Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-03


wealers spent another cheerless night. The
air was cold and damp and the men who
were without covering and there were few
who had any shelter whatever, suffered
much, but breakfast, which was served
early braced them up after their night of
misery and they fell to work with will to
break camp.
Shortly before 10 clock Marshal Browne
formed the men in a hollow square and,
standing in the centre, called for three
cheers for peace. Cheers were given and
the Commonwealers waved cotton flags of
peace with which they had been armed.
"Now,'' cried Browne, 'wel march
around the grounds and try it owe
again" and tho band started up
Il slow step to which the commonwealers
walked in circle to point about 100
wards from the former camp. Here Browne
formed them i'll Il long line and put the men
through a little drill with their peace slaves.
Then he harangued them, Counselling peace.
Iuelr banners OF peace, he said, would he
more forcibe than all the guns i'll the world.
The mcu checred and Browne waved his
hat q bugc sounded, the band played and
I, Scotch bag piper brought forth doletul
sounds from his instrument Just then the
leader of the comnonweal arrived i'll his
pony phaeton. With him was Mrs, Coxey,
and her arms carried little Legal Tender
CoAey, her baby, II few weeks old Citizen
C}Xev held the reins
AT 1918 Marshal Browne called attention,
and again with shoulder piece and for
ward march," the conmonweal army
started for Washington, led by Browne,
Co1ey and the band, ana u platoon of
mounted police the parade reached the
city limits at 40. 1t was not permitted
west of l4tn street at the instance of the
president; who thought it nadyisable to
hazard possible demonstration by some
crank in front OF the White House OF treas
ury building Coxcy wanted to pass these
two points, but Mayor Moore finally insisted
on the l4th street line of march.
The March Down Pennsylvania Avenue
reached the east front of the capitol at |
o'clock and minute later Coxoy was
placed under arrest \ tremendous crowd
was assembled. Coxey made no physical
resistance but protested all the while. The
police did not use their clubs no one was
struck and the immense crowd was handled
i'll an easy vet firm and effective manner.
Coxey was not formally put under arrest.
Tie was simply put Oft the capitol steps far
enough to prevent his ascending at . clock
today.
When Coxey passed out of the capitol
grounds to reioin his army the party was
followed by at least 10000 people. and the
officers aud those with the crowds who
pressed i'll front, made the passage IA diff
cult one. Finally the police and their
charge reached the head of the procession
on b street directly in front of the resi-
dencc Of Congressman Springer OF Illinois.
Somebody set up cheer and thou
sands joi .ed i'll the head of
the CONNIE 4weal pushed his way to
his carriage The mob behind and thou
sands more ,n b street pushed forward
eagerly toward the vehicle in which sat Mrs.
CoXey with little 'l,agal Tender i'll her
arms,
The middle Of the parade was jammed
una iostled about by the crowd some, being
thrown about i'll every direction Mounted
police rushed into the crowd endeavoring to
get them back to the sidewalk and restore
some semblaure Of order, but for some time
to no avail. 1t became necessary to use their
clubs as a menace Some of the CoXeyites
were jostlel and crowded until they reached
the wall Of the grounds and it looked as
though they We're about to head for the
capitol y rush was made 10y the mass of
people upon the scene and many ran pell
nell to the plaza over the lawns,
1rampling Down Shrubbery and Vines
The white paliry on which Coxey was
mounted became frightened and attempted
TO run away, but was held back by a young
man who clung to the horses bride. Coxey
finally managed to get into the carriage with
his wife and the crowd cheered him again
and again.
"Nou II have to start the procession, " cried
out policeman Speech, speech " came
frome hundreds of throats and rising in his
phaeton, Coxey started to speak But his
voice could be heard by few only so he
waved his hand for the procession to 90
ahead.
The commonwealers, who had tramped
more than five miles to the capitol to find
their plans frustrated, meekly followed their
leaders and were conducted quietly to their
new camp ON VI street, between First and
Second streets, southeast. The camp is sit
uated about mile from the capitol.
Just as the head Of the party turned
around the south front of the capitol
grounds, Major Moore, who headed the pro
resslon, fearing that the Co1eytes would
attempt to enter the grounds at that point
turned his horse and rode back to where
Marshal Browne was, Browne turned and
pointed straight ahead, signifying that he
would enter the grounds there
just north of New Jersey avenue Browne
halted the men and called Jesse Coxey I'D
and turned the command of the army over
TO him, leaving his horse in charge of his at
tendant lie told young Coxey to keep the
Commonwealers where they stood and
to wait until he came back Instead of
waiting until he reached the entrance to the
grounds Browne cambered over the coming
and breaking into run dashed alone
In the Direction of the Capitol.
The enormous crowd composed entirely OF
the rougher class of Washingtonians followed
him, dashing over the bitches and destroy
Ing all the shrubbery in the path For a
few minutes the police could do nothing
with the crowd but rode aimlessly about
clubbing any one who happened to be in the
way. Browne dashed on to within 100 feet
pf the capitol, when he was arrested by an
eficer, who said Browne assaulted him, but