The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-02-08
he Did Not Revoke the Order
Conyening the Legislature
at London, Ky.
THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.
A Statement In Regard to the Position
Taken BY the Republicans In
the Present Controversy.
A p,x Peace Conference Held nj
L.uisyiiIe-RepubI and DEM
ocratfc Leaders Are Trying to
settle Their Disputes.

Tls
Monday gave an emphatic denial to
the report that he revoked the order
eonyening the Legislature at London,
XIV. and ordering the legislature to
sit at Frankfort Tuesday. He made a
written statement TO this effect after
wards. In an interview with press
commemorative Gov. Taylor said:
"At this present moment there is no
turning back. The legislature will
convene at London. where il Will con-
tinue 10 sit unless there is change
OF policy in the future not yet de-
termined upon"
Frankfort KY, Feb. 6.-The follow
Ing statement in regard to the posi-
tion taken by the republicans in the
present controversy over the govern
orship of Kentucky was made Monday
by one in the authority of the repub-
lican party.
The statement was made to press
correspondent with the full knowl-
edge and personal approval of Gov.
Taylor. who heard every word and the
interview may he regarded, therefore,
rs official.
'The legislature was convened at
London under plain constitutional
provisions II can not legally act any
where else. and all attempted acts
done by the rump legislature any
where else are void.
"The matter must be amicably set
tied. or there is no surrender. The
republican majority is beyond ques-
tion. The constitution provides that
the one receiving tht greatest number
of votes shall be governor, and by
that declaration we propose to stand.
The republicans were denied
trial-denied hearing. They
were deprived of their rights at
the ballot box, and also at every elec-
ton tribunal in the state. Notwith-
standing all that, they won, and every
honest man in Kentucky knows this
20 be true. The liberties Of the peo-
pie must be upheld. under the law, il
possible, but the liberties of the peo-
pie must be upheld. No partisan court
has the right to tie the hands OF the
chief executive of the state, and any
attempt TO do so will be disregarded'
The lives and liberties of the people
are In part entrusted to the chief ex'
ecutive. IL is as much his sworn duty
10 protect these liberties against
fraudulent judgments, written to
overthrow the will Of the people, as 1t
is to protect them from the invasion
Of foreign foe.
"Some criticisms have been made
against us because the rump legis'
lature was not allowed to assemble
II was certainly incumbent upon the
authorities that no assemblage OF
men should be allowed. out of which
might grow further riot and strife.
When the legislature was adjourned
the whole city was cOnvulsed' and in
frenzy. Both sides were ready to
do desperate acts. Threats were
heard everywhere. The contest COM
mittee denied the counsel right to
argue, and everything was in chaos
and excitement. No one who was not
present and on the ground can com
prehend the great danger 10 life and
property IL tho legislature had met
amid this excitement, and attempted
10 carry into effect the partisan decis-
ion OF the committee. II would doubt
less, In such moments OF passion, have
acted hastily and as vindictively as
has the committed Mr.. Goebel's par
tisans would at once have set up
claims and title to the governors Of.
fee. Anarchy and confusion would
have reigned among the militia. Di.
vided and torn by strife, an inevitable
conflict would have ensued. This
would have converted the city into
= yeritable mob. But the legislature
was adjourned 10 the 9th Of February
This gave an opportunity for the
storm TO pass and passions to cool
No set Of men were fit TO sit in iudg.
ment upon the very questions that
had brought about the fearful condi.
ton at the time that the legislature
was demanding the right to act. What
was the plain duty OF the governori
Could II have been anything else than
In some heroic way to prevent fur,
ther bloodshed and ruin? This was
done by giving time for the sober sec.
'ond thoughts OF the people to assert
themselves"
An Autopsy Held.
Frankfort, Feb. 6.--An autopsy wal
held on the body of Gov. Goebel Mon.
day morning conducted by Drs. Hume
Williams and Tobin. Col Jack Chinr
told graphically and specifically Tn.
position Goebel was In when he fell
The important fact brought out was
that the exact angle taken by the bul
let was demonstrated beyond cues
ton aof doubt. Goebel had his righ,
foot forward and his right shouldel
and arm thrown back and loweret
somewhat.
II was while in this position tha
he was shot, and the angle thus as
eertained established the height from
the ground from which the assassi,
nred his shot. On the strength O
these conclusions the democratic,
leaders are asserting that straieh
line. extended from the spot whcr
the shooting occurred, would exactl,