The age-herald., 1900-03-12
Says He Will Prevent the She'd
 ding of Innocent Blood.
GAVE PARDONS TO THE PRISONERS
Soldiers Still Surround the State Capi- tol at Frankfort, and it is Fear -.t.='s ed That Serious Trouble
 Will Arise Today

Frankfort, Ky, March 11.-After a few weeks of quietude, political affairs in this state are rapidly reassuming a threatening condition Acting under orders from Gov ernor Taylor, several companies of the state guard, whose officers recognize the republican executive, are moving toward Frankfort, for what purpose is not quite clear. On the other hand, those companies recognizing Governor Beckham are tender ing their services to Adjutant-General Cas- tIeman, and others are being formed in several towns of the state.
 conflict between the rival forces was narrowly averted yesterday by the flight of the secretary of state, Caleb Powers, and Policeman Davis, who had spent the day in the state house protected by soldiers from the service of warrants charging them with being accessories to the assas- next point of contact will occur, no one can predict
 The process of adjudicating the governor ship issue has gotten no farther than de- cision by the circuit court at Louisville, which was in favor of the democrats. It is reported the case will be taken to the higher courts at once, but the probability that a final decision will be awaited peace ably by both sides seems less than it did a few weeks ago.
 The first move on the part of Governor Beckhams followers toward the formation of a state guard under his administration was taken here today City Clerk Ben Mar shall circulated a paper and enlisted the re- quisfte number of men who are to compose a new company. The guns for this com- pany have been provided by citizens here, most of them being Needle guns or Win chesters.
 Sensational Report
 This afternoon report gained currency that Governor Taylor had given his soldiers orders to arrest Governor Beckham and other officers of the democratic state gov ernment On account of this report the men enlisted by Captain Marshall were as- sembled at-the police headquarters ahmed and sworn in as special police for the pur- pose of protecting tine democratic officers who are still quartered at the Capitol hotel A large number of citizens also volunteered and were assigned to various posts in the vicinity of the hotel to cover a resistance in case the talked of arrests were attempt ed.
 Governor Taylors soldiers who are on guard at the staIte house were reinforced today by the arrival of the Barboursville company of 71 men, all of whom are fully ,r1 ed for tonight. The Pineville and London companies are expected some time during the night oG tomorrow
 Governor Beckham this afternoon ap- pointed Colonel David R. Murray, of Clo- verport, assistant adjutant general, with the rank of colonel. and he was sworn in. The official announcement was made that this appointment Is only Temporary. This was regarded as significant, it being undesr- stood that Colonel Murray accepted the ap- pontment on account of the gravity of the present situation and with the understand ing that he could resign when the condi- tions in the state become more quiet.
 Soldiers Surround Capitol
 Surrounding the capitol and the state ex- ecutive building and camped on the grounds around Governor Taylor's home are nearly 200 state militia, well provided with ammu- milton, while fin the corridors of the Capital hotel, in which the democratic executive officers are located, and in the streets ad- jacent to that building are sixty special officers and the men and boys of a militia company that was organized in Frankfort today, besides scores or more of heavily armed citizens, partisans of the democratic claimant. Only two days more remain for the legislature to remain dn session. but the developments of those two days are looked forward to with apprehension by leaders of both sides.
 The democratic partfsans say that should the militia attempt to interfere with the session of the legisla ture, persistent rumors of which have been in circulation all day, 1t will be next to impossible to avert blood- shed. The republican officials, however, deny that such action has been even con- templated, and say the legislature will not be molested in any way. That the report is believed in democratic circles, however, Is shown by the fact that the advisabdnty of holding the session In some other place rhan the state house has been under ad- yisement and even at a late hour tonight the question had not been fully settled. Several republican members of the legisla-