The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-05-08
Coxey a Lawbreaker.


will not prevail long in Alabama.
Coxey a Lawbreaker.
| In the police court at Washington yes
| terday Coxey virtually admitted that he
| knew he was violating the law when he
attempted to make an address from the
! porch of the capitol He tried to excuse
his offense, however, by saying he did not
believe the law prohibiting addresses be-
ing made from that place could set aside
the constitution. In other words, he con-
siders himself a better authority as to
| the meaning of the constitution than
| those who make the laws.
AS matter of fact Coxey deliberately
and purposely attempted to violate the
law. He asked permission of Vice Presi-
! dent Stevenson and Speaker Crisp to
make an address from the east porch of
the capitol, and it was refused by both
these officials on the ground that they
had no authority to grant it.
The interview between Speaker Crisp
and Coxey, as reported in the New York
| Sun by Congressman Cummings, was ex-
| ceedingly interesting. The speaker
| asked Coxey what reason he had for pre-
ferring request to speak from the CAPT
tol steps. Coxey answered that he was
| representing millions of unemployed and
starving people and that his army had
come in the MAMIE of the people to demand
| legislation for their instant relief.
! "By what authority" Speaker Crisp
asked, do you undertake to represent
the 65000,00O inhabitants of this country
| Their representatives are the 1856 men
| elected to congress and vested with
authority under the provisions of the
government"
But, objected Gen. Coxey, that con-
| gress does not represent the people"
Then" said the speaker, your rem
| edy is at the ballot box. Under our sys-
tenn of government, the government itself
! Is the people. 1t is subject to changes
when the people indicate at the ballot box
that they want change You appear to
be a self-constituted representative of the
! people"
Coxey replied that the appeal to the
ballot box was too slow. The people de-
| manded immediate relief.
You cannot expect to coerCe congress- -
! Speaker Crisp answered. Your method
of petition can hardly be better than the
old method, tried for so many years"
| The general said that written petitions
| We're never regarded by congress, and
! compel consideration.
= DO you expect to intimidate congress-"
| the Georgian asked DO you think that
| you can brighten any representative into
voting against his convictionsl"
Coxey replied that he did not know. He
! added that the millions of starving peo-
| pie demanded immediate relief He Sid
that it was the duty of the government to
appropriate money for the employment of
the unemployed. They could not wait to
elect men to congress to represent them.
They would have relief, even if it was Sc
cured through revolution
Your proposition the speaker said.
If carried out, would be subyersive of
the government. Our institutions would
be overthrow, and there could be no sta
| bility OF government"
Gen. Coxey then asserted that the peo-
pie had constitutional right to assemble
in the capitol grounds He was told that
the grounds were set aside by the govern
ment for specific purpose and their oc-
cupancye was regulated by law The
white house and the public buildings
were set aside in the same manner No
| one would contend that they could be en-
| croached upon by any one at will.
Some further conversation ensued The
speaker finally said that he would grant
no permission to hold meeting in the
capitol grounds. If it were given to
The proposed method of petition meant
either an attempt at intimidation or
meant nothing, If the theory of public
ownership was to be accepted as giving any
emblage right to take possession or
occupy government property, it would APP
ply to the treasury and its vaults as well
The foregoing shows clearly the kind
of man CUxey is. He is not lacking in
intelligence. He had fair warning that
what he proposed to do was unlawful, yet
he attempted to disregard the law in his
desire to achieve notoriety. He knew he
could accomplish nothing by the course
the proposed TO pursue, and he was aware
that he was encouraging a spirit Of law
&ssness in all parts of the country.
4 1t is strange that there should be those
Wiling and ready to defend such a man
amaR VINO would bring ruin to the whole
country and suffering to Millions if he
eould, simply that he might bring him
| SEN into prominence Under the circum-
stances itis remarkable that he has been
dealt With so gently.
The jana ese don't like to be under oh
legations q US. We have sent a good