The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-11
TEN YEARS OF ALABAMA
No. 55-The Ga rrisoned Capitol
1865-1874

The revolutionists of Alabama now re- lied but in vain on President Grant
 When general of the army he had been deeply involved in the quarrel between
 President Johnson and Secretary of War stanton, on Stanton's side lie took the
 side of Congress in all the desperate leg islation of that dismembered and fanati- cal body. The President had resisted the legislation by his veto and had made public disclosures of the generals incon-
 sistency to the latters prejudice.
 The wires and the mails of Saturday
 and Sunday spread abroad the news that Lindsay had been inaugurated and State Treasurer Grant had been declared elect ed. that Governor Smith had and Treas
 urer Bingham had bolted the doors of their respective offices, were fed through
 the windows and had published notice that they would not vaeate to the democrats who claimed election. The country for 100 miles around poured Into Montgomery on Snuday and Monday. Excited clusters of men crowded the hotels and streets.
 On Monday morning both houses assem- bled: but soon adjourned, so intense was the excitement surrounding them. The galleries and the lobp1es were thronged with anxious spectators. In the senate
 President Barr introduced. MT. E. H.. Moren as lieutenant governor and presi- dent of the senate' The lieutenant gov ernor took his seat and remarked that 1t was his purpose to leave all partisan feel ings on the outside of the door.
 | Clerk Phelan brought in the joint reso- | lution of the house, asking for 1oint | committee of six to inquire why United states troops were quartered in the cap | itol and proposing that all Legislative ac- | ton should cease until the inquiry should | result in a satisfactory explanation. The senate refused to consider the joint reso- lution. The presiding officer notified the l body that Secretary of State Miller had
 vacated his office in favor Of Parker, Just | elected. No important legislation was
 undertaken. but the senate met Tuesday
 and Wednesday and on the latter day ad-
 journed until Friday, with considerable
 opposition, led by worthy democrats The house refused to perform any act on | Monday except the adoption of the joint i resolution to inquire into the cause or
 the military invasion of the capitol, etc. | S3 to 20.
 In the house on Tuesday Carlin, car
 petbagger from Marengo, and Harmount and Strobach, carpetbaggers, rom Mont
 gomery entered their respective protests
 against the record of the journal Of Sat-
 llrday in minor matters
 Leaders of both political parties agreed
 to call mass meeting Monday night 1 November 2s. in the hall of the house to 1 calm public prejudices. Speakers from both sides occupied the stand. Attorney | General Morse was the main orator for 1 the republicans. He was followed by Representatives Doster and Graham Of
 the same party. They denounced the con- duct of Governor Smith in his attempt
 to hold his office by the sword.
 Former Chief Justice A. J. Walker | spoke for the democrats. He ridiculed | the conduct of Smith. He said the de- | feated candidate was engaged in atr | tempt to suspend civil government and
 restore the military, and that there was | a "collusive arrangement between smith
 and Barr" If they were permitted to hold
 sway for day they might as well con | tinue through the two years term.
 i, The soldiers still stood guard at tho 1 doors of the executive chambers and the | treasury offices. Barricaded in his or fees, where he slept and eat, Smith re- l ceived communication from Governor | Lindsay demanding possession. Smith | replied in an elaborate argument, the gravamen of which was the allegation of | fraud in the election. He would submit | to contest of election but would not ac- cept the election returns without triaf. l It was known that Messrs. Rice, Par
 sons, Alex White, Associate Justice Saf- fold and Chancellor Fielder were advisers l of Smith. The problem was supposed to be less with claims and evidence in Ala