Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-22
Extraordinary Situation in
the Colorado Legislature.
LIKE MILITARY CAMP
NO TROOPS HAVE BEEN CALLED
OUT YET.
Anti-Wolcott Forces Fear His Friends
May Attempt Bold Stroke
in House.

DENVER, Colo, January 2-Tne cap
itol has a warlike aspect today. owing to
the presence of armed men in the house
hamber and Of a strong guard OF ponce
men in plain clothes at all entrances to the
senate chamber. An unfounded report tna'
the National Guard under orders from
Governor Peabody had taken possession OF
the state house, probably had its origin IN
the fact that House Sergeant-at-Arms
Plummer had posted thirty guards In and
about the house chamber to resist an an
ticipated attempt Of the supporters OF Ed
ward o. Wolcott, republican candidate foI
senator, to capture the hail.
On every desk Is a 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 fight
ing prowess. The house did not meet to-
day, having adjourned until Friday, but
the anti-Wolcott republicans in control OF
the organization will maintain their gaTri-
son until the fear OF an anticipated raid
has passed
At the senate chamber no display OF
weapons is made. The guards are all off,
GERS and patrol their stations quietly.
Two Rival Senates.
The two senates, each of which refers to
the other as the trump" are in session to-
day. and no progress appears to have been
made toward settlement of the differences
between them.
The body over which Lieutenant Governor
Haggott presides and which sits In his
office, consists Of eleven regularly elected
republican senators and eight republican
contestants, who were declared entitled TO
seats by the lieutenant governor and the
eleven republican senators. the twenty-four
do In IN
the question was put by the lieutenant gov
ernor.
The body which is holding the senate hall
at the Capitol, sitting continuously, con-
ocratic senators and two contestants who
were seated in place Of two Of the eleven
regularly elected republicans.
Soon after opening the session at 10
o'clock the democratic senator's ordered a
recess until 11:3O am, and caucus Of the
democratic members Of both houses was
held in the senate chamber. Reporters
were excluded.
United States Senators Teller and Pat
terson. Ex-Governor Alva Adams, ex-Gov-
ernor Charles s. Thomas. Charles J.
Hughes and Thomas ]. ODonnell. demo-
cratic leaders. were admitted to the eau
Gus, evidently for the purpose Of advising
the members as to the course that should
Charges Against Democrats.
Considerable criticism was heard today
among the friends Of Senator Teller
of the action of the six democrats
in refusing to vote for United
States senator in the joint session of
the democratic members of the senate
and house. Although it is question u
whether a choice made at that ses.'on
would have been legal, inasmuch as .he
house had already adjourned over until
Friday, and only democratic members JONI
ed with the senate in joint session. YET
there are those who claim that had the
entire fifty-one members present at the
joi... session voted for Teller as they were
pledged to do he would have been entit.t d
to certificate of election and the seat IN
the Senate as his own successor. Charges
cratic state platform are freely maze
against certain leaders in printed stat =
ments.
Former Gov. Chas. 8. Thomas and for
mer Gov. Alva Adams, both democrats,
are quoted as denying any responsibility
for the turn of affairs in yeste: days joint
session and declaring answering loyaty
to Teller. This morning all was quiet L:
the state house. A published notice called
to conference at 10 o'clock.
Messrs. Adams, Thomas, Hughes and
O'Donnell addressed the caucus, and each
Of them declared that he was not candi-
date for the senatorship. Senator Teller
announced in a speech that II his candi-
dacy stood in the way of an election he
would withdraw.
der by Senator W. H. Adams, president pro
fannOre Of the senate