The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-01
Oath Administered as He Lay
Propped Up by Pillows.
Little Hope Of His Recovery--Armed
Soldiers Hold Balance Of Power.
May Be Desperate Fighting.

Frankfort, Ky, Feb. 1-William Goe-
bel was shortly before O'Clock last
night sworn in as Governor of Ken
hucky and J. c. w. Beckham, few
minutes later took the oath OF lieut.
enant governor The oath was admin
Gstered TO both men by Chief Justice
Hazelrlgg OF the Court OF Appeals.
The plan To make Goebel governor was
set in motion early in theN afternoon.
a statement was prepared saying that
the boards which had heard the con-
tests for governor and lieutenant gov
ernor had decided in favor OF Goebel
and Beckham, and that the boards in
tended 10 report their findings 10 the
legislature, but that they had been pre-
vented from doing so by the action Of
Gov. Taylor in declaring the legisla-
ture adjourned. The statement says
that The members of the legislature
were driven from place 10 place by
the militia and threatened with arrest
whenever uhey attempted To hold
meeting 1t was declared the belief OF
all the signers 0f the statement. that
hotDel anu Bethlldin we're the icsdiJ
elected governor and lieutenant COVER
nor and each man as he signed the
paper announced thai he voted for the
adoption OF the majority report OF the
contest boards, which declared Goebel
and Beckham TO be the men rightfully
entitled 10 the offices. The statement
is signed by the majority Of the MEM
bers Of both houses.
SIGNATURES OBTAINED.
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, not until
evening had the necessary number OF
signers been obtained As soon as
the last man actually needed had af-
fixed his signature 10 the statement.
word was sent TO the residence ot Chief
Justice Hazelrigg OF the Court ~ APP
peals. 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. Cioebel was
propped up with pillows and was able
to raise his hand only with the great
est difficulty as he listened TO tho
words Of Judge Hazelrigg. When the
oath had been given Mr.. Goebei sank
back exhausted. the effort having been
almost too much for his strength. There
were I'm the room at the time the oath
U.
and Judge Haxelrigg, Arthur Goebel
brother Of the wounded man: Mrs.
Welch, his sister. and Percy Haley. hia
campaign manager. and two or three
irtimate friends. Mr. Goebel was un-
able TO say anything regarding tha
matter, but the contented smile on his
face bore strong witness to the pleas
ure he felt
Immediately upon leaving the room
where he had sworn in Mr. Goebel
Judge Hazelrigg went TO an adi1inlng
room. where he swore I'm Mr.. Beckham
MS lieutenant governor. This done, ne
returned TO his home.
ACTION LEGAL. HE SAYS.
Judge Hazelrigg declined to make
any statement concerning the manner
In which the offices had been conferred
upon the Democratic contestants
"A majority of both houses OF the
legislature declared for them" he said
and when | was asked 60 swear them
On there was nothing left for me TO do
but to administer the oaths of office
The proceeding was, Of course, entirely
legal and proper. | would not have
done as I did had Il 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.
his signature the first OF which dis
charged Adit. Gen. Golfers from office
and appointed Gen. John II. Castleman
of Louisville. as successor. The second
was directed TO the commanders OF the
militia now stationed I'm this city di-
recting them to return 10 their homes.
CASTLEMAN NOTIFIED.
Word was at once telegraphed TO Gen.
Castleman OF his appointment, and he
Is expected in the Caty this morning
There is a possibility or trouble in this
matter of control OF the state troops.
The regiments OF the guard have late
ly been reorganlzed, and are for the
most part made up OF Republicans
and the personal followers OF Gov. Tay-
lor
IL Is not certain that they will at once
obey the orders issued Ivy GOV. Goebel,
and any attempt 20 force them To do SO
will almost certainly result I'm trouble.
Some OF the state officers intimate that
they would not obey orders to leave.
although they were careful not TO say
So I'm specific terms.
Indications around the state house
last night were not such as TO warrant
any belief that the troops now there in
tend to move away. Supplies OF cloth
ing and food were being received and
unl0aded. and everything seemed to
warrant the assumption that the troops