The Washington times., 1894-04-22
THE DAY NEAR AT HAND
Mass Meeting of the Local Common
wealers Enthusiastically Attended.
GLADLY WELCOME THE ARMY
Coxeys Crowd Will Not Come Here Bearing
Arms-Commonweal song-Extra Precau-
tions Being Mado for Guarding the Treas
ury and the Capitol-More Police.

IU6I6 WIS al culHuoldotiC ultelluR OIL tuo
people in sympathy with the movement OF the
commonweal last night at Coxey headquar-
ters, corner Four-and-a-half street and Penn
sylvania avenue northwest, to perfect ar
rangements for meeting and entertaining the
army upon its arrival in the city. The hall
was crowded.
The meeting was called to order::by Col. A.
e. Redstone, who requested the election Of q
chairman. A. NJ. Cook was selected, but he
was not present, and Mr. J. R. Mahoney was
unanimously elected to the chair. On the
platform were the speakers Of the evening,
Mrs. Anna L. Diggs, Col. Redstone, Mr.. Y.
Dewitt, and ex-Congressman Wise, of Penn
sylvania. An earnest opening address was
made by John r. Mahoney, In which he said
that he was a Coxeyite only so far as any
man would go out in his feelings toward an
other man in distress. He had great admira-
ton and sympathy for this band OF men
crossing the mountains despite the severe
snowstorms and ice, and favored the move
ment, inasmuch as the idea was to relieve
the distress ofthousands OF persons all over
the country. The people should exert their
influence to have the army met with loaves of
bread and not with fixed beyonets.
Col Redstone said that arrangements had
been made for music at the mass meetings,
and introduced Mr.. A. Tregana, who will be
in charge. Then the audience sang the six
verses of "The Commonweal Song" ending
each verse with the rousing chorus:
"Hurrahl Hurrahi let Congress hear our plea,
Hurrahi Hurrah, the people now decree,
Laws that speak for Justice and for true hui
manity,
While truth Is marching on to victory"
Mrs. Anna L. Diggs, of Kansas, then ad-
dressed the meeting. She compared the
Coxey army to the body of men who marched
on the Capitol yesterday. The difference be-
tween the two was that the men Of yesterday
were able to come in cars. wear good clothes
and stop at hotels. They represented corpor-
ations or moneyed concerns. and asked for
the passage OF certain laws that would benefit
the capitalists, while the Coxey band are
tramping across the mountains, sleeping
under the chilly canopy OF heaven, and they
ask legislation in the interest Of the whole
population to benefit every legitimate indus
try in the country. and not for any particular
class The men are coming not as Republic
ans or Democrats, but as American citizens,
and IL there are any thieves or tramps in the
city the people will be protected by the Coxey
men.
Mr.. Roberts, of Tennessee, said that they
were there last night. not as citizens Of WASH
ington, but as representatives OF the whole
country. The movement is to carry out a re-
lief principle for the people OF this country,
and Congress will not decide the question on
which so much depends, but the people will.
He made some decidedly emphatic remarks
concerning the arrest Of the Primrose men.
and referred to Judge kimball as the 'shoe-
maker judge"
Ex-Congressman Wise. OF Pennsylvania,
said that the men who were coming were
born and educated as citizens of the United
States, and their conduct would be no refic-
ton upon the people. He had faith in Con-
gress and faith in the police force, and be-
lieved that the men would be treated fairly.
The final speech was made by Mrs. Clara
Colby, editor of the Woman's Tribune.
Committees were appointed as follows: On
public comfort, G. o. Cook. P. J. White, J.
Dewitt, P. J. Dougherty, P. J. Maddigan. T.
Fl. Godney. Mrs. Goff, Mrs. Maltby, Mrs. Da-
Wis. Mrs. Woodard, Mrs. Diggs and Mr.. and
Mrs. TraSena; on reception and demonstra-
ton, G. W. Bell, J. ]. Barring, A. A. Reagan,
l.. B. White, 7 F. Fisher. Col. T. ?. Roberts,
X. J. Bell and NJ. J. Colbert; on permit and
location, ]. Z. Mahoney. G. A. Cook. J. De-
Witt. Mrs. Goff and Mrs. Clara Colby; to can
vass labor organizations. S. Maltbv, G. Cole
man. Milford Spond, Mildred Hobbs and Mr..
Steiner.
Mr. G. A. Cook offered to pay rent for
suitable location for the encampment OF the
army. As soon as he made this offer he re-
quested to have his name taken OIL the COM
mittee on permits and locations.
Representative Coffeen, of Wyoming, who is
claimed as supporter to the Coxeyites, oc-
cupied seat on the platform.
NJ. J. De Witt donated the use OF his six
horse tally-ho. from the roof of which the
gospel of the good roads will be preached by
local enthusiasts at the street corners.
A resolution was adopted, to be sent to the
House Committee on Military Affairs, to
which the recommendation of Congressman
Boen in regard to furnishing tents and en-
campment grounds to the commonwealers,
requesting that they report this resolution
favorably to the House at once and take i'm
mediate action upon it.
Citizen Redstone leaves this morning to join
Coxey at Frederick