of the cares of my position If [
could thereby secure an honest election
law. Hence they. under the promise OF
some OF the leaders of the opposition
that an honest election law should be
provided. We're, perhaps. induced to
yield more than they would otherwise
have done. That proposition had my
-, most earnest considera ton. | felt that
l was acting. not only with reference
| Ia my individual interests. but with
! reference to the interests of the people
! throughout the state. ! realized that
| by the terms of that agreement ! was
made To accept the decision Of Joint
! assembly without further question:
! decision that conscientiouaiy fnlt was
| in violation of the constitution. as well
! as Il contradiction Of the facts.
! II also realized that | had only III,
| bare promise of a few of the leaders
Of the Democratic party that such Il
; law should be enacted. Not one single
| member of the general assembly hal
to my knowledge asserted to such an
| agreement. While | was considering
| the rropriety of this proposition / no.
| ticed through the public press that
| number Of the Democratic members
had stated that under no circunl-
stances would they ever vote to repeal
the election law Of 1S"S The Repuo-
Leans everyw here, as We'll as tho