Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, January 8, 1891, Page 1

Page views left: 0

You have reached the hourly page view limit. Unlock higher limit to our entire archive!

Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.

Text content (automatically generated)

JTWENTIETH YEAR, HAST SCALP TAKEY A Soldiers Dead Body Foand Near Pine , Ridge Horribly Mutilated, A MESSAGE RECEIED FROM RED CLOUD. Ho fays He Will Come in With All His Followers. CHIEF LITTLE WOUND HAS A MISSION. He Will Tell the Story of His People's Wrongs in the East. WAR RECORDS OF THE MILITARY AGENTS. Eighteen Companies of Militia Pa- trolling the Frontier—Co. ‘ot on the Interview With Sece retary Noble. Pixe RinGe Acexoy, S, D. (via Rushville, Neb.), Jan. 7.—|Special Telegram to Tie Ber)—The fist instanco of a soldier boing scalped or otherwise mutilated according to the horrible code of the Indians, came toaio- tice yesterday, ‘Some scouts while patrolling sevea miles northwest of here, camo “across the dead and partly decomposed body of Do Franschetti of troop &, Seventh cavalry Franschetti was probably killed in tne heavy skirmish that took placea week ago in the vieinity of the Catholic mission. The dead wfoldier had been scalped and otherwise muti- "L. cdin @ manner too horrible for publi “tion. burial, The hostiles have witharawn fntoa canyon on the west side of White Clay creck, a point eighteen miles from They seem to have relaxed m ther intention of attacking the agency for the time being. Such at least is the report of spies and scouts sent from we, These reports will undoubtedly hold military operations in abeyance for a Noone can tell what an hour may bring forth, ‘The [ndians here at the agency to the num- beg of thirty or forty, headed by faithful and wild-ofd American Horse, L Royer and Cooper y A- The remaius were given a military here. me. heid o council sterday afternoon. e point of the council was that they were ©Opposed to the idea of substituting army oM- cers for civilians as agents of tho Indian de- partment. The delegation was composed of some of the most intelligent, best cdu and most civilized Tudians on the re: All is quiet here this morning, - Pay Major Baker, who left Rushvilie this morn- ing for the ugency with a wagon full of money to pay off the soldiors, is expected to arrive about 2 p. m, Some of the hostiles were scen Jeaving their camp last night and making their way over the country towards the various agen- cies, Whether their errand signifies disinte- gration or an effort to secure recruits is not yet known, thongh the scouts think the fo mer, Captain E. P. Evans of the Fifth in- fantry has been putin charge of tho surren dered Indians wounded in the late battle, An -~ \issue of 107 beeves was made this morning, W ORD FROM RED CLOUD. H$ Offers to Come In With All His Followers, Pixe Rinae Aaexey, 8. D., (via Rushville, eb,) Jan. 7.—[Special Telogram to Tur e, | —The situation remains practically the samoas that: of yesterday, with the exception that the difficulty is ouneday nearer settle- ment. What that settlement will be no one may tell, Couriers from among the hostiles repeat. * the announcement that nothing can arrest bloodshed, while at headquarters hopes are gutertaiued that the trouble will soon end in veace. General Miles has not yet heard from Big Road, Juck Red Cloud, He Dog and Little Hawk, who conferred with him on Monday last, and returned to the hostiles, He expects them tonight or early tomorrow. If, they do not come, then it s probable that but little delay will take place before he will tako the field after them, Late this evening the general received word from Red Cloud to the effect that he wauld come in tomorrow morning and bring all the Indians he could with him. The gen- eral thinks that Two Strike will accompany Red Cloud and that they may be followed by all the other Indians. General Miles re- ived from Washington a telegram announe- ing the approval of his suzgestion of putting the agencies where the troublo exists under wilitary control. This will give the oficors in charge authoriy to + exercise police regulations in any matter of- fecting the peace, good order, conduct and comfort of the Indians. General Milos 1s satisfied that this reform will inure to tue benefit and happiness of the Indians, He bases bis opinion upon the ree- ord of thomen whom he has recommended for the several positions at the Tongae river, Standing Rock, Rosebud, Cheyemne river and Pine Ridge agencies, The officers and their records evitomized are as follows : Captain Ewers, Fifth infantry, success- tully handled over two thousaud Indians at the close of the Sioux war and for four years, at Mandan, protected their families and in- duced them to cultivate their flolds and raise Iarge hords of cattle; Captain J. M. Lee of the Ninth infantry, suceessfully managed the Indians in Indian Territory in 1885 and the San Carlos Indisns fn Ariona in 1887; Captain T, E. Plerce, First infantry, served through the war, controlled the San Carlos Indiaus for years, n built irrigating ditches and induced his ¥yhargos to raise bountiful crops; Captain arnest, Eighth infantry, had charge of the ndians in California. Hels now sick, and In bis place Captaln J. H. Hurst has been appointed. His success- ful experience was In Arizona aud Dakota. Captain W, E. Daugherty, First OMAHA, THURSDAY MORNING ,_ JANUARY 8, 1891, had charge of the Indians in Calk foruia, where he stood for their rights whean- ever they were invaded. And all of these men served during the war and the aggre- gate of their life is 140 years, They have not yet been assigned to their stations. Milos al- wents still retain theie positions, army General believes, though the ks officer dian not alone in s will be able to improve the o matters, but io everything else tending to his advancement, Mus, Sykles, formerly superintendent of the Indian schools at this agency, has received permission of General Miles to take Little Wound to Chicago and the east. The lady