The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-05-02
CRISP SCORES COXEY.
How the Speaker SquelChed the
Commonweal Army Leader,
THE REMEDY FOR EXISTING EVILS

Mr. Crisp Reminds the Ohio Farmer That
Reforms Can Not be Brought About by
Intimidation Through self Constituted
Leaders, but Through the Ballot.
WASHINGTON, May s--The details Of ths
interview which Mr.. Coxey had with
Speaker Crisp Monday night have just
been learned. To the formers request for
= suspension Of the regulations so as to
permit the contemplated meeting ON the
Capitol steps the speaker replied that
while he did not remem ber the exact terms
of the law, he doubted that he had any
authority to grant the permission asked
But" he added, "if have the au
shortly l will not grant the permission.
What reasons have you to offer in support
of your request to have the operation Of
the law suspendedW
Coxey asserted that they had came here
to represent millions Of unemployed and
starving people.
Then what is your purposei What do
you intend to doY'.
Coxey said that they came in the name
Of the people to demand legislation foI
! their relief, and then entered into a long
statement about his being the representa-.
tive of the people.
How are you the representative of the
peopleW the speaker asked. "By what
authority do you undertake to represent
65 900, 900 of people of this country The
peoples representatives are the 1856 repre-
sentatives elected to congress and vested
with autho rity under the provisions of ouI
government"
Coxey objected that congress did not
I represent the people.
"Then," said the speaker, 'y, Gr remedy
is at the ballot box. Under ouI system OF
government the government iSelf is the
people, subject to requent changes when
| the people indicate at the ballot box that
they want a change, and you appear to be
a self constituted representative of the
| people"
Coxey replied that the appeal to the
| ballot box was too slow; that the relief de
manded must be had at once.
do you propose to coerce congressi In
what respect is your method of petition
better than the old method which is be-
ing constantly availed of by the peopleP''
Coxey held that written petitions were
never regarded by congress, and that he
| thought his method would compel con.
sideration.
"Do you expect to intimidate congressl
Do you think you can frighten any repre-
sentative into voting against his convic
| tionsW
Coxey stated that he did not know, but
he believed it was the duty of the govern
ment to appropri ate money for the em,
| ployment of the unemployed. He said
| they could not wait for the opportunity to
elect men to congress representing the
| people, and that they would have to have
relief, even If it were secured through
revolution.
"Your proposition" said the speaker
"would be, if carried out, subversive OF
( the government. Our institutions would
be overthrown, and there would be nc
stability Of government"
Coxey still persisted, and said that hi.
army had a right to assemble in the w hit
House grounds.
The speaker replied that he would MOI
grant the permission sought; that no rea
son had been given which would warrant
1t; that If permission were given to Coxey
1t could not be refused to any one for any
purpose; that the proposed method Of pc
| tition meant an attempt at intimidation
or 1t meant nothing; and that II the theory
of public ownership was to be accepted a
giving any assemblage the right TO take
possession or occupy government property
it would apply to the treasury and It's
| vaults as well.