The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-23
Repeating Shotguns in the Corners
and Guards Under Command of
Sherman Bell at the Doors.
STATUS OF THE COLORADO ROW
NO SENATOR YET ELECTED BY
EITHER wARRING FACTION.
Speech by MIR. Teller to His support
ers-DemOcrats Searching for
One of Their Number.

DENVER, Jan. 22.-There has been no
marked change in the contest for control of
the Legislature. The Capitol has a warlike
aspect to-day owing to the presence of
armed men in the House chamber 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 Pea
body, had taken possession of the State
house probably had its origin in the fact
that House Sergeant-at-arms Plummer had
chamber to resist anticipated attempt
from the supporters of Edward o. Wolcott,
Republican candidate for senator, to cap
ture the hall On every desk is a pair of
big revolvers and in the corners stand many
repeating shotguns. These guards are
commander by Sherman Bell, of Rough-rid-
ing fame, and James H. Clark, who is noted
for his fighting prowess.
Before the Democratic members of the
Senate and House assembled in joint ses-
sion at noon to-day they held a meeting at
which they listened to speeches by Senator
Teller and other leaders. United States
Senator Thomas II. Patterson said that
Senator Teller felt keenly the neglect of
six Democrats to vote at the joint session
yesterday, thereby defeating his election.
He said that the conference had been called
in order that Senator Teller might make
statement. A. ADAMS. Charles s. Thomas
and Thomas ]. O'Donnell declared that Tel
ler was the only logical candidate and
that the only thing for the party to do was
to elect him senator.
Senator Teller was greeted with applause.
He said he had not attended the meeting
for the purpose of finding fault He de-
clared that he believed the Democratic
party was paramount to the interests OF
any one man. He said that he had not
withdrawn. he did not intend to withdraw
If things came to such pass that the
party could not agree upon him, he was
willing that his friends should support the
party choice. Senator Teller said the Sem
ate acted properly in calling for the joint
session to-day. When the last election was
over the Democrats had a majority of ten
on the first ballot and by every precedent
in American politics the Democrats were
entitled to the senatorship. The senator
criticised the Republicans for their action
i'm tho House. He also denounced the Re-
publican senator's and held that the aues-
ion TO the Democrats was whether the
majesty of the law should be maintained.
The meeting then adjourned and at noon
he joint session was called to order Fifty
Democratic members of the Legislature.
me short of quorum, were present Rep
sentative William III. Kelley Democrat
vas absent and the Senate sergeant-at-
lrms was instructed TO bring in absentees
No attempt was made however to force
attendance OF Republican members.
Senator Barela announced that he had
been informed that the action of this Joint
session would be legal and he waived the
objection which he made yesterday 10 fur
her proceedings.
The Joint session settled down for a long
,iege, with the evident purpose of taking a
,ai4ot for senator providing Kelly should be
ound. IL was rumored that he had been
.idnaped by agents of Republicans or DEM
ocrats who wished TO have Senator Teller
defeated.
The Democratic senators who are holding