Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1893 — CAMPED IN THEIR SEATS [ARTICLE]

CAMPED IN THEIR SEATS

KANSAS HOUSE AFRAID TO ADJOURN. Rival Faction* of the Kansas Legislature Hold the Fort for Twenty-four Hours— Neither Side Will Surrender— A Compromise Proposed. Night %>ent in the Capitol. Two bodies of law-makers. In the same hall, each with a speaker of Its own, and claiming to be the lawful Assembly of the State, is the situation here, says a Topeka, Kan., dispatch. At 1 o'clock In the morning, when it became apparent that no move could be made by the Populists until the Senate should meet, an armed truce was declared, and each side relaxed somewhat its vigilance. Speakers Douglass and Dunsmore agreed that neither side should attempt to transact business during the night, and they retired. Blankets were brought and a Joint bed was made up for them behind the Speaker’s desk, where they enjoyed more or less undisturbed repose. The other members of the two houses were less fortunate, being obliged to sleep In chairs, on the floor, or in any nook or corner not otherwise occupied, During the night the Republicans prepared a memorial to the Governor, signed by sixty-four members who had certificates of election from the State Oanvasing Board, certified to by the Secretary of State, setting forth that they, a majority of two of the whole number of members, had participated in the Republican organization and petitioning him to recognize that body as the legally constituted House of Representatives. This communication was taken to the Governor at midnight. He was aroused and accepted the document, but told the Committee presenting it that he had no statement to make. At 7 o’clock in the morning the members began to arouse themselves and to cast about for breakfast. Sandwiches and coffee were served in the cloak-rooms and then began a three hours’ wait for the assembling of tho Senate. The Populists’ plan for bringing things to an issue contemplated an imEortant move at 10 o’clock, to which our the Senate adjourned ths previous day. The plan Involved the recognition of the Populist House by the Governor and Senate, which is ruled by a Populist majority. This being done the Populist Speaker was to request the retirement of all persons not members of the House, including the members of the Republican House. If the latter declined to withdraw voluntarily then the Governor was to order the Adjutant General to lend his assistance in forcing them out, the latter being authorized to order out the militia to enforce his orders.