The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-08
ON HALLOWED GROUND,
Trial of the COmmOnweal
Leaders.
The Defendants Have Their
Innings.
No Denial, but Justification or
Their Acts.
Coxry Explains His Plans to the Court.
Tho Case to BE Concluded Te-
dsy-Ind astrial Army
Field Notes.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
WAsHINGToN, May The trial Of
the Commonweal leaders, which has
dragged along in the police court for
three days, will be concluded tomorrow.
Coxey's explanation of his plans for
redeeming the government was the
principal feature of the days proceed
ings, apart from the speeches by the
lawyers. 1t is apparent the case is be-
ing tested on the broad grounds OF iusti-
6cation for the Coxey movement, for the
assistant district attorney, in his OPEN
ing address, called Browne crank, and
did not hesitate to insinuate that Coxey
was knave, while the opposing law.
yers endeavored to make the trial ap.
pear persecution by the plutocrats OF
the people, and appealed to enimosity
against Wall street.
| Attorney Hyman made the opening
statement for the defense. There was
no denial of what the Commonwealers
had don0, but he defended the lawful
ness of their action. He could remem-
ber but one similar occurrence in his
tory, and thereupon he produced Bile
and began to read aoriptural passage.
"The gentleman should con6ne him
self to a statement of facts" inter-
posed the district attorney.
docs the attorney deny that 10
fact?" demanded the young attorney,
holding the Bible aloft dramatically.
He was permitted TO read q passage
| from the Old Testament, reciting how
the Lord commanded Moses to take off
his shoes, because he trod On holy
ground.
From his discorsive statement it was
seen that the defense would be based
largely upon the brutality of the police
in clubbing citizens. 1t would be shown
that Coxey had not walked ON the grass
and Browne had been driven through
the shrubbery by the police.
| Frank Harper, a newspaper man from
| Alexandria, Va, testified that the police
had driven citizens on the grass before
the procession arrived, in order to clear
pathway. Coxey walked go quietly
to the steps that he was not recognized
until the people pointed him out.
Thirteen police surrounded the general
when he arrived. Witness was certain
Coxey had not walked on the grass.
| On cross-examination he said there
were 5000 or 5000 people waiting and
cheering for Coxey.
"Dsordsrly, were they not?" in
quired the district attorney.
"Ob, NO; they had right to cheer;
they were American citizens"
| The police came near running down
little girl in front of him. He had besn
ordered off the asphalt streets two or
three times, but returned evsry time.
"Then you dsob beyed the polica," said
the district attorney.
1.-The police are not the law; they ere
the agents of the people to carry out the
law" was the reply.
One person in the crowd on the grass
was Senator Allen.
The second witness was Samuel L.
Perrick, colored. When asked his busi-
ness he explained II am one OF the
ming of the Democratic administration
He swore that Coxey did not touch the
grass.
Being called upon to give ruling
upon question asked this witness,
Judge Miller said it might De mitgat-
ing circumstance bearing upon intent to
violate the law, that the defendant had
been forced upon the grass by circum-
stances. The judge added, hundred
| violations OF the law did not excuse one
| violation.
| This witness also saw the police drive
people on the grass.
Coxey took the stand and ssid he wsa
a lobbyist On behalf of the unem ployed.
The men who came with him, did so,
| Coxey said, upon the principle that they
| might as we'll be with him az anywhere.
Coxsy said he told Major Moore the
army might break up and enter the cap
itol grounds as American citizens. The
chief said there was no objection.
my object in going to the capitol"
| said Coxey, WAS to present congress
my two bills-the good roads bill and
the non-interest- bearing bonds billiard
to address the congress of the United
| States and American people ON them. 1
demanded protection of the police, whe
seemed to be Colonel Rright's right
hand bower, to present congress petit
ton from labor organizations in favor of
the bills."
Judge Miller would not permit the in
PRODUCTION as evidence OF the speseh
| Coxey intended to make, or the protest,
he issued, saying they had nothing to
! do with the trial.
Ooxey LolG Gne story OF the marcn 70
Washington without Embellishments.
Concerning the flags of peace carried
| BY the army, General Coxey said they
had been provided for the men in order
to bring into public notice the two bills
which were to bring peace on earth,
good will towards men. The organiza-
ton itself was q minor affair, merely an
emblem of the bills. He did NOT know
that Browne had the banner when he
started for the capitol steps. and he
did not consider the avenue leading to
the steps as part Of the grounds.
Next came to the stand Representative
Bland. After some wrangliRg over OBJ
jections to questions, Judge Miller re-
fused to permit the congressman to tell
how the police had dubbed the citizans.
Representative Pence argued that ths
defense wanted to show that all the
trouble WAS caused by the police, and