Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-24
TO ALL COXEYITES.
Washington Gives Warning 10 tho Armies
Of Unemployed.
no WORK At The CAPITAL
No Food to Spare from the Necessities OF
the City's Own Poor-An
Appeal.

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 2.-After
conference with Mr.. s. T. Thomas, the
Attorney for the District. and Colonel
Moore. the Chief of Police OF Washing
ton. the District commissioners to-day
issued the following proclamation;
ITO Whom 1t May Concern:
whereas, II is reported that several
organized bodies Of men are approaching
the District of Columbia with the avowed
purpose 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 sympathy with the movement have
been invited to assemble In front OF the
National Capitol on the 1st OF May. proxi-
mo, for the purpose Of compelling favor
able action by Congress by mere force
OF numbers and physical presence:
And whereas, the constitutional right
Of petition does not justify methods dan-
gerous to peace and good order, which
threaten the quiet of the national capltaI,
and which are contrary to law ana op-
posed to the ordinary means OF obtaining
legislative relief under our system or
government;
"And whereas. II is declared to be the
intention Of this body OF unemployed ana
destitute people. not only to gather In the
Capitol grounds for the purposes Gfore-
said at the city Of Washington, but there
TO remain until their mission shall have
been accomplished;
"And whereas, the national capital has
been chiefly devoted to public business
and Is the centre of Federal legislation,
and as a result of its lack OF ordinary
means of affording employment, Is now
taxed to its utmost capacity In chari-
table efforts to care for Its own poor
and unemployed:
Now. therefore, the commissioners OF
the District Of Columbia, who are charged
with the duty OF maintaining peace and
good order. and with enforcing the law
| in said District, realizing the gravity OF
the situation and fully appreciating the
hardship which must come upon many
| innocent but misguided people IL this
ill-considered movement should be con-
| tnued, do hereby appeal, In the interest
| of humanity, and I'm furtherance or the
peace and good order which are enjoyed
under the laws in force In said District,
| to the good sense and patriotism or all
| those engaged In, or who contemplate
| taking any part in. the proposed demon
| stration, and urge them to reconsider
| their intention to come into the District
| of Columbia for that purpose.
| mo possible good can come from such
| gathering. and with no proper prepara-
| ton or means of subsistence. suffering
| and ultimate disorder will certainly en-
| sue. No wrong can be righted, no condi-
! ton OF labor ameliorated. no remedy Tor
| any existing evil realized by the contem-
| plated demonstration OF physical force.
| Every desirable end can be more certain
| ly and effectively accomplished by ordi-
| nary and lawful methods.
'"The commissioners. while in entire
| sympathy with all people out OF employ
| ment. and having no desire or purpose To
| deal harshly with unfortunate but honest
| men who seek relief by reasonable and
| la wful means. are in duty bound to give
| notice to those who are tempted under
| any pretext to swell the number of.unem-
| ployed persons already here that there
Is neither work for them nor means fol
| their maintenance in the District that
the law does not permit the soliciting OF
aims in our streets and forbids paradcs
assemblages, or orations In the CapiI
grounds. and the obstruction IF any pub
| lie grounds. streets. highways or avenues
| and the approaches TO public or private
i
| buildings.
| "The commissioners give notice also to
| criminals and evil-doers, who under cover
of q crowd of unemployed men In our
| streets may come here for the purpose OF
| crime and disorder that all such will be
apprehended 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 Columbia are adequate fol-
every emergency. and will be rigidly en-
| forced.
! (Signed) JOHN w. ROSS.
GEORGE TRUESDALL,
"CHARLES +. POWELL,
commissioners OF the District of Co
lumbia."
| The commissioners have acquainted
themselves fully with all the local laws
| which have reference to a movement
similar to that OF Coxey's. and 1t is un-
| derstood that they have decided that the
army can be treated as vagrants.