hopes to have this warrior, who the hostiles, and disaffected, tell the story of the weongs of his people. She only & few days from Washington and bore @ letter from the presi dent to General Mites strength of which the request was granted. Tho lady ulso bore recommendations from Dr. M- Pherson and Dr. Gutsaulus of Chicago. Yellow Hair, who was wounded on the 30th ultimo, was brought fnto the hospital today He endeavored to prevent the aftack on C tain Jackson of the Seventh and got, botween the two fires. It is not known whether he was stracl by his own peoplo or by the sol- diers. Malical Inspector Bache reports twenty- tive wounded Indians and fifteen soldiers in the hospital, General Colby of the state militia has cighteen companies patrolling the towns of Gordon, Rushville, Hay ford and Harrison, extending 130 miles along the western boun- daryof the Pine Ridge and Rosebud agen- cies. The companies comprise 700 men. Buffalo Bill is assistant to Geneal Colby and will arrive ap the agency tomorrow to confer with General Miles. Colonel Baker of Omaha and Major Comegys of Cheyenne arrived tolay {0 pay the trooos in the field. It will require $6,000, Colonel Shafter, who has been on ave, returned tonight. 10- 1tural and educational is now among was one of those earliest ed returned po ago on the Valentine, Cody, Springs, Chadron, Cri sick The interview with Secretary Noble of the interior department, regarding the reports of alleged starvation of the Indians, Mouday, reached the agency this Among other things,the secretary is reported to have sald that the story of starving amoug the Sioux was & pure fabrication. The treaty of 1577 obliged -the gov ernment, he said, to furnish them with & certain amount of fool, clothing, implements, horses, cattle, ete., and until they became self-supporting. After ten years, he contivues, during which time the government spent millions with a view of placing the Indians on a self-supporting basis. Members of congress very properly began to inquire whether if. was the purpose of the governmeut to continue indefinitely and for- over the policy of feeding the Indians who persisted n living in idleness. They thought it about time, said the secretary, to test the ability of the Indians to support themselves and so the appropriation had been reduced $100,000. Not a very large amount, the secretary considered, when compared with the vast sum which the usual appro- priation called for, con- tinues the secretary, the Indian began to complain, but made mno effort toward feeding himself. The secretary, it is reportea—sincerely regretted that the recent action of the military had resulted in oloodshed, and congratulated bimself that his department was in no way responsiole for it. T'his interview provoked general discussion at the agency. Tue Bee represcuta- tive 1nvestigated the -subject and dis- covered that, on the 7Tth of last ovember, Secretary Noble of the interior department transmitted to the presidenta letter from the agentat tho Cheyenne river agency, S.D., dated the 20th of the preced- ing month, in which it is stated that the best means of preventing an outbreak among the Indians, on account of the ghost dances, would be to take the lead ers of the dangerous element out of the reach of their followers and also, that the only ef- fective way to stop the dances at that agency would be to use the military. In auother letter dated No- vember 10 tho secretary of the interior transmitted tothe president the reportof alagentin charge of Rosebud agency, h set forth that the Indians at that place were extremely dissatisfled and trouble- somwe an account of religious excitement dances), aggravated by al- most starvation; that there was but one ' remedy to apply, unless the Indians were to be permitted to control the agency, and that was fora sufficient force of troops to be sent to preveut an outbreak, which it was stated was imminent. “There were a number of other letters trans- mitted to the president, by the same official, referring to . other agencies and disclosing a similar state of af- faivs, the result of which, it is claimed, is the presence of the troops now in the field, in the departments of the Platte and Dakota. In view of these facts it is mnot understood here how the secrotary could give expression to tho views contained in the latest inter- views, unless he had forgotten the sub- stances of the reports transmitted by bim to the president. published morniug. Thereupon, (ghost FIRED ON THE PICKETS, An Attempt roSurprise Brooke's Com- mand Which Failed. Pixe Rinee Acexey, 8. D, (via Rushville, Neb,), Jan, 7.—A courier from the canip on White Clay creek says no new developments have occurred atthat point., Allare anxiously waiting for word to attack the hostiles. General Brooke and staff are encamped at Wounded Knee, whare they have established headquarters of the departmeat of the Platte, The cordon of troops is closing in around the hostiles in the valley of the White Clay creck. General Brooke has given instruc- tions to each commander of troops in this vi- cinity to patrol the country from ome com- mand to the other and see that no party of hostiles escapes. Late last night the camps weve aroused by shots from the outlying pickets about The. pickets | rode into camp and sald & band | of Inadians tried to surprise them, shooting at them from behind a pile of rocks. | They immediately returned the fir Asthe night was dark tho number of Indians is not known, but ju ng from the number of shots fired they must have numbered at lcast twenty, Two troovs of alry were hir- ried out to the scene, but on their v there they could find no Indians, During the firing oneé of the pickets was wounded. two miles from camp. Licut Pixe Rinor ant Casey Kille 1, excy, 8, D., (via Rushville, Neb.,) Jan [Special Telegram to Tue Ber.)—L nt E. W. Casey of the Twenty-second infantry was killed last nighit during a skirmish within two miles of Gen cral Brooke's camp by a Brulo squaw. RED CLOUD'S PURCHASE, st Shirting Back to the Hostile Camp. Prve Rinae Aaexey, S, D, (via Rushville, Neb.), Jan, 7.