The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-04-25
TO RECEtTE THE COXEYITES.

Washington. April 25.-After 4 con-
ference to-day with MIR. :. T. Thomas
the attorney for the District. and Colonel
Moore, the chief of police of Washing
ton, the District Commissioners issued
the following proclanlat!On:
To Whom it May Concern:
Whereas it is reported that several or
ganizcd bodies Of men are Approaching
the District of Columbia with the avowed
purpose of securing such Congressional
action aS will relieve the condition of rn-
employed lnborers throughout the com-
try; and whereas all unemployed men
and others throughout the country who
may he in sympathy with the movement
have been invited TO assemble in front of
the national capitol on the first Of May,
proNimo, for the purpose of compelling
favorable action by Congress by mere
force of numbers and physica! 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 capi-
tol. which are contrary to law and Op-
posed 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 unem-
ploycd and destitute people not only to
gather together for the purposes aforc-
said at the city of Washington, but there
to remain until their mission shall have
been accomplished; and whereas the ma
tional capitol is chiefly devoted to public
business and is the centre Of Federal
legislation and as a result Of its lack of
ordinary means of affortGng 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
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
appreciahng the hardship which must
come upon many innocent but mis-
guided people. if this ill-consdered
movement should be- continued, do hereby
appeal in the interest of humanity and in
turtherance Of the peace and good order
which are enjoyed by the laws in force
IN said district, 10 the good sense and
patriotism of all those engaged in, or
who contemplate taking any part in the
proposed demonstration and urge them to
reconsider their intention 10 come into
the District of Columbia for that pur-
pose.
No possible good can come of such
gathering, and with no proper preparation
or means of subsistence, suffering and
Ultimate disorder will certainly ensup.
No wrong can be righted, no condition of
labor emellorated, no remedy for any cx-
isting evil realized by the contemplated
demonstration of physical force. Every
desirable end can De more certainly and
effectively accomplished by ordinary and
lawful methods.
The commissioners, while In entire SYM
pathy with all people ont Of employment
ana having no desire or purpose to ,leal
harshiy with unfortunate but honest men
who Seek relief by reasonable and lawful
means. are in duty bound to give notice
to those who who are are tempted under any pre-,
persons already here. that there is
neither work for them nor means for
their maintenance In the District; that
ahe law does not perm, the soliciting OF
assembiages or orations In the Capitol
grounds and the obstruction OF any pub
lie grounds, streets, highways or avenues
buildings. The commissioners give notice
also TO criminals and eviI-doers who. urdrr
cover OF Il crowd OF unemployed men In
our streets, may come here for the pur-
pose Of crime and disorder that all itch
will DE apprehendcd and summarily dealt
with.
And finally. they give notice to all who
come Mere against their ADVICE ana protest
that the laws In force IN the District OF
Columbia are adequate for every eIner-
gency and will be rlgidly enforced.
Signed: John w. Ross, George TrueS-
deli Charles r. Powell, Commissioners Of
the District Of Columbia.
The commissioners have acquainted
themselves fully with all the local laws.
which have reference to movement sim
liar to that Of Coxey's, and 1t Is under
stood that they decided that the army can
be treated as yaSrantS.
Smith, THE Unknown" CoXey's CASH
Tered lieutenant, put In an appearance at
the CoXey headquarters here to-day In
Rechabite Hall and created somewhat OF
Il sensation. He wore brown velvet coat
and vest pair Of white riding trousers
and black leather leggings and fine shoes
and profuson Of jewelry. heavy blue
overcOat thrown back displayed a massive
gold chain that eucircled his neck and WAS
anchored In his pocket by heavy gold
watch which he oStentationsly consulted
as he walked into the cOmmonweal head
quarters. he asserted that he had just
ridden in from Rockville Md, where he
had left his wife and that he had 500 or
GOO followers encamped in that neighbor-
hood who were ready to join the army. as
soon as his differences with Commander
in-Chirf Coxey had been arranged. He
stated that "Colonei' RedstOne was now
endeavoring To arrange matters and that
he should return to Rockville this eve
ming.