Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-01
|G0EBEl SWORN IN.
Desperate Move by Panicstrick-
en- Kentucky Democrats.
Their Leader Called from Brink Of
Grave 10 Take Oath.
GoebeI Very Low and The Doctors Soy There
Is No Hope.

night, sworn in as Governor of Ken
lucky. and j. G.. W. Beckham. a few
minutes later. took the oath of licuten-
ant governor. The oath was admins
tered to both men by Chief Justice
HaZelrigS OF the court of appeals
The plan to make GOcbel governor
was set in motion early in the after
noon. A statement was prepared say
ing that the boards which had heard
the contests for governor and lieuten-
ant governor mad decided in favor of
Goebel and Beckham and that the
boards intended 20 report their findings
to the Legislature, but that they had
been prevented from doing so by the
action Of Coy. Taylor in declaring the
Legislature adjourned
The statement says that the members
of the Legislature We're driven from
place to place by the militia and threat
ened with arrest whenever they at
tempted TO hold a meeting. II was de
clared the belief of all the siglers of
the statement that Goebel and Beck
ham Were the legally elected governor
and lieutenant governor and each man
as he signed the paper announced that
jOrity report of the contest boards
which declared Goebel ana Beckham
to be the men rightfuIly entitled to the
offices. The statement is signed by the
majority of the members Of both
houses.
1t was slow work obtaining the sig
natures Of the members of the House
and Senate and although the work was
in progress all the afternoon it was not
until evening that the necessary num-
Der of signatures had been obtained
AS soon as the last man actually need
ed had affixed his signature to the
statement, word was sent to the resi-
dence of Chief Justice HaZelrigg of the
court of appeals. He came at once to
the Capitol Hotel, passed directly up
stairs to the room of Mr. Goebel and
administered the oath of office
Mr.. Goebel was propped up with pill
lows and was able to raise his hand
only with the greatest difficulty as he
listened 10 the words of Judge Hazel
Mr.. Goebel sank back exhausted. the
effort having been almost too much for
his strength.
There We're in the room at the time
the oath was administered. besides Mr.
Goebel and Judge Hazelrigg. Arthur
Goebel. brother of the wounded man,
Mrs. WEIGH. his sister. and Percy
Haley, his campaign manager. and two
or three intimate friends. Mr.. Goebel
was unable to say anything regarding
the matter but the Contented smile on
his face bore, strong witness to the
pleasure he felt.
Immediately upon leaving the room
where he had sworn in Mr.. Goebel.
Judge Hazelrgg went to an adjoining
room where he swore in Mr.. Beckham
as lieutenant governor. This done. he
returned to his home.
Judge HaZelrigg declined to make
any statement concerning the manner
in which the offices had been conferred
upon the Democratic contestants. "A
ma jority of both Houses of the LeEis-
lature declared for them" he said and
when | was asked to swear them in
there was nothing left for me to do but
the oaths of office. The
was of course entirely
legal and proper. | would not have
done as | did had it been otherwise
Mr.. Goebel. as soon as he was as
sured that he was legally Governor of
Kentucky. took prompt action regard
ing the military arm of the service.
Two orders We're quickly prepared for
his signature. the first of which dis
charged Adjutant General Daniel Col
lier from office, and appointed Gen.
John Il. Castleman of Louisville, as
successor. The second was directed to
the commanders of the militia now
stationed in this city. directing them to
return to their homes.
Word was at once telegraphed to
Gen. Castleman of his appointment
lnd he is expected in the city. tomor
row morning. There is a possibility
Of trouble in this matter of control of
the state troops The regiments of the
guard have lately been re-organized
and are for the most part made up of
and the personal followers
IF Gov. Taylor.
1t is not certain that they will at
Dnce obey the orders issued by Gov
ioebel and any attempt to force them
% do so will almost certainly result in
-rouble. Some of the officers intimate. |
tonight that they would not obey the |
orders to leave, although they were |
,areful not to say 50 in specific terms |
Indications around the State House |
tonight were not such as to warrant |
inv belief that the troops now there |
intended to move away in the morn !
ing. Supplies of clothing and food .
we're being received and unloaded and |
everything seemed to warrant the as
SUMPTION that the troops were to stay |
or a time at least. Gen. Collier re- |
used positively to say anything re-
his proposed line of action. |
He would not say, however, that he |
lad any intention of giving up his post
# the order of Governor Goebel
Seventv-six members of the House
md Senate signed the statement which |
included some strong criticism of the
,ctions of Gov. Taylor in adjourninS
he L.egisIat ure and preventing it from
Meeting by the use of the militia.
The House and Senate will make an
thor effort to meet, tomorrow, but the
members say they do not
.xnect any trouble. If they are pre-
-ented by the militia from entering the
Continued on page 81 !