—[Spacial n to Tie Bie.]—The very astonishing discovery has by made, or claimed to have been made, that there are nearly three thousand five hundred Indians here at the agency now. The flgures seem incredible. A mistake must have been made somewhere. They were given me this morning by Agent Royer in reply to inquiries as to the number of Indians here as indicated by the issuing of 107 beeves today. These figures were ob- tained principilly by reports made to the agent by the heads of fumilies, Tndians em vloyed about the agency. About nine- tenths of the 3,500 aro smd to be sauaws and children, principally children. The idea has impressed allof us steadily that there was an unusually large number of children here and quite a large number of squaws, but I think I statea fact when Isay. that none of us have for a moment supposed there were any such number as just stated. That it is, and all along has been possible for Indians of uncertain attitudo concerning the matter of peace and war, to ship in here, one or twoat a time, either day or night and spend as much time as they please, is a fact that has caused a large amountof comment and added very materially to the cause for uneasiness No stronger proselyting power is possessed by any people or class in the world than that of Indian over Indian, and it is right here that is found the cause for the uncertainness of these so called friendlies at critical times. The great stampede of a week ago last Mon- day night is attributable, to a very large ex- tent, to the effective work, that had been going on up to that time, of hostile spies who had been visiting the Indians here, constantly, ever since the beginning of this trouble. A departure of vital import- ance then, that should have been inaugur- ated weeks ago, but that is needed more than ever at the present time, is a system of the strictest surveillance, whereby no Indian can the agency camp without first being thoroughly understood and vouched for by some of the older official members of the Indian police force. Agent Royer cannot be expected to know all of the 5,700 indians accredited to. this rescrvation, but he has a good sized force of trusted, thoroughly well posted Indian lieutenants, who undoubtedly do know nearly every one and who could spot the spies and dangerous mischief makers at a glance. The arredt and joiling of some of these prying He Carries hostiles would without a dount put a great check on this trouble making amoung those here who are really disposed to be peacable, and would also result ina much smaller num- ber of the blood-letting hostiles sneaking in here, particularly on days when supplies are issued and taking back quantities to swell the commissary on the border of the bad land The appointment from the president” of Captain E.P. Ewers of the Fifth infantry te take general charge of the surrendered Indians us prisoners of war and arrange their camp ground and draw rations for them from Agent Royer, is but one of six or seven other similar appointments around at the various agencies. From the highest official source have it that this 1s purely a war-times move for the sole purpose of giving the agents at those reservations effected by the present trouble the relief from the care of the cap- tured Indians, which is an absolute neces- sity. These military appointees will, I am further informed, have nothing whatever to do with the business of the agency and in no way partaie of the author- ity of an Indian agent. T was shown tho order appointing Captain Ewers and found the specitication of his du- ties as I have given them. It is claimed that while Jack Red Cloud was 1n here Monday night, on his peace es- vand to General Miles, he bought fifteen yards of ghost shirting and took it back to the hostile camp with him, This is butoneof a thousand little inci- dents that show how the ncedle of the war compass @n the camp of the hostiles is wabbling. One of the soldiers who had to do with the. handling of the Indian dead after the batle of Wounded Knee stated, in the presence of @ number of people, including myself, last night, that two out three of tje Indi whom they found dressed like squaws wero discovered to be bucks. The matter will un- doubtedly be given, with other assertions in connection with the battle, a thorough sift- ing. Should it be found true, ard I kuow of no reason for doubting the soldier tion, the fact will make a material change in the gencral phase of that affair, Anotter surprise in the matter of the num- ber of Indians here was given us this fore- noon when nearly a thousand young bucks, all well armed, put in appearance at the beef killing and, with a whoop, joined in the bar- barous work which Commissioner T, J. Mor- gan, head of Indian affairs, is now putting forth every effort to do away with. At least two-thirds of these armed bucks came in di- rect from the camp of the hostiles, When they bad secured & good chunk of beef and tied it to their saddles, thoy flew back to their camp, some eightesn miles north, American Horse, the one real chief who sto-d solid as a rock 1or peace, order and obedience, all throughout this trouble gave the young bucks au excellent talk this morn- Ing, when they had assembled for the beef killing, He cited the fact that those who had remained good and true to the goyern- ment were being well fed and cared for, But hetold them that if they must fight they should have maliness enough not to take their families with them into war thereby causing the inuocent to be slaughtered. Late this afternoon in response to an_ofier of £10 reward for the finding of the vody of Isaac Miller, an employe of the government herder, the remains were speedily brought in by an Indian of indefinabie attiiude, hpuad on the boards of & wagon, such as is most commonly used by graders for hauling _dirt, and was YHH) exposed to the view of the large numbers or squaws, Indian children and gray haired