The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-22
Republican Representatives Afraid of
a Coup, and Are Making n Display
of Guns and RevoIvers.
NO ELECTION OF SENATOR
DEMOCRATS ALONE NET IN JOINT
CONVENTION YESTERDAY.
Session of the House, Which Adj
journed Till Friday.

DENVER, Col, Jan. H.-There were ru-
mors of battle and plenty of warlike prep
aratons at the Statehouse tonight. Early
in the evening the story gained credence
that body of armed men was hidden
somewhere about the Statehouse for the
purpose of Selling the chamber of the
House of Representatives some time during
the night and holding it in the interest of
one of the senatorial candidates. The
House chamber has heretofore been guard
ed by three or four men and early this
morning ladders are said to have been
found in one of the side corridors, reaching
to window communicating with the House
gallery. II Is also said that half dozen
men, who were in the vicinity of the lad
ders, when discovered. This incident
gave color to the rumor of an intended
armed attack upon the chamber tonight.
To guard against such a move, Sergeant
alarms Plummer placed thirty armed men
under charge of Assistant Sengeant-at-
arms Sherman Bell, who was a member of
Roosevelts Rough Riders, in the chamber
hazards. Shotguns and large caliber revolt
vers are in evidence and it is not thought
likely that capture will be attempted even
If it were planned.
The Democratic members of the Senate
are still in session, although most of them
went to sleep upon cots early in the even
ing. They are protected by a score of po-
licemen and deputy sheriffs. A joint session
Of the two branches of the General Assem-
bly, for the election of United States sena-
tor was held to-day. but only Democratic
members participated in the vote. and there
was no election. After concurring in adj
journment of the House until o'clock
Friday the Democratic representatives pro-
ceeded to the Senate chamber, where the
joint session was called to order by Senator
Adams, temporary president of the Demo-
cratic faction Of the Senate. There were
present twenty-six senators and twenty
five representatives, total of fifty-one, all
Democrats, which Is the number required
to elect a senator. Senator Theodore Nc
CURE, Dem, retired, after the session had
refused to excuse him from voting, leaving
only fifty members present. Several men,
bers objected TO the proceedings on the
ground that the joint session was irregular,
and five Democrats beside MCGUIRE refused
to vote. On the joint ballot forty-five votes
were cast, all being for Henry M. Teller.
The joint session then adjourned until noon
tomorrow.
The Republican leaders say that any ac-
ton the joint session may take will be il
legal and invalid, as the House had adj
journed until Friday In order to give the
two Senates chance to make peace. After
the House adjourned without permitting a
joint session the point was raised that no
ballots to be taken on subsequent days
would be valid because the statutory pro-
vision had not been complied with to-day.
The legal advisers OF the House managers
said that they were satisfied. after careful
examination Of the federal and state con-
situations and the statutes of the United
States and of the State of Colorado that
it was not necessary for the Assembly to
meet to-day for the purpose of comparing
the journals IL Ii did not see fit. 1t was adj
mitted that when the two houses did meet
it would be necessary to go ahead with
| the balloting and that one ballot must be
| taken on each legislative day thereafter,
| but 1t is contended that there was
| quirement that it must meet to-day to COM
| pare the journals. Mr.. Stewart one of the
Republican managers, said the subject had
| been gone over very carefully by able at
| torneys and they were unanimously of opin-
| ion that Ii was not necessary to meet in
| joint session to-day or tomorrow.
The Republican senators held an execu-
| tive session to-day. Lieutenant Governor
| Haggott presiding, and at the conclusion
the members said there was nothing to
| give out" They adjourned until 10 o'clock
tomorrow. All efforts TO bring the two
Senates together have proved unavailing.
| Ladders and ropes were found this morn
ing in the ante-rooms OF the House gall
| lery Who placed them there Is not known,
| but il Is presumed the purpose was to af-
| ford means for the Democratic senator's
to enter the House chamber if an effort
| had been made to exclude them from the
joint session. The ropes and ladders were
/ removed