The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-05-09
A WARNING TO COXEY.
Proclamation Of the District Of CO.
lumbia Commissioners.


Although General Coxey's "army" was not
expected to reach the borders of the District
OF Columbia for at least week, the local au-
thorities at Washington decided to take
time by the forelock and ''warn of" as
warrants and trespassers the COL
Capital. It was decided that Coxey's
battalion of Commonwealers should not be
allowed to invade Washington as an organ
lied body, and that If any such attempt
were made the District authorities would
not hesitate to call out the military, II
necessary. The advance guard OF the army
and Its sympathizers who had been talking
about turning the Capitol grounds into a
camp and demanding that Congress provide
subsistence for the men determined to re-
arrange their plans.
The District Commissioners held long
executive session and consulted In detail
with 8. T. Thomas. the attorney for the Dis
trict. Then the following manifesto was pre-
pared and given out:
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE
DISTRICT OF CoLUMB1A,
WASHINGTON, April %, 1884.
To Whom 1t May Concern
Whereas, It Is reported that several Or
ganized bodies Of men are approaching the
District of Columbia with the avowed pur-
pose of securing such Congressional action
as will relieve the condition Of unemployed
laborers throughout the country and
Whereas, All unemployed men and others
throughout the country who may be IN sym
pathy with the movement have been invited
TO assemble In front the National Capitol on
the first day Of May proximo, for the purpose
of compelling favorable action by Congress
by mere force OF number and physical pres
ence; and
Whereas, The constitutional right petit
ton does not justify methods dangerous to
peace and good order. which threaten the
quiet of the National Capital, which are con-
trary to law and opposed to the ordinary
means Of obtaining legislative relief under
our system Of government and.
Whereas, It is declared to be the intention
OF this body Of unemployed and destitute
people, not only to gather together for the
purposes aforesaid al the city OF Washing
ton. but there to remain until their mission
shall have been accomplished; and,
Whereas. The National Capital is chiefly de.
voted to public business and Is the centre OF
Federal legislation, ,and. as aresult OF Its LACK
Is now taxed to its utmost capacity In chari-
table efforts to care for its own poor and un-
employed now, therefore,
Tho Commissioners OF the District OF
Columbia, who are charged with the duty OF
maintaining peace and good order and with
enforcing the laws in said District, being
sensible OF the gravity of the situation and
fully appreciating the hardship which must
come upon many innocent but misguided peo-
pie If this ill-considered 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 in force in said District. to the good
sense and patriotism OF all those engaged IN,
or who contemplate taking part in, the pro-
posed demonstration. and urge them to re-
consider their intention to come into the
District OF Columbia for that purpose.
No possible good can come OF such a
gathering, and, with no proper preparations
or means of subsistence, suffering and uitl-
mate disorder will certainly ensue. No wrong
can be righted, no condition OF labor anello-
lied By the contemplated demonstration OF
pbysical force. Every desirable end can
be more certainly and effectively accom-
pilshed by ordinary and lawful methods. Ihe
Commissioners, while In entire sympathy
with all people out Of employment, and nay
ing no desire or purpose to deal harsnIy
with unfortunate bur honest men, who
seek relief by reasonable and lawful means,
are In duty bound to give notice to those who
are tempted under any pretext to swell tae
number Of unemployed persons already
here that there Is neither work for them
nor means for their maintenance In the Dis
triet that the law does not permit the solic-
ting OF aims in our streets, and forolds
parades. assemblages or orattons In the Capt.
tol grounds and the obstruction OF any pub
lie grounds, streets, highways or avenues
and the approaches to public or private
buildings.
The Commissioners give notice also to the
criminals and evll-doers who, under cover OF
q crowd of unemployed men In our streets,
NAV come here for the purposes OF crime
and disorder that all such will be appre.
bended and summarily dealt with.
And finally they give notice to all who
come here against their advice and protest
that the laws In force in the District OF Co
lumbia are ADEQUATE for every emergency
and will be rigidly enforced.
JOHN ". Ross,
GEoRGE TRUEsDELL,
CHARLES F. POWELL,
Commissioners of the District OF Columbia.
In the United States Senats Mr.. PETERS
resolution to appoint q nttee TO receive
and hear the complaints ot Coxeys crowd
was defeated by the following vote:
Yeas-Aldrlch, Allen. Allison, Cullon,
Davis. Gallinger. Hansbrou2h. Hawley. Kyle,
Martin, PETER, Perkins, Power, Shoup,
Stewart, Teller and Washburn-1I
Nays-Bate, Berry. Blanchard. Chandler,
Cocktail, Coke, Frye, GEORGE, German, Gray,
Harris, Jones (Ark. }, Mcmillan, Mills, Nit
chell (Wis.) }, Morrill,, Palmer. Paseo, Pagn,
Roach, Sherman, Turpie, Vest, voorhees,,
woloh ond Whitp-26