Indians, whose nature, in- stinct or whatever you please to call it, led them to burst ]urlh in laugh- ter at the corpse us though it ‘were a “Punch and Judy” show. Never be. fore in all my life have 1 been an eye-wit- “under authority ness to so revolting a spectacle, It was the first time that T had ever been convinced that there is something about the distorted re- wains of a white man, known to have heen robbed of life by [ndians, that gives satisfa tion to the average red man and that fu nishes him with a source of genuine As they logked, upon the victim of theiz brothers chery, they laughed hoartily, a hundred times more heartily than I haveever seen them laughon any other odcasion since my coming here, eight weeks ago. Thero was something awful in it, when considered as it truly must be, as an inborn trait or charac- teristic of the race. Miller came to his death at the hands of a: Indian to whom he had given up his only bed, his Tast meal of victoals on many an oc- casion, It was late in the afternoon of the bloody affair of Wounded Kneo the treachorous assassin anda_ anothe Indian met Miller on the prairie. The forme: said something about fight, Miiler told him that he didn’t want to flght, particuarly with a man whom he had thought enough ‘of to render any service in bis power, and Milier tossed him the ounly weapon he had, o rovolven, but the Indian had sniffed the blood of Wounded Knee battle, It had sent hin upon the war path. and catching and cockiug Miller's re- volver he exclaim You give o lead a8 afriend, I give you lead 0s an cnemy,” and with this'shot Mille squarely in tho forehead. This treacherous slayer of Isnac Miller is known, and if he is not killed in battlo before peace is restored, he will undoubledly swing froma govern. ment scaffold, as he'so thoroughly deserves. The slayer of Miller a companion, but whether the latter.” was an ac- complice is something yet fo be proved. One thing is true, however, that Miller was not only shot, but had his head beaten almost out of semblanco to the: nrx of a human who still remain being, The wounded soldiers here, being those who are in the most critical condition, are all doing well, Although none of them, perhaps, have passdd the danger point. As to the situation, ifremains so far as can be tiscertained, as oritigal and wholly uncert, s ever. Wo are pbmised another bogus Christ afiliction tomoreawy, in_the per- son of John St. Clair of MélFosc, Scotland. He arrived jn Rushville toaagl drunker than a lord. It is safe to @sert that he will remain here onl! S0 long a time as is required for him o make the a quaintance of the toe of Agent Royer's official boot. ‘There is o rumor here tonight which scoms to eminate from ofticiul civeles, to the effect that Commander Morgan of the department t Washington has resigned: GREAT WAR CORRESPONDENT, The Philadelphia Ledger Compli- ments The Bee's Representative. Referring to Tur Ber’s maguificent re- vorts from the Indian country, the Philade hia Ledger, one of the most! conservative in the country, says: ‘Since the Crimean war demonstrated the possibilities of war correspondents, some of these reporters of events have made almost as much fameas the generdls whose deeds they criticised. The Indian war near the Pine Ridge agency hasdevelgped another war correspondent, as yet unknown to fame, who deserves honovable mention, He writes for Tie Ovany Bk, which pager hus been the chief source of information respecting the movements of the Indians. Twe Bee corre- svondent differs from mote famous war chroniclers in that he simplyirelates facts as he sees or hears them and criticism to others, He has been remarkiibly accarate in his statements, though sometips twonty-four hours ahead of government reports, and hs deserves honorable mentionyfor keeping a cool head and sticking 1o Tots, jnsteal of glovifying bimself after. taé¥ual faskion of. war correspondents.’ FEAR ANOTHER FIGHT. The Militiamen Being Sent North of the Railroad Towns, Rusuviuie, Neb., Jan. 7.-[Special Tele- gram to Tue Brp,] —Companies D and E of the First infanuly, regulars, that arrived here from the west last night were hurried to the agency this moming early. There is every indication that a great fight is close at adand from the unusual activity cireles it would scem us if some fears tertained that such an engagement will occur before the army s fully ready forit. Rushville being the mearest railroad town to the ageney, as well as the base of supplies both for the army and Indian service, The officers of theNational guard who arrived this morning have established headquarters here, and the mpvement of the militia now on the frontier Will be directed from this point. General Colby and bis staff, Colonel Cody and others have comfortable quarters, and have been oxtromely busy all weruing disposing of bodies of militia 50 as to bust secure th protection of settlements. They have kindly furnished your correspondent Wwith informa- tion that detachments of* gaards will be thrown out from five to ten miles north of the railroad townsand in such other local- ities us seem most in dungorybug there is not enough men to cover fthe - entire field exposed to the reservation. = Company K trom Central City, in charge of Captain Hanson; company H'from Nelson, in charge of Captain B, W. Sharp; recruits for company A from York, and' defachments of companies C, N amd I, _ First regiment, and O of the ' Second regiment, arrived last night and this morn- ing. They have all gone intotemporary camp hiero with the guards previously on hand be- fore marching to the front. 5 ‘The governiment paymastop arrived this morning and with his shekels was escorted to the agency by a detachmengof the Seventh avalry, A very mucl easior feeling pre- 15, not only in the towns but through the country, and peovle are calling. dawn_bless ings upon the heads of thosp who are instru- mental as well as responsivle for these meas- ures of protection to the life and property of the hardy pionecr, > en- THE INDIAN _:_ann Correspondence Exp alhing the Ad- m nistration's Position, WasiiNGroy, Jan, 7.