The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-15
A CRANK IN THE GALLERY.
lie Is a BuTly Blacksmith and Wants
The COXey Bills Passed.

Oheers of the House Seize Him and
Drag Him Out When He Attempts to
Deliver a Speeoh-He Warns the
Members That the Building Will
Be Blown Up With Bombs if the
Measures Are Not Passed.
Washington, May IA disturbance
was created in the House to-day by the
sudden interruption of the even tenor of
the proceeding by a burly negro in the
center gallery arising in his place and
shouting, Mr.. Speaker of the House of
Representatives. Instantly the House
was in confusion, and all eyes were turned
upon the new orator in the gallery.
The speaker, who was the first to re-
gain his composure, directed the door
keeper to remove the offender.
The man was of powerful physique,
however, and the doorkeeper was unable
to Gust him for some time, the negro en-
deavoring to deliver his alleged divinely
inspired message to the effect that the
Lord had commanded him to come to the
speaker of the House and order him to
pass the CoxeY bills. He was finally
elected.
AAE ChANh BLACKSMITH.
The crank's name is Matthew A.
Cherry. He is a blacksmith, residing in
thls city. He insists that he is not in
sane, but his manner is manifestly unbaI.
anced. When quest toned by the capitol
police he said that unless the "Coxey
good roads bill was passed there would
be general destruction of government
property in Washington. Congress would
be given until the 24th inst. to
pass the bill If it did not become a law
by that time, the public buildings would
be destroyed by bombs He was ar
rested by the capitol police and taken to
the guard room in the basement of the
capitol. He was perfectly tractable and
odered no violence. He was retained in
the guard room about thirty minutes,
when he was taken to the sixth precinct
station.
WANTED TO SEE SPEAKER CRISP.
Before entering the gallery, Cherry en-
deavored to see Speaker Crisp. He
called at the corridor, which runs in the
rear of the House chamber, and was
stopped by the doorkeeper. Speaker
Crlsp's room is situated at the east end of
this corridor, where three doorkeepers
are stationed. A colored messenger also
guards the door of the speakers room.
When the crank demanded to see the
speaker the doorkeeper asked, his bust
ness. The crack replied that he desired
an audience with Speaker Crisp, but re-
fused to state for what reason. Upon the
doorkeeper again refusing to comply with
his request. the crank faced about and
went up into the gallery.
THE TOWN FULL OF CRANKs.
''The town is full of cranks, g." said Col.
Snow, the sergeant-at-arms, of the House,
in speaking of Cherry's arrest. you
can't walk Pennsylvania avenue without
meeting them at every turn. There is an
individuality about cranks, and a student
OF human nature will recognize one at a
glance. We have taken every precaution
to guard the members of the
House from the violent actions of
these people, for crank is violent when
you least expect it. But no precaution
can prevent an evil disposed person from
coming into the gallery with destruct-
i've weapon in his pocket. During the ex-
element about the first Of the month, we
kept an officer in citizens clothes in the
gallery, and every suspicious person was
carefully watched.
CAN'T CARRY IN BAGS,
''It is our rule not to permit persons car
rying valises or packages of any descrip-
ton to enter the gallery. Where a man
is regarded with suspicion, the officers
keep close to him TO prevent any overt act.
There probably never was so many
cranks in Washington as at present, and
the white house and capitol are their
storm centers. Do l anticipate trouble
with theml l do not, because no precau-
ton is neglected to protect everybody
about the capitol"
The promptness with which Cherry
was ejected from the House gallery shows
the excellent system in vogue at the CAPT
toll in reference to cranks. Cherry had
not spoken fifteen seconds before Door
keeper Bowen grabbed him by the collar
and dragged him into the corridor out
side