The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-22
ARMED MEN
in CAPITOL.
Colorado Senate Chamber Pa
trOlIed by Guards.
Pair Of Pistols on Every Desk
tn the House.
AFRAID OF WOLCOTT.
Has Developed Into g
Three COrnered Fight.
Democrats Hold Senate, ANTI
WolcOtt Men Hold House
While the WOlcott Faction Is
Trying to Break In.

2 Denver, Jan. 22.-The capitol has
warlike aspect today owing to the pres
ence of armed men in the senate cham
Der and of a strong guard of policemen
in plain clothes at all entrances to the
senate chamber. An unfounded report
that the national guard under orders
from Governor Peabody had taken pos
session of the state house probably had
its origin in the fact that House Ser
geant-at-arms Plumber had posted 80
guards in and about the house chamber
to resist an anticipated attempt Of the
supporters of Edward o. Wolcott. Re
publican candidate for senator to cap
ture the hall. On everv desk is a pair
of big revolvers and in the corners
stand many repeating shotguns. These
guards are commanded by Sherman Bell
of Rough Rider fame and James h.
Clark, who is noted for his fighting
prowess.
The house did not meet today. having
adjourned until Friday. but the anti
Wolcott Republicans in control OF the
organization will maintain their garrl-
son until the fear of an anticipated raid
has passed.
At the senate chamber no display Of
weapons is made. The guards are all
officers and patrol their stations quiet
ly.
The two senates, each of which refers
to the other as the "rump" are in ses-
sion today and no progress appears to
have been made toward a settlement of
the differences between them. The body
over which Lieutenant Governor Hag-
gott presides and which sits in his Of
flee consists of eleven regularly elected
Republican senators and eight ReDub-
lican contestants who were declared en-
titled to seats by the lieutenant COVER
nor and the eleven Republican senat tors,
4 the "a Democratic senators refusing to
vote when the question was put by the
lieutenant governor The body which
/ is holding the senate hall at the capitol,
sitting continuously, consists of "a reg
ularly elected Democratic senators and
two contestants who were seated in
place of two of the regularly elected
! Republicans.
Soon after opening today's session at
/ 10. O'Clock the Democratic senators Or
dered a recess until 1880, and a caucus
of the Democratic members of both
/ houses was held in the senate cham Der.
! Reporters We're excluded. United States
! Senators Teller and Patterson. ex-Gox-
ernOr Alva Adams, Ex-Governor Charles
! H. Thomas. Charles ]. Hughes and
/ Thomas / O'DOnnelI Democratic lead
ers, were admitted to the caucus evil
! IDENTIFY for the purpose of advising the
members as to the course that should be
pursued a the Joint session today
MesSrs. Adams. Thomas, Hughes and
! ODonnen addressed the caucus and
each of them declared that he was not
a candiate for the senatorshfp.
Senator Teller announced in a speech
that if his candidacy stood in the way
of an election he would withdraw.
At noon the Joint session was called I'd
order by Senator ". H Adams, Dresi-
dent pro tenn of the senate.
Only 49 members were present. Kelly
| and Madden, two house Democrats
being absent. On motion of Senator
Rush the sergeant-at-arms of the SEN
ate was made sergeant-at-arms of the
joint assembly and was ordered tc
bring in absentees.
Senator Palmer, a Republican, who
entered the chamber, was not permit
ted to leave when he attempted to dc
so.