New-York tribune., 1903-01-22
GUNS GUARD CHAMBER.
4rmed Men Hold Colorado House
of Representatives..

Denver Jan 2f-There were runnors Of war
and plenty of warIike preparation at the State
House tonight Early in the evening the story
gained currency that body of armed men was
hidden in the State House with the purpose OF
seizng the Chamber of Representatives in the
night and holding it in TIE interest OF one Of
the Senate candidates.
To guard against such seiZur= Sergeant-at-
arms Plummer placed thirty armed men. under
Assistant Sergeant-at-arnns Sherman Bell who
was member OF Roosevelt's Rough Riders, in
the chamber with Instructions to protect it at
all hazards. Shotguns and large calibre
volvers very much in evidence. and it is not
thought likely that capture will be attempted.
even il It were planned.
The Democratic members Of the Senate
still in session. though most OF them went to
sleep on cots early In the evening. They
protected by score of policemen and deputy
sherffs.
A joint session of the two branches Of the
General Assembly held to-day, but only
Democratic members participated, and there
was no election After concurring in the ad-
iournment Of the House until o'clock Friday.
the Democratic Representatives proceeded to the
Senate Chamber, where the joint session was
called to order by Senator Adams. president pro
tempore of the Senate There were present
ffty-one legisla tors-twenty-s Senators and
twenty-five Representatives-the number
quired to elect Senator
Three Republican Senators who in the
chamber Withdrew before a ballot was taken
Sena tor Mcclure. a Democrat also retired after
the joint session had refused to excuse him from
voting leaving only fifty members present.
Several members objected the proceedings on
the ground that the joint session irregular.
and five Democrats besides Mcclure refused 10
vote On the joint ballot forty-fve votes were
cast all being for Henry NJ. Teller. The joint
session then adjourned until noon tomorrow,
The Republican leaders say that any action
Of the joint session is illegal. the House had
adjourned until Friday After the House ad-
journed without permitting joint session, the
point was raised that ballots taken on sub
sequent days would be valid. because the statu-
tory provision had not been complied with to-
day The legal advisers OF the House mana
gers however. said that they were satisfied,
after a careful examination of the Federal and
State constitutions and the statutes of the
United States and of Colorado. that it was not
necessary for the Assembly to meet to-day to
compare the journals if it did not see fit
The Republican Senators held an executive
session to-day. Lieutenant Governor Hasso''
presiding. and adjourned until 10 o'clock to-
morrow. All efforts 10 bring the two Senates
together have been unava1hns k.,
Three Republican Senators. Drake. toTnIoItn i
and Wood nave deserted the body over "Hich
Lieutenant Governor Haggott presldes'
only six regularly elected Republican senator = r
in that organization Conform ana W - 80 y1Soi
said, have signed pledge not " VIZ
cott for Senator. r4.o ,,-bo 7rera
Debated in the election began 10 arrive IN CHe
it, +tis5 11orning Some Of them said that they
~ coT7e in response to kilograms from speaker
Sanford. The supposition is that they nav nav
tean called 70 be in readiness 70 take seatS
sboT1d the House determine on 4 genera un
seating Of the Democratic members