-Correspondence was made public today explaining the. position of the administration on the fndian question. The first document is from. president to the secretary of war unden of October 81, fopwarding communicatiops, from the sec- retary of the interior regar the Messiah craze. The pr secretary of war to cause a personal investi- gation to be made by a difision or depart- went commander of the cendition of things among the Sioux and reportquickly. Inthe meantime the secretary should see that all necessary precautions are: taken to have the troops in that vicinity propared to co-operate in the execution of any ovders that may be adopted. The next is a letter from the pr esi dent to the secretary of war under date of November 13, transmitting commuuieations from the retary of the interior, commis- sioner of Indian affaws and agents at the differont points relating to the disturbed con- dition of the Indians and giving instances in which the authority of jhe agents and Indian polico have been vidlently defied. “The situatiun scems to me, added the president, %o be serious, The authority and discinline of the agents must be maintained and adequate aud early steps taken o provent any outbreak that may put iu peril the homes in _adjacent states. . You will thereforo assume the airection: and re- sponsibility for such steps as may be neces- sury to these ends, ¥ou will see that the tro0ps whoso services will be In requisition in the caso of an outbreak wre in & state of quick readiness to take and [CONTINUED OX s¥ thespread of dent directs the ovn]»ml‘ AY' EXCITING SCENE. Independents Insist That Elder Shall Pre- side Over the Joint Convention, MEIKLEJOHN'S AUTHORITY Hig Order That the Returns Be Opened and Published Ignored. PRECEDENT AND CUSTOM SET ASIDE, DEFIED, An Effort to Have the Contest Referred to a Committee of Fifteen, FOUR HOURS OF PANDEMONIUM, The Licutenant Governor Refuses to Yield His Position and an Ad- Journment is Taken Unt This Morning. Lixcory, Neb,, Jan. 7.—[Special Tologram to Tue Bee.|—Both houses were virtually at astandstill up to neon. The dignified sen- ators were waiting all morning for the rep- resentatives to get ready for the all import- ant joint session. Baly M the day the oficial announcement of this fact was made to the house. The .represent- atives were wrangling all morniug over tho J seats. T'he great crowd spectators listened amused, Av acommittee of five was sent from the house to the senate to inform that bo. iy that they were ready to confer with a similar committee from the senate on tho matter of clection returns and a messige wss received from the senate announcing that a similar d boen appointed by that body. The house then adjourned until 2:0 afternoon session of the house Mr, Kruse of Knox offered the following resolu- tion: Resolved, That the jomnt rules governing the senate and house of the sesslon of 1880 he adopted, with the exceptionof rule 15, which shull be mended to read us follows: “When there shall be a joint convention of the senate nd house, the prod s shall be ent length on the jou 1 of cach hou er of the h shall preside ov nd the secretary of the lerk, assisted by the chief clerk of the house,” Taylor moved the previous ques adoption of the resolution, which was carried, and the resolution ' was finally adopted, but not without vigorous opposition on the part of the democrats, Whi of Cass refused to vote on the ground that the house had no constitutional ght to change the rules pending the counting of the vote for state ofticers. Under a resolution by Schroder the follow- ing officers were elected : Mrs. B. M. Gilles- pic, postuistress: Miss Jeunie Carrothers, assistant; W. M. Brown, assistant door. Kaoper 1. J.«Young, mail carrier, Janitors— 5. B. Hughes, M, Murphy, M. T. Ward, S. E. Keene, 7. J. Ronnick. Assistant sergeant- at-arms, 'W. 0. Dungan; custodian of the cloak room, I, M. Carr; speaker's clerk, W. H. Daiton. Ten pages were also electod. “The committee on seats reported thit th adopendehia. shoult sloct oiia on -th teit of the speaker, and ¢he republicans and dem- ocrats on the right. The recommendation was adopted and a_fifteen minute recess was taken to make the selection of s The republican and demos bers of the house were astounded by Speaker Elder coolly announcing during the session that there would be no discussion or jangles amongthe independents on the floor, and that their differences would all be settled in caucus. While all this w in progress in the house, Licutenant Governor Micklejohn surprised the mdependent senators by a ruling that somewhat upset their plans. Senator Poyn- ter of Boone, moved that a commitlee of three be appointed consisting of Collins, Beck and Christofferson, to confer with a like committee of the house to set a time for canvassing the election returns, The chalr ruled the motion out of order holding that no business would be in order until after the organization of the house, as a conference of the joint committee took precedence of all other business. The senate then adjourned till 2 o'clock p. m, At3 o'clock the house and senate went into joint session fortne purpose of canvass the votes cast at the last general election, As soon as the two houses were fairly seated in joint convention it became evident that trouble was at hand. The house haa just amended the joint rulés, providing that the speaker, and not the lieutenant governor, should preside over the joint convention, when the senate was announced, and that vody had taken no action on the matter, “T'he lieutenant governor taking his position unopposed, behind the speaker’s desk, spoke as follows: ‘Gentlemen of tne Joint Convention—By virtue of the authority in me vested as lieu- tenant governorof the state of Nebraska, I now doclure the house of representatives as duly organized; that there is now present a majority of each house of the legislature, to witness the opening and publishing of