The age-herald., 1900-02-11
Legislators Are Called Back to - Frankfort.
DEMOCRATS MEET IN LOUISVILLE
Governor Beckham Sends Them Mes sage Saying That He Cannot Guarantee Them Protection
 at the State Capital

Louisville, Ky, February 1O.-The col lapse of the peace negotiations through Governor Taylors rejection of the Louis vile agreement, and the latter's action in calling off the London legislature and par tially wiehdra wing the troops, have left the fight over state offices divested of many of it's warlike features, but in worse legal tangle than ever.
 The receipt of the news from Frankfort this evening was followed immediately by 0 gathering of the democratic leaders at the Willard hotel. At this conference were Senator Blackburn, Governor Beckham, General Castleman, President Carter of the senate, Speaker Trimble and others. At its conclusion Governor Beckham sent to the legislature message rectting the hail- ure of the peace negotiations and the con- ditions existing at Frankfort as seen by him, and recommending that the legislature continue its sessions in Louisville, as he could not guarantee their personal security nor protect them from unwarranted inter ference at Frankfort.
 Acting upon this suggestion, the legisla- ture decided to remain in Louisville for tine present. and both houses adjourned to
 
 It is probable a joint resolution which was offered today will then be adopted calling dor the appointment of a committee to in- vestigate the conditions at Frankfort as they affect the safety of the legislators
 The members do not accept Governor Taylors action in ordering away part of the troops as restoring condition under which they may return to the capital - Iney say they would feel safer with the militia there than with the irresponsible armed mountaineers, who for weeks have been gathered about the state building, left to menace them.
 The New Allienments
 The new alignment of the parties after tocay's developments is about as follows:
 The republicans will stand on the legality or Governor Taylors proclamation adjourn ing the legislature to meet at London and will hold to be illegal all acts of the demo- cratic legislators since the date of that pro- clamation, chief among which are the adop- tion of the reports of the contest boards and the declaration of the election of Gov ernor Goebel and Lieutenant Governor Beckham. If the democratic legislators go back to Frankfort, the republicans will in- sist that John Marshall and not L. H. Car ter, Is lieutenant governor and president of the senate. They are free to take the matter of the governorship to the federal courts if they can make case in which such an appeal will lie.
 If the democrats refuse to return to Frankfort they may attempt to enforce the attendance of absentees, though this would be treading upon shaky legal grounds. Meanwhile they will press the suit before Judge Taft involving the minor state offices The democrats will dispute the legality of Governor Taylors proclamatons adjourn ing the legislature to London and back again to Frankfort They will contend that the legislature was dispersed by soldiers and adjourned to Louisville by it's own ac- tion in adopting, with working quorum, a concurrent resolution to that effect, so that its acts have been legal, including that by which Goebel was declared goveror; that by another concurrent resolution it may re- turn to the Frankfort capitol when condi- lions warrant, as it is the only authority by which It's sessions may be transferred from one place to another. That under the law the legislature Is the court of last resort in a contest for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor. Meanwhile Beckham will be recognized by the legislature as the legal governor. The positions are irreconcilable, and while they are maintained a clash can be only deferred. The democratic legislature held two ses- sions today, with quorum in each house. At the first some minor legislative business was disposed of.
 Governor Beckham's Message
 At the second session Governor Beckham's message was read. It follows:
 Commonwealth of Kentucky,
 Executive Office,
 Louisville, Ky, Feb. 10, 1900. "Gentlemen of the General Assembly:-I desire to inform you as to the result of the unfortunate state of affairs of the com- monweaftlh by means of an agreement adopted by a conference of representatives of both parties in this city last Monday night. We earnestly hoped that by this agreement the difficulties before us would be removed and that peace and order would, again be established in the state. We have been ready at all times that this matter should be settled In conformity with that agreement. Information has just reached me that the republican claimant Ito the office of governor has refused to sign that agreement and consequently all negotia lions in that line are at an end. We had been led to believe that the gentleman, who now controls by armed force the state -department at Frankfort, would abide by this agreement and that your body would again be permitted to meet in their respect i've halls peaceably and unmoiested; Out having been disappointed in this hope, I desire to recommend to you that you con- tinue your sessions for the present in the city of Louisville where every protection can be given your members from any m- lawful arrest or other unwarrante inter- ference with your proceedings. The capitol