The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-23
POLICE FORCE DEFENDED
lis officers Say There Was No Need Tor
Militia.
SOLDIERS KEPT VOTERS FROM THE POLLS
synopsis of the Testimony Before
the Contest Boards in the Ken
lucky state Election.

Frankfort, KY, January 22.--The police
force OF Louisville. through four OF its
office s, defended itself vigorously tonight
against the charges OF interference at the
+. November elections which have been
brought against them by the republicans.
Captain krakel. Lieutenant Wickham,
Captain Wright and Lieutenant Ridge
were the officers and gave practically the
same evidence. They declared that orders
were issued before the election to the MEM
bers of the police force to interfere in
no way with the election and that the
orders were carried out IN good faith
There was, they declared, no reason why
the militia should have been called out by
Governor Bradley and no particular reason
why any extra policemen should have been
sworn in, as there was no disturbance at
any time on election day. Each OF the
four officers declared that in his individual
opinion the presence OF the militia III the
armory deferred many people from going
to the polls. on cross examination all OF
them declared that they did not know the
name of any person who was so deferred.
All the republican witnesses examined
during the day testified in the affirmative,
l.
the Monday evening session should he
given to Mr.. Goebel, the contestant on
account Of the time lost on the evening OF
the Bryan banquet.
Il. H. Mcdonald OF Louisville, whose
direct evidence was not furnished at the
adjournment Saturday night, was recalled
He testified TO his opinion OF the unrest
and anxiety in the city of Louisville Just
prior to the election and said il was the
oh f1u, Ia, Orr
police this condition having arisen from
the attitude assumed by the police al the
primaries held in June.
The attorneys for Mr.. Goebel objected,
strongly to ,he Introduction OF any wi
dence touching any election matters prior
TO the regular election. November T. 1889
Chairman Hickman sustained the OBJ
lection and Colonel Breckinrldge, for the
republicans asked leave so make an
avowal that the contesiee desired TO show
that the alleged lack OF confidence in the
police was the legitimate result of former
experiences This avowal, ho asked, should
be made part OF the report which the
contest boards are to submit later TO the
legislature. This was granted the demo-
Gratis filing at the same time a statement
covering their objection to the introduction
Of the evidence.
Mr. Mcdonald stated in his evidence Sat
urday that certain members of the Hon
est Election league of Louisville, OF which
he was one of the organizers, had serious
ly considered the advlsahillty OF carrying
weapons to the polls to protect themselves
but had later given up the idea He was
subjected to a severe cross examination
by Attorney Phelps on this point He ad-
mitted that In making the statement that
people went more freely to the polls, be-
cause relieved OF apprehension because OF
the presence of the militia in the armory;
he was giving an opinion openly and not
a fact known to him personally
Judge w II. Barr of Louisville, the re-
publican election commissioner for JEFF
ferson county, in which Louisville Is sit
uated, testified in detail regarding the
manner in which precinct officers were
appointed and removed on the day preced-
ing the election.
Beside the evidence by the police Judge
Charles a, Wilson was placed on the
stand He declared there was absolutely
no need OF troops in Louisville on cleo
ton day; that the presence OF the soldiers
irritated the people to such n point as TO
cause them trouble. People. he said were
given the Idea that the soldiers, toge her
with the employees OF the Louisville and
Nashville railroad, might take possession
Of the polls in the interest OF the repub-
lican party. He insisted that the police
of Louisville were organized on a non
partisan basis and discharged their duties
accordingly. On being cross-examined by
Colonel Breckenridge, Judge Wilson, who
WIS for five years a member OF the board
having the power OF appointing the men,
bers of the force, testified that It was
composed of democrats. He could give
The name of no Individual who had ar
cording to his personal knowledge, been
kept away from the polls by fear of the
soldiers
Frederick Zahner, a democratic election
Judge. testified that he knew two men
who were afraid to go to the polls because
of the presence OF the soldiers In their
armory.
Thompson A. Robertson testified to the
effect produced on the peonle OF Louisville
by the presence of the military which, he
thought kept many people from the polls.