Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-07
THE PEOPLES PULSE.
What They Seem to Think 81 The
Coxey Movement.
labsrins Glasses Ihiak nlf iks Men bare
Real Grievance.

Coxey movementss Such IL the question
often asked by congressman, and any one
listening to the talk on the streets of Wash
ington for the past week or two would in
cline to answer yes. 1t iAnot that they be-
lieve this particular method of proceeding
will do any good, for only the most stupid
could believe that, but it was everywhere
evident in the crowds visiting the Coxey
camp and witnessing the parade, and 1t Is
still more evident now in the comments on
the individual Coxeyites wandering about
the city, that very large percentage Of the
laboring class think that these men have a
real grievance When the mounted police
galloped through the dense crowd to inter
cept Browne on his way to the capitol steps,
curses were hurled at them and expressions
uttered showing that only a leader was
needed to preciptate an ugly rioa
The COxey Elements.
When the brief demonstration was over
and the Coxeyites spread about town or
took their occasional snooze in the galleries
like other loafers, 1t was soon apparent that
they were composed Of three elements about
equal in numbers. First were lot Of
young fellows who were, as they expressed
it, 'in it for fun" One Of these talked to
your correspondent with such charming
freedom that it excited a sort Of admiration
for the rascal. Said he, 1.-THE grub was not
first class-there wasn't meal on the road
that was a festival--butit was free feed all
the way and not costing us a cent, and so
we came along to see Washington and
chance whatever fun we might pick up on
the road" But how are you to get home
when the fun is overi" "Oh, don't fear,
- - 4 - ~
stay too long, pll have money enough to pay
my fare home, and so have several Of the
boys" He was q rugged. ruddy farmer
like lad OF at least average intelligence.
Another class evidently believe in Cox
ey's scheme, with all It's absurdities, and
after a brief dependency will rally and be-
lieve in the next scheme just as implicitly.
1t. is the third class who are really to be
pitied, and any one Of them can be recog-
nized at sight. They are men Of dull eyes
and vacant expression, not really capable
of taking care of themselves, and swept
along by any little excitement they en-
counter. There is nothing dangerous about
them, but they are of the class who have to
be carried by society. The house has shown
it's good sense by not discussing the subject
in session, but in private conversation opin-
ions are free and curiously variant, accord
ing to the members political ideas.
Hon. NJ. ID. Harter says: "This is the
natural result of the sort of paternalism
which has been taught to the people these
30 years past In the olden time the doc
trine was that of the constituencies ev-
cry man manage his own business and be
his own free agent, and let every tub stand
OH its own bottom. Now the idea is that
il man cau't make Ills business pay he
must run to the government for help. Such
doctrine and, still worse, such practice
will demoralize any people in the world.
What we want to do is to stop all this fos-
tering of industries and other paternal in
termeddling and let the people learn and
practice self reliance" $751;
Universal Peace.
A great many members say It is the fault
of the newspapers, or rather of the fact that
there is just now total lack of interesting
matter for news. The papers publish and the
people read details Of this foolishness be-
cause there is so little of valid interest go
ing on. lad there been great war abroad
or some great movement in progress at
home especially had there been political
campaign on, the papers would not have
given so lines day to the Coxey business.
and 1t would have died for want of notice.
This view is popular in the committee ON
foreign affairs, who often call attention to
the fact that the world is now more nearly
in condition of universal peace than 1t
has been at any time for over 40 years.
All this time the gayeties of Washington
go on with even more than the average vi
vacity, and the preparations for the May
festivals are on the grandest scale. Deco
ration day especially is to be observed this
year with unusual attention. In the line
OF future legislation there seems to be at
least one certainty-that no new states are
to be admitted at this session and probably
not one during this congress. So says Mr..
Flynn of Oklahoma, and as he is rather
the best informed on that subject of tho
four delegates and his territory had rather
the best chance his view may be taken as
conclusive.
When 1t Is remembered that at the begin
ming of the year all the four territories con-
sidered themselves sure of speedy admis-
sion, this change Is indeed remarkable.
They have lost ground every day, and all
sorts OF reasons are assigned. In the first
place, their most talented advocates have
been Republicans among their own citi-
zens, and these have succeeded so we'll in
convincing Republican senators that the
new states would he Of that faith that they
have ruined their standing with the Dem
ocrats. Neither party is anxious to take
risks in the present dubious state Of party
majorities.
An Opinion Of Utah.
The greatest obstacle. however, is proba-
bly, Mr.. Cleveland. He makes no secret Of
the fact that eight more silver senators at
this time would grieve him. He thinks
there are too many now. As Utah is prob
ably the most doubtful of the four politi-
cally, its chances seem just now to be rather
the worst, il there can be worst when
there is no hope for any. 1t would indeed
be an odd thing in our political history if
that which has been the Oldest of all our
territories for 20 years and best fitted for
statehood of any in the Rocky mountains,
so far AS population and wealth go, should
be the last of all to become a state, and yet
that is just now most likely. On the gen.
eral subject Mr.. Flynn says:
'Our greatest trouble in the west Is that
after several years of abundant or at least
sufficient rain we are having dry seasons
again. went out to make q speech one
July day and passed miles on miles Of the
finest corn ever saw at that season--as
h;yb nc a mans shoulders dark green and