Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-05-19
Coxeyites East and West.

The New York Times has a very
entertaining editorial on the differ
ence between eastern and western
tramps as contained in the various
wings Of the Coxey army:
1t may be rashly assumed that the
tramp changes his skies but not his
mind. As matter of fact, however,
the western Coxeyite is not at all the
same sort of person as the eastern
Coxeyite or the comparatively east
ern Coxeyite from Masillon, Ohio.
1t is only fair to say that Coxey's
own party has not committed any
fragrant violations of law, for even
the trampling on the grass Of the
capitol grounds. though a trespass
and violation of police regulations.
is not morally a heinous offense.
They begged their way to Washing
ton in the usual manner of tramps,
mitigated by the privy purse of
Coxey. They were greater nsi-
sance than a single tramp, but only
by reason OF their numbers. Their
presence. considering their numbers,
may have implied an appeal to fear
as well as to pity-but they did moth
ing to make this threat explicit.
There was really no reason for forci-
bly, interfering with their progress
that would not have applied equally
to single tramp. AS it has turned
out. it is fortunate that they were
permitted to proceed to Washington
unmolested, and there to show how
very harmless they were and how
ridiculous it was to suppose that they
could possibly constitute any menace
to the public order.
But the western tramp is n being
of an entirely different order, and
much less distinguishable from
common highwayman. He has i'm
bibed from the wild, free air OF the
west spirit for lawlessness and the
habit, If he does not see what he
wants. Of asking for it in the form of
demand" and il he does see it OF
helping himself to it without fur
Their ado. Among the things to
which he has been.helping himself are
railroad trains, and he has had the
bad judgment to help himself to rail-
road trains that were in the imme-
diote custody Of the government of
the United States. He and his have
succeeded in stealing a train from
the Missouri Pacific. In attempting
to steal train OF the Great Northern
road they found it necessary to assail
and wound two deputy marshals who
were lawfully engaged in protecting
the same.
1t is evident that these procedures
offer very different subject for con-
sideration from that which is pre-
sented by the eastern Coxeyftes,
whether OF CoXey's own army or of
the New England contingent, of
which one Of the leaders was yester-
day held to bail for violating, doubt
less unwittingly. municipal ordi-
nance OF this city, by straying with
in its northern boundary in battle
array. Tramps who beg their way
in droves may properly be dispersed
and compelled to tramp singly.
Tramps who act like highwaymen
should be treated like highwaymen.
1t would be great mistake, and of
a very pernicious influence, il the
western authorities were to content
themselves with merely repeling the
attacks upon person and property of
these furious tramps, or with merely
dispensing them. They have COM
mitted serious offenses, and they
should be made to suffer the full
penalties OF those offenses. II will
be miscarriage Of justice If the steal
ers Of trains and assailants of officers
OF the law are not kept beyond the
power of doing mischief for some
time IN como