the re. turns of the general election held within and for the state of Nebraska, on tho 4th day of November, 1850, of the votes cast for the members of the executive departments and provosed amendments, Mr. Speaker, you will now proceed in accordance with the ¢onstitu- tion to canvass the said yote, Speaker Elder asked: *‘How will you have the contest disposed of " [Hisses,| Senator Stevens of Lincoln introduced the following resolution : Whereas, A contest for certaln state offices is now pending, Resolved, Phit the co of the votes be suspended until the contest is decided in the manner preseribed by Law, Resol Thut the publication” and’ an- nounc| the vote shall not be constr & right to either con- testants or 10 the respective offices, Resolved, That there be a speclal commit- tee of fifteen—six from the senato and nine from the house—to whom all questions relut- ing to these contests shall be referred, und who shall have (ull pover tosend for persons and papers, and shall report to tuls Lody as s00n s practicable. Jonn C. Watson arose at this juncture and proceeded, amid loud objections from inde- pendents, to make a point of order that such @ resglution could not be entertained as it would be contrary to the constitution. Speaker Elder proceeded to put the motion on the adoption of the resolution, but Presi- dent Meikiejohn, in a clear and distinct voice, stated that according both to the joint rules of the two houses and by & usage running back to twenty one sessians, he was the legal presiding officer of the body and proposed to 50 _act, This statement was recelved with loud cheers by both democrats and republicans. Speaker Elder sat down, vrotesting in a rather inaudible voice that ke was the pre siding officer. Confusion now broke loose and membars on all sides called upon the speaker to **put their motions.” Quiet being comparatively restored; President Meiklejohn in a firm volce, quoting the constitution and citing authorities for his action, sustained the point made by Watson, und declared that nothing would be in order except tho opening of the returns by the speaker and publishing the result of the election Cheer after cheer from the excited ana jubilant democrats reut the alr av this an- nouncement, Senator Stevens (ind) of Lincoln county now urose uud appealed from the president’s decision. Mr. Meiklejohn, extending his hand, and amid galmost breathless silence, said: 1 must hold that this being & plain and palpa- ionon the ratic mem- nting and publishing ble violation of the constitution, appeal will lie. Pandomoninm now reigned supreme, snator Stovens at length the gaileries be cleared, but W hite was on his fect in an instant, insisting th, 5 the legislature could not 8it with closed doors, This demand had a salutory effect upon the erowd, and when the noiseé abated somewhat, President Meiklejohn, turning to the speaker said: “Mr Speaker, | now ask that you proceed to open and publish the ro- turns of the last gencral election in accord- ance with the provisions of the constitution of the state of ka. " SpeakerElde,in reply, said: “Noticehaving beon scrved upon me that a contest is pend- ing in regard to cortain statooMcers, Tdecling t0 4o 80 until so directed by this joint conv en- tion " Meiklejohn repeated the demand amid tho 1 din rmsed by the independents. aylor now moved to adjourn ock tomorrow, but the lieutenant-gov- nor ruled that if this should carry in his opinion this legislature could transact 10 legal business Patrick Ford of Omaha now got the floor and shouted that no adjournment cogd bo taken, as they might keap on adjouraing all thay of Cas until 10 Ider by this ered his breath, and dependents put and declared it iflno indenendent moved from his seat, John C. Watson again go. the floor.and made a conciliatory speech, hoping the mem- bers would not act like sehool boys or ward bummers, but would remember that they were sworn officors of the law, and bound by theiv oath to oboy tho constitution President Meiklejoln again demanded that the speaker open the returns, and that oficer proceeded to do 80, when Attorney Lamb rushed up and whispered i his ear. and ho immediately desistod Pat Ford of Omaha o demanded what the proh doing withthe retums, conching the speaker. Speaker Elder braced up again and put the Stovens resolution and declared it carried Republicans and democrats abstained fron voting, The resolution was mow read by Assistant Clerk Holden, and it looked as if the independen ts had carried the point, but President Meiklejohn aeclired the miotion had not been entertained and again de- manded that the spealcer proceed with his duty. Sneaker Elder now read a list of members muking the committe of fifteen called for by the Stevens recolution, and the members named, with Stevens at their head, came for- ward, and for a moment it looked as if they would carry away the returns and other pa- pers, but “wiser counsel prevailed. ‘Tom Cooke was observed standing near the speaker, and some indopendent called attea- tion tothe matter and stated that Cooke might make away with the papers, Speaker Elder declared that Cooke could not getaway with the papers so long as he was there, and he would defend them with his life, which provoked roars of laughter, Senafer Stovens now ma speeeh, discluiming on the part of the inde- penc ny desire to violate the constitu tion, but insisting that each member had the cight 1o construe thatinstrument, [or him- self he was answerable only o his own con- science, Speaker Elder got in another speech, say- “My God, boys, settle this thing, 1 am ready to go ahead’ when so directed by this joint convention. 