The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-06
REPUBLICAN STATEMENT.
Governor Taylor's Reasons for Adj
5ourning the Legislature to London.

"s e"c AeSislature 10 London.
FRANKFORT. KY, Feb. 5.-The follow
Ing statement in regard to the position
taken by the Republicans I'm the present
controversy over the governorship of Ken
lucky was made to-day by one in author
lily. The statement was made to a corre-
spondent of the Associated Press with the
fun knowledge and personal approval of
Governor Taylor. who heard every word.
and the interview may be regarded, there
fore, as Official:
''The Legislature was convened at Lon
don under plain constitutional provisions.
1t cannot legally act anywhere else and
all attempted acts done by any rump Legis-
lature anywhere else are void
THE matter must be amicably settled.
or there is no surrender. The Republican
majority is beyond question The Constitu-
ton provides that the one receiving the
greatest number of votes shall be Cover
nor, and by that declaration we propose to
stand. The Republicans were denied a
trial. denied hearing. They were deprived
OF their rights at the ballot box and also
at every election tribunal in the State. Not
withstanding all that, they won, and every
honest man in Kentucky knows this to be
true.
''The liberties of the people must be up
held, under the law If possible. but the lib
critics of the people must be upheld. No
hands of the chief executive and any at
tempt to do so will be disregarded The
lives and liberties Of the people are in part
intrusted to the chief executive. 1t has
been made his sworn duty to protect these
liberties against fraudulent Judgments
written to overthrow the will of the people,
it is to protect them from the invasion
of a foreign foe.
s1fe
US because the rump Legislature was not
allowed to assemble. 1t was certainly in
cumbent on the authorities that no assem-
blage of men should be allowed cut OF
which might grow further riot and strife.
When the Legislature was adjourned the
whole city was convused and in a frenzy.
Both sides were ready to do desperate acts
Threats were heard everywhere. The con-
test committee denied counsel the right to
argue, and everything was In chaos and ex-
element. No one who was not present and
on the ground can imagine the great
danger to life and property If the Legisla-
ture had met amid this excitement and
attempted to carry into effect the partisan
decision of the committee. 1t would doubt
less, in such moments of passion, have
acted as hastily and as vindictively as has
the committee. Mr. Goebels partisans
would at once have set up claims and title
to the Governors office. Anarchy and
confusion would have reigned among the
militia. Divided and torn by strife. an in
eyitable conflict would have ensued. This
would have converted the city into a ver-
liable mob. But the Legislature was adj
iourned TO 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 judgment on 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 Governor? Could Ii have
been anything less than in some heroic
way to prevent further bloodshed and ruin
This was done by giving time for the sober
second thoughts of the people to assert
themselves"