The Washington times., 1894-05-03
ASKS FOR INVESTIGATION
Tom Johnson's Resolution in Regard to
the Affair Of Tuesday.
POLICE ARB RoUNDLY SCORED
They Beat and Bullied Defsnsslsss Nan.
Says the Rspressntative-spsaker Crisp
Turns the Issue Down-Lemuel Hi Quigg
Objects to Immediate Consideration.

Tho scenes which occurred ON the Capitol
| grounds Tuesday, when in the presence Of
thousands Of spectators, including many Con-
gressmen, the Coxeyite marshal, Carl Browne
| was arrested, and number Of onlookers were
dubbed and roughly handled by the police
| were the subject Of resolutions introduced BY
| Representative Tom L. johnson yesterday morn
| ing In the course of his remarks MIR. johnson
took occasion to denounce the manner In which
the commonwealers had been treated The res
| olutions were as follows:
Whereas, 1t is well known that the Capitol
grounds were on May overrun by q large as
sembiage of people, including considerable
number of the regular and special police OF this
District; and
of the members Of this House has been endan-
gered, thereby making it necessary for the
House to rely upon the clubs Of policemen Tor
their protection:
Resolved, That the Committee on Public
Buildings and Grounds be instructed to inquire
into the question as to whether unnecessary
force was used, whether unohendfng ciiizens
| were cruelty beaten, and whether the dignity OF
the House has been Violated that the said com.
mittee have the power to send for persons ana
papers and report the facts in connection with
the subject, with their recommendation as to
whether any legislation is necessary y tne
premises
Objection was Immediately raised by Mr.. Outh-
waite that the resolutions did not present ques-
| ton of privilege, which was the ground on which
Mr. johnson claimed the moor. The following de-
bate enSued:
Mr. Johnson-I maintain, Mr.. Speaker, that It
is question Of the highest privilege. Within
the sight of members of this House men were
cruelty beaten yesterday BY the police.
Mr. Outhwaite-That Is a question Tor the
courts
Mr Johnson-There was enacted a disgraceful
scene on our own grounds, and ask that II De
investigated 1t is entirely right that it should
be.
Mr. Outhwaite-Does the gentleman simply
want to refer the resolution?
Mr. Johnson-No; want to pass it
The Speaker then gave Mr.. johnson the moor
to show whether there was any question Of privi-
lege presented by the resolutions.
Mr. Johnson-I claim, Mr. Speaker, that as the
Capitol grounds are in charge of the two houses
OF Congress- any cruelty, any such outrageous
conduct, as was witnessed by members of this
House yesterday near the portico on this side
is matter that affects the dignity of the House.
1t is a disgraceful thing for innocent men to be
dubbed by policemen in any case, but in the
present instance It occurred under such circum-
stances that the disgrace attaches to the mem.
bers and officers OF this House. The policemen
who beat and bullied lot of defenseless men
were acting as our guardians We the repre-
sentatives of 65,000,o00 people, were being pro-
tected by the clubs of an organized force against
q few peaceable, unemployed men, whose leader
wished to read an address from the steps of the
Capitol Now, do not believe in the PROPOSE
ton of Mr.. Cozey that the government should
Ereenbacks and building roads The ultimate
effect of such q scheme for making public i'm
provements would simply be to Increase the
value of land where such Improvements were
made, and thus make land still more fnaccesS-
ible to home-seekers and wealth producers;
and all the money issued would at once begin
to flow into the pockets of those who control
natural resources and great monopolies. OPP
portUnities for employment abound on every
hand-mining lands, farming lands lumber
lands, city lots, water rights-suffcient to sup
port at least 1,0O0,0o0,000 people, but they are
withheld from use. All that the government
needs 10 do Is to free opportunities and men
will employ themselves. l have, however, the
profoundest sympathy with the misery and
destituton of which this movement is but an ex-
preston, and recognize that 1t is the failure TO
appreciate the true cause Of their suffering that
leads men to impracticable schemes. But, MIR.
Speaker, that the representatives of this nation
should have no better reception for a peaceful
body of poor, unemployed men, no matter how
erroneous their economic views, than to meet
them with the appraised clubs of police, Is. in my
opinion, a disgrace 1t is politically blunder
and morally crime; and it cannot but stir up
feelings of bitterness, which a proper course
would have allayed-
Speaker Crisp declaring that he could not see
what question of privilege was involved in the
resolutions Mr. johnson claimed that the ques-
tion was one of gross indignity to the House. He
said:
.Men have been cruelty beaten and unnces-
sary force has been used on our grounds under
the pretense of protecting us Nobody here was
frightened by anything. A lot of policemen were
appointed and put on duty for the occasion, and
innocent men were outrageously treated"
He demanded an investigation of the whole
subject The Speaker again deciding against
him, Mr. johnson asked unanimous consent for
the immediate consideration of the resolutions.
Mr.. Quigg, recently elected Republican Protec-
resolutions were afterward referred to the Com.
mittee on Rules.