1 have faced enemies before and am not afraid now." Senator Ciristofferson of Douglas now got the floor and proceeded to talk against time, reviewing the whole situation and declaring that Boyd should rivst be seated, and then the contest opened in regulir form, citing authorities to sustain his _position. Fle was subjected ton mercitess fire from the ince- pendents, Stevens (ind) of Furnas made a lengthy speech, insisting that the farmers had a right to put their own constrietion upon the con- flfiéfigpuudb;huuld ot allow thomsciyes %o lown 0ne an’s power. (Stovens (ind.) of Filmore spolce In thosame strain Motion after motion to adjourn was put by the speaker and declared carrvied, but stiil the independents held their seat: Krase of Knox rushed up to the clerk’s desk, demanding that the speaker suould put their motions. and defied the lieutenant gov- ernor, who threatened to put him under ar- rest. During a lull in the proceadings an ant sereeant-at-arms demanded of the presi- dent whether they were bound to obey his orea, “As long as [ am presiding oficer [ think I have the power to control the employes of this body. But still his orders were disoboyed. Kesson (rep.) of Lancaster finul floor and said, *“If it were notfor the presence of some two by four lawyers (referring to Lamb, Allen and Strickler) this wrangle would never have occurred.’ President Meiklejohn now turned to Spealk- er Elder and sternly said: “As presiding ofiicer of this joint conven- tion, T again demand that you peoceed to pe form your duty. Will you open the return. count” the ballots and pubiish the result a cording to che constitution yon have sworn to support Again Speaker Elderafirmed that he would leave the matter to the convention, and was answered by a ringing cheer from the inde- pendents. Dunu (ind) of Colfax shouted out, **Lot us drop both Boyd and Powersand put Richards in for governor,” which put both sides in comparatively good humor. Christofferson disclaimed having any ani- mosity towards Powers, but hinted that a third " party (meaning Thayer), unless all the forms of Law were complied with, would use this s a pretext to seizo tho oftic The motion to adjourn being awain pressed, the president said that as the seal had been broken nothing was in order but to open and complete the count, Elder shouted out that the package was not seuled; that he had only untied th ing, woich again brought down the house, The motion to adjourn, coupled with a pro- viso thut the returns should remain in the bossession of the speaker, was renowed, This frightened Elder, who eried out, ** don't think these returns should go out of this capitol. 1 don't want to take them to my room down tows and try and prowet them You have a governor and supreme court, and a secretary of state, who have the safes, and let them keep the roturas. I call upon you to protect me. ! A motion that the speaker and lioutenant governor should jointly act. as custodians was met with a flat vefusal by President Meikl john. After four hours of incessant jangling, votn sides being worn out, Mr. Watson, through Chureh Howe, offered the following That this convention take a recess until 10o'clock tomorrow, and the returs he placed in the custody of the secretary of state Prosident Meiklojoln called in valn upon the clerks to read the resolution Finding that they would not do so, he read the resolu- tion himself and pat the ' motion, which ca ried unanimously, Church Howe then arose and stato was rumoredon the floor that the re been tampered with, and that the from oue county bad beea abstractod This brought KElder 10 his feet, who hastened to assure the convention thot he had kept the returns under his eye ail the time, and hat the rumor was absolutely without any foundation, Secretary Cowdery at length appeared,took charge of the return, and the members and vast audience poured out of the capital buila- ing, Thus ended the first day’s contest in what promises to be the most exciting political struggle in the history of tho state, The in cpendents are now in caucus, and under the advice of their attorneys will' probably seise control of ~he joint convention tomorrGw an d oust the lieuteuant governor from his right- £l position as president. The foeling on both sides is intense, and ‘many predict that open yiolence may yot follow, In the morning the battle will be renewed, and whaj the outcome may be is be jecture, time had recc t the demand of the in- lor’s motion to adjourn ain got the floor and bitlon lawyer was aud why ' he was de an impassioned assist- Me- got the 1 that it uros had ballots oud con- Laxcory, Nab., Jan. 7 Ber.|—The lidepenaents were b out generalel today by the bold and gritey Mciklejohn, lieutenant governor. When h replied to the appeal of Senator Stevers, that lal to Ly demanded that | e NUMBER 204, from o plain o construction of the constitus tion an appeal will not lie, bo struck the key mote of the situation, anud by one mister stroke practically settled the yhole controversy, Had the senator from Lincoln proceedad to put his own appeal, as many exe pected he would do, the situatior would have pecomme very serious indeed. Meiklejohn held his place, and every timo the speaker put a question he declared thequestion not carried, and though cvery off and clerk was agiinst him bis ‘decisions were finally aoe coptec IThe U parlinmentary sk | Wisan never — eame nasterly mi il of John in botte play aul the ment of th 1se by Christofferson won the admiratiou of even | the independents. At one timo it looked as if Lioutenant Gove eruor Meiklejohn would be removed by force. Representative Schroeder moved down . the atsio and faced the oMeer, declaring that they did not recognize him, and calling upon the speakerto put his motions. Kruseof Knox wilked up to the clerk’s desleand wonld not sit down. An assistant santat-arms openly dofied the prosiding ofier, and the arms of the senate did hot put in ppearan ce. otion toadjourn at 5 o'clock by the speaker and declared carried -no re- publicans or democrats voting -but still the members remained, held in- thoie places by the firm and resolute couduct of the presid- C. as put itor Christofferson at | the floor and spoke for nearly an hour on the | muerits of the case. Church Hawe finally in- | troduceda resolution, providing that recess should be taken, and the president ruled this motion inorder. The clerks of both house ®ud senate refused to obey the order of the president, and Lieutenant Governor Meikle- John read the resolution himself, and tho motion carvied withno opposition. length obtained A Mndamus Served on Elder. Lixcony, Neb., Jan, 7.