 Taft 's ruling had no bearing on the cases of Governor Taylor and Lieutenant Governor Marshall except to spell out a means for them to take their cases to the federal courts , if necessary . On the same day that Taft 's ruling was issued , Taylor filed suit in Jefferson County circuit court against Beckham and Adjutant General John Breckinridge Castleman to prevent them from exercising any authority due the offices they claimed . Unaware of Taylor 's suit , Beckham filed suit against Taylor for possession of the capitol and executive building in Franklin County circuit court – a court believed to be favorable to the Democratic cause . Marshall also filed suit against Beckham and state senator L. H. Carter to prevent them from exercising any authority in the state senate , where the lieutenant governor was the presiding officer . 
