The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-02-05
GOV. BECKHAM,s PLANS.
Machinery of State Government to
Be Established at Louisville.

LOUISVILLE, KY, Feb. 4.-This city
is to be the seat, temporarily, at least, sof
the Democratic state government. Gov.
Beckham and the rest of his chief adj
visers reached here this morning To-
morrow the Democratic members Of the
legislature will meet here, and 1t is pur-
posed to make Louisville the headauar.-
tiers of the legislative and executive
branches Of this state government as
long as the presence of troops keeps them
from Frankfort, or until the present con-
f1ict of authority in the state is settled.
The details of this plan were decided
upon at conferences held by the Demo-
cratic leaders at Zelbaehs hotel during
the afternoon and evening. Gov. Beck
ham quietly slipped into town early this
morning. He was accompanied by Speak
er Trimble, of the house of representa-
tives; Col. Bennett H. Young, of Louis
Vile, who is one of the chief legal ad-
yisers of the Democrats, and other lead
ers who have been at Frankfort conduct
ing the partys affairs since Gov Goe-
bel was wounded last Tuesday. Gen. Cas-
tleman, the newly appointed adjutant
general, and local leaders of prominence
came in during the day, as well as a
number of Democratic members of the
legislature. Newspaper men were care
fully excluded from these councils, and
every effort was made to keep the de-
alterations secret.
The plan to have the Democratic mem
bers Of the legislature meet here had al
ready been well matured. Preliminary
steps in this direction had been taken at
the meetings of these members held In
the Capitol hotel at Frankfort.
No legislation will be attempted but
an adjournment from day to day will be
held pending a settlement of the legal
questions involved in the dispute between
the parties.
These points having been determined
the matter Of protection against possible
aggressive action by the Republican adj
ministration was taken up. 1t was de-
clared to be the purpose of the Democrats
to do nothing that would tend to provoke
conflict or to indicate that 1t was their
intention to forcibly antagonize Gov.
Taylor's administration. Measures to pro-
tect the Democratic legislators and state
officers, however, were thought to be
necessary.
Gen. Castlen.an had already commune
Gated to Gov. Beckham his acceptance
of the position of adjutant general, to
which he was appointed last night by
the Democratic executive. The general
took active part in the discussion of this
phase of the plans, and it Is said ample
arrangements were made to protect the
members of the Democratic administra-
ton from molestation by Gov. Tayfors
forces. Whether or not this is to be
done through the organization of another
state guard has not been made clear.
1t is thought, however, that the main re-
lance of the Democrats will be placed
at least for the present in the police force
of the city and the constabulary of the
county.
The mayor and city officers and the
sheriff of the county are Democrats, and
will undoubtedly recognize Beckham as
governor. The number of men at their
command is considerable, and the ample
arrangements mentioned as having been
made are believed to be in the direction
OF strengthening this force. This plan
found favor because 1t was believed to be
in line with the anr ouncement that any
measures looking to the use of any armed
force were to be puraly defensive.
Another consideration III this connec-
ton was the fear expressed by some of
the Democrats that Gov. Taylor might
seek to interfere with the session of the
state board of election commissioners
which has been set for next Tuesday at
Frankfort. The board has before it the
contests for minor, state offices. In the
event of interference this board would
probably adjourn to meet In Louisville
If the decision of this board should be
in favor of the Democratic contestants
it's decision would have an important
bearing on the conflict between the rival
governors.
About so of the 119 counties of the state
have Democratic officials, whom Demo-
Gratis believe would recognize the Demo
cratic auditor and treasurer, and would
not transact business with the Repub-
lican incumbents of these offices at
frankfort. This would involve the con-
troll of the state revenues which come
to the state officers through the sheriffs,
the circuit courts and the county clerks.
This matter affects the disposal of thou
sands of dollars of state funds, and
would bring into the already tangled
state of affairs no end of new complica-
tons.
Senator-elect Blackburn did not take
Part in today's conferences in this city,
having remained in Frankfort to look
out for his party's interests there.
Gov. Beckham tonight denied himself