—[Special Telegram tc Tup Bie)—A mandamus, issued on petition of State Auditor Benton, hus been setved on Speaker Blder, requiving him to proceed with the counting and publishing of the returns as requirod by the constitution. It is rumored that the independents in cavcus decided to ignore the writ, and ugly rumors arcafloat to the effect that they will eny ad- mission to President Meiklejotin to the hall of the house tomorrow, or refuse to recog- nize himas president of the joiut convention. Legistative Notes Patrick Ford of Omahahas undertaken the o of couching Speaker Elder, Chaplain Diffe bacher oficiated from the clerk’s desk for the first time this morning, The capitol is literally overrun with boys and girls, all expecting to be appointed pages, Spealker Elder is proving to be a natural huniorist, and bis humor crops out on all oo- casions, Itlooks now as if all important legislation will be determined in the secret caucus of the independents, Pat Ford of Douglas moming by puzzling the speaker mentary points, Church Howe has finally been recognized, Speaker Blderappointed him a member of the committee to arrange for the drawing of seats, Speaker Elder, Chief Clerk Johnson and Assistants Halden and Bigelow uppetved bo- fore Chief Justice Cobb this morning and took the oath of office, od natured Tom Cooke s proving in- valuable to the independents iu the organiz- tiou of the house. They find 1t almost ime possible to dispense with his services, At their caucus last night and this morn- ing the independents decided to wiive the canvass of thevoteon the state officors and refer the contest to a joint committeo of fif- teen, While a motion to appoint three from each ariy Ko provide for drawing seats was pend- ing the inqul “How many,, a representod hePa? was raised and tho speaker replied, *“There hadn’t ought to b v, which provoked a roar. There are only seven lawyers in the house —three repu blicans and four democrats. The republican members are Church Howe, John C. Watson, and Cornish of Lancaster, The democrats ure Breen, Bertrand, Capek and Felker, ull of Omabi. There 18 not a single lawyer among the independents, Burrows is working might and wain to have the legislature exclude all daily papers from both houses. The republicans and democrats declare that. Burrows will run aguiust ag if he attempts to force the independents w carry this through, Repro- sentative Watson will champion the cause of the daily papers, amused himself all on parlis- ol THE KANSAS SENATORSHIP. An Interesting Letter the Alliance Or, Torers, Kan, Jan, 7.—The Alliance Advo. cate, the organ of the Kansas state farmers' alliance, in to-day’s issue pablished a letter ngressman I, J. Turner of Kansas to Frank McGrath, prosident of the Kansas farmers’ alliance. in connection with the pending senatorial contest. T'he letter has created considerable of & sensation in political circles. The following excorpts are taken from it ““Ingails will try to force his election or drive alliance men into a caucus to agree upon their man in order to foree the election of an alliance man 50 he can carry the party down with him, Have just recelved a letter from Farwell at Osborn and he says their ropresentative does notlike the alliance eandidate and would vote for some good republican, but not for Inealls. Farwell wants to know if I want his vote: thinks it can be had. I saw & ator Berry o1 Marshall here yesterday. 1s positively opposed to Ingalls, but vote for him if there is no other publican. Judgo Perkins asked me talk to him inbis (Perking') interests and I did so. [ told him to talk to Senuor Wilson of Hays City.ns T thought he folt as Berry did. 1 shall writo Wilson tonight. and sk him what he thinks about the possibilityof my election. I have n money tospendin the fight. I T succeed could” and would put np $5,000, but it s dif. cultto use it that wa ou may haye some friends who would be willing to take such a cnance, w, T will leave the whole matter with you and Wilson and abide the results with conten Un- less Tnglls s some all votes he will goin with 62 who will vote for hima reasanabls number of times, but as soon as their instructions are completed thoy will him. Some of the alliance candidates xpect to zet some republican votes when they leave Tngalls. That would keep all of them in the fiell. Codding thought he could get the republican vote when Ingalls was out of the way. Of course the alliance ucus would nawme s man and a time to set- tie it This letter came to Me( other correspondence and w confidentinl ~cleck, who turned it over to Chalrman Chase of 1 ance legislative committee, Coples wore mada of the letter ana the oviginal was turned overto Me. Grath. ‘The allianca leaders then d Mo Grath to give the letter to the public and clear himself of any ‘susplcion which might attach to the proposition contained init, He refused togive the letter to Chairman Chase for publicity, knowing nothiog of the copl's having been ‘mide. Chase then turned over his copy the letter tothe oditorof the Advocat Accompinying the publica. tion s & nowe - by the editor, Dr. McLally, saying: “Wa recrot the position in which 1ho publicationof this lets ter pluces the president of the state alliance d member of the executive board (Cod- ding). Wo leave thom to xplava. tion as thoy may have to mike o5 that are unfounded fu interest cument ave worthy of some conside at this time, We expect this publication to lead to other de which we shall give to our readers as the plot unfolds.” Mctivath said tonizht thay the alliance o cors were at Hberty 1o inspect all his lotters, He could not prevent peoplo frow wiiting to him, Furlher than tiis he would not tal* He will o to ath's office with as opened by his a0 1 St

Other pages from this issue: