The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-23
POLICE FORCE ON TRIAL
LOUISVILLE OFFICERS ON THE RACK
AT FRANKFORT, KY.
Partisan Character of the Force
Shown in Connection with the
Observation-Disclosures Contests.

FRANKFORT, KY, Jan. 22.-The police
ficers, defended itself vigorously tonight
against the charges of interference at the
November elections. which have been
brought against it by the Republicans Cap
tain Krakel, Lieutenant Wickham, Captain
Wright and Lieutenant Ridgely were the
officers, and all gave practically the same
evidence. They declared that orders were
issued before the election to the members
of the police force to interfere in no way
with the election, and that the orders were
carried out in good faith. There was, they
declared, ne reason why the militia should
have been called out by Governor Bradley.
and no particular reason why any extra po
licemen should have been sworn in, as
there was no disturbance at any time on
election day. Each of the four officers de-
clared that I'm his individual opinion the
presence of the militia in the armory de-
TERED many people from going to the polls.
On cross-examination all of them declared
that they did not know the name of any
person who was so deferred.
All the Republican witnesses examined
during the day testified in the afternoon, 1t
having been previously arranged that the
Monday evening session should be given to
Mr. Goebel. Z. L. Mcdonald, Of Louisville.
whose direct evidence was not finished at
the adjournment Saturday night. testified
as to his opinion Of the unrest and anxiety
in the city of Louisville just prior to the
election. and said it was due chiefly to lack
of public confidence In the police, this con-
dition having arisen from the attitude as
sumed by the police at primaries held in
June. The attorneys for Mr.. Goebel OBJ
jected strongly to the introduction of any
evidence touching any election matters
prior to the regular election Nov 2, 1899.
Chairman Hickman sustained the objection
and Colonel Breckenridge, for the Repub-
licans, asked leave to make an avowal that
the contestee desired to show that the al
legged lack of confidence in the police was
the legitimate result of former experiences
This avowal he asked should be made a
part of the report which the contest boards
are to submit later to the Legislature.
This was granted, the Democrats fling at
the same time a statement covering their
objection to the Introduction of the evil
dence. Mr.. Mcdonald stated, in his evil
dence on Saturday, that certain members
of the Honest Election League of Louis
vile, of which he was one of the organic
ers. had seriously considered the advisable
ity of carrying weapons to the polls to pro-
tect themselves, but had later given up
the idea. He was subjected TO severe
cross examination by Attorney Phelps on
this point. Judge j. w. Barr, of Louis
vile, the Republican election commissioner
situated, testified in detail regarding the
manner In which precinct officers were ap-
pointed and removed on the day Immediate
iy preceding the election.
Charles A. Wilson was placed on the
stand for the Democrats. He declared
there was absolutely no need Of troops in
Louisville on election day; that the pres
ence of soldiers irritated people. but not
pie he said. were given the idea that the
soldiers, together with the employees Of
the Louisville & Nashville. might take
possession of the polls in the interest of
the Republican party. He insisted that the
police of Louisville were organized on a
nonpartisan basis and discharged their du-
ties accordingly. On being cross-exam-
ined by Colonel Breckenridge, Judge Will
son, who was for five years member Of
the board having the power of appointing
the members of the force, testified that it
was composed of Democrats. He could
give the name of no INDIVIDUAL who had,
according TO his personal knowledge, been
kept away from the polls by fear OF the
soldiers.
In the Legislature this morning the House
contesting committee reported in favor Of
A. p. Crawford (Dem.). of Brathitt county
and against Edward Markham (Rep) The
report was adopted without a dissenting
vote. The House committees in the con-
tested election cases of Walker (Rep) vs.
Ray Dem.) and Van Meter (Dem.) VS.
Berry (Rep) will report to morrow In the
first case the committee will unanimously
recommend that Ray, the sitting member,
retain his seat. A majority. and probably
ALL of the other committees will report in
favor OF Berry. who is also the sitting
member.
For two days the Democrats have been
talking about a second bribery sensation,
i'm which an attempt was made to induce a
Goebel man TO vote for Taylor, and to-day
some evidence was given before the grand
Jury, no indictments being returned. how
ever The Republicans laugh at the story
and declare there Is nothing In IL.