The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1878-10-03
WASHINGTON, d. c.. September 9th 1871

WASHINGTON, L. u, september 21th, 1875.
If anyone outside of our fair city is unfamil-
lar with, and wants for the first time to experi-
ence the sensation of supreme disg gust he is in
vited to call here and be an eye witness of what
our good citizens have had laid to their forbear-
ance during the last few days in the M an fiesta
tions of Cohen, the vagabond labor disturber,
of whom we have had occasion to speak in a
former letter. Growing bOlder from the leni-
ency with which the authorities seemed dis
posed to treat him, which, by the way. his fol-
lowers construed into power. he gathered and
harrangued these tramps, and worked upon
them until they were ready to follow him into
any kind of mischief, under oaths to support
him OF die in the attempt. Imagine two hun
dred of these ragged and ignorant men in SOL
emn procession, headed by this crack-brained
leader. decorated with blue badges and scarfs
and wearing cavalry sword, max ing the rounds
of the public buildings, calling upon the heads
of Departments, demanding alleged rights and
issuing instructions to how public business
should be conducted, and you have an idea of
the fellows impudence, At the Agricultural
Department they forced their way in past re-
sisting officer. The Secretaries of the Interior
and Treasury gave them short audiences but
plainly told them the law was being faithfully
carried out in each of their dSp artncnts, which
would be adhered to. Nightly the space in front
of the City Hall witnessed this uncouth crowd
and listened to low, wild and incendiary Ian
guage. But who would resist laughing at the
ridiculous spectacle their last street parade re-
sentcd. This ape of power and show, Cohen. by
the aid OF hat collections from his crowd, hired
a carriage. and with his Secretaries. headed the
procession; next came cart hauling big bell
on which another negro. with a hammer. knock
ed out discordant sounds this was followed by
a double file OF white and black mixture of hu-
manity numbering about two hundred. Among
the many instances of reckless impudence we
will simply mention one. Calling upon the
prominent grOccrs, Hall & Hume, they demand
ed ratiOns :" for the boys !" These gentlemen
asked for little time to see to it, during which
interval they summoned the police. 1t is a sig
nificant fact that the Treasury is put under
guard by force of $50 men armed with rifles and
? companies of artillery. The authorities have
however tardily taken the matter in hand, and
these disturbances are to be summarily sup
pressed. In this connection it may be well to
add that the eight hour law has been adopted on
public works here. The wages are to remain
the same for the eight that was formerly paid
for ten hours. The workmen, however, will be
permitted to work the two hours extra and be
paid for same.
Think of one man having claim Of $780, OGO :
600 against a government too poor to pay it
Such is the predicament of Peru. and steps are
now CaklHS To before congress next WIN.
ter in order that that Government may be i'm
pressed with the morality of paying its honest
debts to one of our citizens. Some forty years
ago. Peru passed an act offering to any person
who would make valuable discoveries in her
territories. that would add to her wealth, one
third of the value of all such discovery. A
French scientist undertook the task. travelling
all through the Peruvian wilds. and succeeded
in bringing to light. and afterwards the exporta-
which the Government realized $500. 600 600
The One-third was SO large Peru could not pay
it and a compromise was agreed upon, but a
revolution breaking out, defeated the intention
The debt was finally repudiated by the Presi-
dent; afterwards revived, to again and again
sustain reverses. until the claimant had finally
exhausted all his money. His brother, q Louis :
ianian. came to his aid for One-half interest in
the claim, and now, at this late date, effort
is to he made Ia make it a nOtional matter.
1t will he a matter Of regret to all who know
the Hon Edward Mcpherson, and his zeal and
efficiency Chief of the Bureau of Engraving g
and Printing, that he is about to resign his inn
portant position to accept an editorship On the
Philadelphia Press. Ne predecessor took as
lively an interest, nor q greater pride. in the
Bureau and the work it turned out. Certainly
better executed money never before was printed
than was put into circulation during his incum-
bency. Ii the country is to have Greenbacks as
the only currency, Uncle Sam can now do the
requisite printing better than any other typo
or printer DEM0CRATEs.