Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-24

WASHINGTON, ID. C., April 23.-Ihe
Commissioners Of the District Of Colum-
bia took action to-day on the impend-
ing Coxey invasion. After long exec
utive session and consultation with the
attorney for the District, q manifesto
was prepared and given out, which calls
attention to the fact that the right OF
petition does not extend to the lengths
the Coxeyites appear to imagine. Those
who mediate coming to the Capital are
warned that only hardship and prlYa-
tion await them here, and informs them
that no good can come OF their proposed
pilgrimage.
Following is the full text OF the Com
missioners' proclamation:
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WASHINGTON, d. c., April %, 1894.
To Whom 10 May Concern:
WHEREAS, II is reported that several
organized bodies OF men are approach
ing the District of Columbia with the
avowed purpose OF securing such Con-
gressonal action as will relieve the con-
ditiou of unemployed laborers through
out the country; and
WHEREAS, All unemployed men and
others throughout the country, who
may be in sympathy with the move
ment, has been invited to assemble in
front of the National Capitol on the first
day of May proximo, for the purpose
of compelling favorable action by Con-
gress, by mere force OF numbers and
physical presence; and,
WHEREAS, The constitutional right
of petition does not justify methods
dangerous to peace aud good order,
which threaten the quiet Of the National
Capital, which are contrary to law and
opposed to the ordinary means OF OBJ
tanning legislative relief under our sys-
TEN of governments; and
WHE3EAs, II is declared 10 be the In
tention of this body OF unem ployed and
destitute people not only to gather to-
gether for the purpose aforesaid at the
city of Washington, but there TO remain
until their mission shall have been ac-
complished, and
WHEREAS, The National Capitol is
chiefly devoted to public business and is
the ceAtsge of federal legislation, and as
a result of its lack OF ordinary means
Of affording employment is now
taxed TO its utmost capacity
in charitable efforts TO care for its own
poor and unemployed; now, therefore.
the Commissioners OF the District OF
Columbia, who are char ged with the
duty OF maintaining peace and good
order and with enforcing the laws in
said District being sensible OF the grav-
ity OF the situation and fully appreciat-
ing the hardship which must come upon
many innocent but misguided people,
If this ill-cousidered movement should
be continued, do hereby appeal, in the
interest of humanity and in furtherance
of the peace and good order which are
enjoined by the laws 10 force In said
District, to the good sense aud patriot
ism of all those engaged in or who con-
template taking any part In the pro-
posed demonstration and urge them 10
reconsider their intention TO come into
the District Of Columbia for that pUr-
pose.
No possible good can come OF such
gathering. aud with no proper prepara-
tions or means Of subsistence, suffering
aud ultimate disorder will certainly
ensue. No wrong can be righted, no
condition OF labor ameliorated, no rem
edy for any existing evil realized by the
contemplated demonstration OF phys
ical force. Every desirable end can
DO more certainly and effectively
ACCOMPLISHED by ordinary and lawful
methods. The Commissioners, while 10
entire sympathy with all people out OF
employmeut, and having 90 desire or
purpose TO deal harshlY with unfortu-
nate but honest men, who seek relief
by reasonable and lawful means. are
10 duty bound to give notice 10
those who are tempted under any
preteXt 10 swell the number OF
unemployed persons already here
that there IS neither work Tor them nor
means for their maintenance 10 the Dis
trict: that the law does not permit the
soliciting OF aims In our streets and for
bios parades. assemblages or orations
in the Capitol grounds and the oostruc-
ton OF any public grounds, streets,
highways or avenues, and the aD-
proaches to public or private buildings.
The Commissioners give notice also 70
the criminals and evil doers who, under
cover Of crowd Of unemployed men 10
our streets, may come here for the pur-
poses OF crime and disorder, that all
such will be apprehended and sum-
marily dealt with.
And finally, they give notice 70 al
who come here against their advice and
protest, that the laws In force in the
district OF Columbia are adequate for
every emergency aud will be rigidly en-
forced. JOIN w. Ross,
GEORGE TBUEsDALI.
CHARLES r. POWELL,
Commissioners OF the District OF Co
lumbia.