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MR. BECKHAM’S APOLOGY FOR CALLING OUT TROOPSm ■Evening Post Special Service.FRANKFORT, K\, March 23.— Mr. Beckham’s apology for calling out the troops is embodied in the following “explanation,” which was issued by the young man last night: *“To the people of Kentucky: In the present crisis which exists in our State, I feel it my duty to explain to you my position and to outline the policy which I intend to pursue in the earnest effort to restore peace,_ quiet and order to our Commonwealth. It was the policy of my distinguished and lamented predecessor to conduct this contest which has so much agitated our people in a way to commend his course to all law-abiding and conservative people of the State. That policy I have, to the best of my ability, also pursued, and intend to continue in the same line. In calling out the militia to protect the courts in Frankfort, 1 wish to say that no one is more averse to military rule than I am. I believe that it should be the last resort that any official should use, and I lament the necessity that requires it at this time. As your chief executive it is my desire and intention always to yely more upon the law than upon the bayonet, and I prefer to be supported more by the strong common sense and patriotism of our law-abiding people than by any military power whatever. Every honest citizen should submit without hesitation to the control of the constituted authorities and to the courts, the great safeguard of our liberties.“According to law the civil authorities of Franklin county have presented to me a statemeqt of facts whicii shows that a condition of lawlessness is threatenedhere with which they are unable to deal, and they have called upon me for assistance. I have, in compliance with thclr call, ordered here certain State tioops to; place themselves completely under the authority of the Sheriff of the county, with instructions that they shall assist him in protecting the court of this county from threatened intimidation as well as to protect the prisoners who are tried by that court on tomorrow.“These troops shall be strictly under the control of the civil authorities in preserving order and protecting the dignity of rhe court, that justice may be done to all parties. I regret exceedingly the necessity that requires such action and that there should be any who would seek to interfere with the action of the judicial tribunals in our State, but tbe condition exists and I must meet it.“When the situation is such In your capital city that the judges in your courts and other officials need personal protection from bodily harm and threatened Interference with their action, then I deem it my duty, as Governor of the Commonwealth, to give them such protection as they may need. Such Is tlie situation here now, and I intend that so far as I have the power to protect the courts, in my earnest efforts to uphold the law and to protect the c6nstltuted tribunals, I call upon the good and law-abiding people of our Commonwealth to aid and assist me not by physical force, but by moral support.“We have placed our cause in the hands of the law and Wft must continue to rely upon the law. Let no act of violence or lawlessness be committed anywhere, and let our people, who have shown such patience and conservatism heretofore, continue to show it. My great trust and reliance is in the strong common sense and integrity of the people of our State and trusting in that I believe that out of our present difficulty there will soon come peace, order and restoration of the law.“J. C. W. BECKHAM,“Governor of Kentucky.”(Kflm until ntln.,, 11 1__ .11
Newspaper Details
Louisville Evening Post
Louisville, Kentucky, US
Fri, Mar 23, 1900
Page 10
Full Page
Clipped by
University O.
KY, USA 17 Feb 2025
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