New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-11
TAYLOR REFUSES TO SIGN.
AFTER A CONFERENCE WITH MANY RE
PUBLICANs DECISION ANNOUNCED.
HE RECALLS THE LEGISLATURE TO THE
KENTUCKY CAPITAL AND ORDERS THE
TROOPS TO RETURN Tc THEIR HOMES.

HE RECALLS THE LEGISLATURE TO THE
KENTUCKY CAPITAL AND ORDERS THE
TROOPS TO RETURN Tc THEIR HOMES.
Frankfort KY Feb. I0.-'I have only this TO
say: After mature elaboration and confer
ence with my friends from every section of the
State. ! have concluded to allow this contro-
xs-sy 20 take its due course, vigorously con-
testing every inch of ground and upholding the
rights Of the people TO the uttermost. III those
rights he destroyed the responsibility for that
destruction must rest with those who sit in
Judgment.
1T is due TO say that the eminent gentlemen,
my friends who secured the propositions result
ing IN the Louisville conference acted in per-
feet good faith. from the highest motives OF
patriotism and did the very best they could.
The above was signed by Governor Taylor ard
ISSUED as a proclamation this evening.
The decision not to sign the Louisville agree
rnent was reached by Governor Taylor this af-
ternoon For over two hours he had been in
conference with fully hundred and fifty
prominent Republicans from all parts OF the
State. The meeting secret in the extreme,
ali those who left the hall before Governor Tay-
Ter refusing to say anything concerning the
progress Of the deliberations Judge George
Denny presided and L. F. Petty acted as secre-
tary. The members of the conference, with the
exception Of Governor Taylor, gathered in the
legislative hall usually occupied by the House
Of Representatives.
after the hall was filled Governor Taylor en-
tered and was greeted with ringing burst of
cheers The door was then closed and the secret
proceedings began Governor Taylor stated to
the conference that there were two courses TO
be pursued: first. 10 sign the Louisville agree
ment: second, to quietly withdraw the troops,
allow the Legislature 10 reconvene in the Capt.
tol in Frankfort, TO call off the session now be-
ing held in London and to ignore the Louisville
agreement entirely. Several speeches were
made, and it was soon apparent that the senti-
ment Of the gathering was strongly in favor of
the second course and this was adopted.
This action was decided on at 1 o'clock, and
The first information of the decision was given
10 the outside world by Governor Taylor him
self He came rapidly through the doors, un-
attended and looking nervous and haggard.
He walked hastily toward the Capitol stairway,
repeating several times to the newspaper men
who stood in the hall. Il don't sign! don't
sign! / don't sign"
From the Capitol he passed to the Executive
Building. where he at once prepared and signed
the following proclamation. reconvening the
Legislature at Frankfort KY:
Frankfort. Feb 10 1900
The excitement recently prevailing in this
city having TO some extent subsidized, and there
eral Assembly TO remain in session in London.
I Go hereby by this proclamation reconvene the
same n Frankfort, KY, February. u, 1900. at II
o'clock noon. w. S TAYLOR
Governor of Kentucky.
Orders were at once issued to General Collier
70 prepare for the departure of the troops, and
in short time large number of them were
ready TO leave Six companies started tonight,
more will go tomorrow, Ind only small de-
tachment will remain by Monday morning.
These viii be retained only a peace guard,
and will in no way be obtruded on the presence
of the Legislature.
Word was at sent to the members Of the
Legislature now in session at London that the
next session would be in Frankfort, and
prompt reply was received to the effect that
they would ali start in a body Sunday and
be in Frankfort Monday morning in ample
. time for business. After Governor Taylor had
teft the hail this resolution embodying the sense
II the meeting was adopted:
Resolved That it is the sense of this meeting
that Governor Taylor should not sign the agree
Tnent referred to him by the Louisville confer
ence, and that: reposing confidence IN his ability
and sense Of duty, we are content to follow his
leadership after that refusal
J After the adjournment of the meeting 1t was
the opinion of the Republicans that the guber
material contest was practically over. They I'M
, derstood the action of to-day TO mean, and it
was intended to mean, that the matter should
now be fought out before the courts, the
| issue there reached to be accepted final.
There intention Of asking that a new
vote should be taken on the Goebel-Taylor con-
\ test but Governor Taylor stated to several
prominent Republicans that he would ask that
any former action be ratified by vote of both
houses taken coolly and without passion.
When informed of the action of the Demo
lcratic members Of the Legislature at Louisville
fin refusing 10 Frankfort, Governor
iTaylor said: 1T strikes me that their attitude is
lsomewhat inconsistent. They claim they cannot
lbe protected at Frankfort, and there is nobody
there TO modest them. They objected to the pres
\ ence of troops at a time when there was far
greater excitement and danger than now. After
things have Quoted down they refuse 10 return
because they say protection cannot be guaran-
teed to them.
The action Of Governor Taylor to-day returns
the gubernatorial fight TO the exact position II
occupied the day following the Goebel as
sassination, with the additional complication
that there was only one Legislature and one
Governor in fact whereas there two
claimants for the position, and two separate
bodies each claiming 10 be the lawmaking
power Of Kentucky.
TEXT OF AGREEMENT.
The following is the full text of the agreement