The Washington times., 1894-04-22
Large Delegation Of American Labor
Marched to the Capitol Yesterday.
ARE AGAINST THE TARIFF BILL
Over One Thousand Men Representing Penn
sylvania and New Jerse, Industries Pre-
sented Petition and Memorial to the
senate-All Proceedings Were Orderly

Men and women were in line, marching four
abreast. under the American flag and lutter-
ing banners, displaying notices opposed to
the Wilson bill.
The special train from Philadelphia which
pulled into Baltimore and Ohio station at II
O'Clock to-day carried $40 men. This delega-
tion was met by the company Of $50 which
had arrived yesterday. The depot fairly
bristled with special policemen. Major Moore,
the chief of police, with Lieutenant Kelly and
two sergeants, were on hand, and when the
procession formed it was guided by the lieu
tenant. In the front rank was carried great
silk American flag, which had been donated
by John Wanamaker for the demonstration.
Behind that was black banner with the
legend in gold letters "Non-Partisan Delega-
tion of American Workingmen from Bristol,
united in defense of their home industries and
to prevent transfers to nations hostile to a
Democratic or Republican Government"
The procession filed down cross street
and turned into Pennsylvania avenue. the
principal street OF the city. and marched
down twelve squares to Metzerott's hall.
Many Senators and Congressman walking up
the parade curiously. One of them was Sen
ator Quay. No demonstrations of any sort
was made by the spectators.
Gathered at Metzerott's hail. the commit
tees delegated to wait upon various Senators
made their reports. Ephrtam Rigg reported
that Senator Voorhees,, the chairman of the
Finance Committee. in charge of the bill, had
been written to. and had been called for at
his home and at the Senate, but could not be
found. Jeers greeted this announcement.
Delegates who had called upon Senators
Brice, Smith, and Murphy reported that those
Senators could not be found. Senator Hill
had promised to meet the delegates al noon,
and Senators Cameron and Quay had prom
ised to do all in their power to bring the
memorial of the convention to the attention
OF the Senate.
The resolutions adopted by the special COM
mittee were read by Secretary NJ. J. Kelly.
They were as follows: petition and protest
of American Workingmen to the Fifty-third
Congress of the United States, at mass meet
ing of representative wage earners OF the
United States assembled in Washington, d.
c.. (this Goth day of April, 1890. the following
preamble and resolutions were adopted.
Whereas for nearly ten months the business
of this country has been paralyzed, and the prom
ises of improvement in consequence of certain
financial legislation not realized; and
whereas, We see ourselves and others de-
prived of the means of livelihood by reason of
threatened revision OF tariff laws under which
we have been so prosperous, and by the contin-
uance of which, without prospect of change, we
feel assured that all business would be restored
TO its former prosperous condition; and
Whereas, The wages of labor in this country
uhuef Ihassaled pfotecuVe customs laws nave
been fully twice that OF the highest in any other
country; and
Whereas, Any reduction in the customs duty
on any article manufactured or produced in this
country means a corresponding reduction in the
wages OF labor employed in its manufacture or
production; and
I,,.
one class of workmen are the interests OF all;
ani
Whereas, We believe that all laws framed by
our representatives should be for the benefit Of
their constituents, the people of the United
States, and not the people OF other countries;
therefore
tives of millions of American workmen, without
distinction of party, hereby respectfully demand
of our representatives in the Congress of the
United States that no change shall be made in
existing laws that shall in any way deprive of
the capacity TO earn the full amount of wages to
which were accustomed during the years in
which there were no prospective threatened
changes In tariff laws TO prevent from provid-
ing for our families better homes better educa-
tion, and more comforts than in any other coun-
Try on the face OF the globe.
Then follows memorial addressed "To
the right honorable body of the United States
Senator'S" presenting for consideration the
sincere objections OF the memoralists to max
ing the Wilson tariff bill law of the land.
are then given, the first reciting that should |
the Wilson bill become a law its effect will be |
the depreciation Of all values In the United |
States 40 per cent. or more.
No precautions were taken on account OF |
the delegation at the Senate except those |
usually taken when a crowd is expected |
The men at the doors of the Senate galleries |
were instructed to see that there was no |
crowding of the galleries and that the cor
fidors Were not blocked, but beyond this |
nothing was done, as no trouble was an
ticlpated. 1t was generally understood that |
the Pennsylvania crowd was composed of law
abiding and peaceable citizens
The convention has apparently given I'D all
idea OF securing a hearing in the Senate or
from the Senate Committee on Finance,
and the plan has been adopted of
sending small committees to call upon in
dividual Senators. The houses of several
Senators. including Senators Cameron and
Quay OF Pennsylvania were visited this morn
Ing and both accorded hearings to the dele
cations. The committees in speaking to the
Senators said they appreciated the situation
aud said they felt that the coming of Coxey
and the movement on the lines laid down by
MIN would have tendency to prevent them
from receiving the attention which might
otherwise be accorded them. Still they be-
lleved the enactment of the Wilson bill would
be most injurious to their interests and they
were anxious that their representations should
receive some attention. Senators Cameron
and Quay both assured that they agreed with
them as to the bad effects of the bill and the
dssiraoility of defeating it. if possible. Mr..
Cameron said that the hard times which were
now ielt and the consequent agitation over
the country were traceable directly to the un-
festied condition of the tariff question and the
lack OF sufficient volume of currency.
Senator Voorhees,, chairman of the Commit
tee on Finance, said at noon that up to that
time no delegation had called upon him TO re-
quest the committee to grant the Pennsvl- | /
vania people hearing. But" he said. :sif
the request should be made, it could not be
granted. We cannot give hearings at this
stage OF the tariff legislation and we cannot | ,
make an exception to the general rule adopted
~ the committee. II we should hear 400 to-
lay we would probably have 900 to hear
lext week, and the programme would be good |
Tor the entire Congress. 1t is impracticable |
md there is not an honest Republican Senator
who will not agree with me in this
Having adopted these resolutions with great
enthusiasm the meeting adjourned.
Outside of the hall the delegates reformed
n line of march with the committee on resou-
ions in the lead and headed for the Senate. {
comparatively few people turned out to gaze
It the return march to the Capitol. as the {
,opular mind has been satisfied upon the
'ltal point that Coxey's army had not arrived. !
moreover there being no brass band in line, !
hthuslasm OF the populace found no excuse
or inaniiestng itself. More than half of the ,
delegates iell out of line before the process /,
Ion reached the Capitol boarding street cars
o go sight seeing.
Just IN front of the Peace monument, at the S
DOT oi the long steps leading to the Capitol G
he ranks We're broken, banners were fured
M leit lot saie-keeping in charge of an ada r
ent bookseller. and dividing into small q
arties the workingmen poured through the 9
arlous entrances to the Capitol. Their COM
littee OF twelve went directly to the office of
be Sergeant-at-Arns and Sen. n r,,esson.aza y