The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-02
he looked orestfallen as he left the clerks

The information fled by Assistant District
Attorney Mullowney set forth that "Carl
Browne, Christopher Columbus Jones and
Jacob 8. Coxey, on the first day Of May,
with force of arms, did unlawfully enter
upon the grounds of the Uunited States
Capital and did then and there display a
certain flag and banner designed and
adapted to bring into public notice a certain
organization and movement known and in
scribed as ~. s. Coxey's Good Roads Asso-
citation of the United States and Common
veal of Christ" against the form of the
statute in such cases made and provided and
against the peace and government OF the
United States.
The second count declares that the three
defendants on the same day "Clid unlawfully
enter upon the grounds of the United States
Capitol and injure certain plants and shrubs
and turf, then and there, being and growing,
by stepping and trampling upon the same. "
THE Law VIOLATED.
The law of Congress which the Coxeyites
are charged with infringing reads as fol-
lows
Whereas, The Capitol grounds have been
found to subserve the quiet and dignity of
the Capitol of the United States, and to pre-
vent the occurrence near it of
such disturbances as are incident to the
ordinary use of the public streets and places;
therefore, the following statute for the regu-
lation of the public use of said grounds is
hereby enacted:-
Be it enacted, etc., that public travel in
and occupancy of the Capitol grounds shall
be restricted to the roads, walks and places
prepared for the purpose by tagging, paw
ing and otherwise.
Sec 2.-That it is forbidden to occupy the
roads in such manner as to obstruct or hinder
their proper use, to drive violently upon
them, or with animals not under perfect
control, or to use them for the convenience
of goods or merchandise except to or from
the Capitol on government service.
Sec. 3-That it is forbidden to offer or ex-
pose any article for sale, to display any
sign, placard or other form of advertise
ments; to solicit fares, aims, subscriptions
or contributions
Sec 4-That it is forbidden to step or
climb upon, remove, or IN any way inJure
any stutute, seat, wall OF other erection, or
any tree shrub, plant or turf.
Sec 5-That it is forbidden to discharge
any frearm, firework or explosive, set fire
to any combustible, make any haIangue or
GRAFTON, or utter loud, threatening or abusive
language.
Sec 6-That it is forbidden to trade, stand
or move in professions or assemblages, OF
display any flag, banner or device designed
or adapted to bring into public notice any
party, organization or movement.
Sec. THAT offences against this act shall
be triable before the police court of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and shall be punishable
by fine or imprisonment, or both,
at the discreation of the judge of
said court; the fine not to exceed
500, the imprisonment not to exceed sixty
days. But in the case of heinous offenses by
reason of which public property shall have
suffered damage to an amount exceeding 500
in damage, said judge of the Police Court
may commit or hold to bail the offender
for trial before the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia, when the offense
shall be punishable by imprisonment in the
penetentiary for period of not less than
six months nor more than five years.
THE OLD LAW HUNTED VI
This is still another law of Congf-ss enact
ed as long ago as 1880, which, by its peculiar
provisions in regard to levying upon horses,
carriages, ETC., will be seen to have an es-
pecial reference to Mr.. Coxey's case 1t pro-
vides as follows:-
1t shall not be lawful for any person or
persons to bring, or cause to be brought,
any person or. persons destitute of
the means means of supporting them-
selves, or of laboring for their maintenance,
or afflicted with disease, whereby they are
likely to become chargeable to this corpo-
ration. And any person or persons bringing
or conveying, or causing to be brought. or
conveyed into the limits of this corporation
any such destitute, afflicted or diseased
person or persons as aforesaid, upon
conviction thereof before justice of the
peace shall forfeit and pay for each and
every offence a sum not exceeding 500, nor
less than S25; one-third of which
penalty shall accrue to the
officer prosecuting, and two-thirds
thereof to this corporation; the said penalty
to be levied, if not satisfied forth
with, upon any horse or horses,
carriage or carriages, boat or boats,
which may have been used to convey
the said paupers, or upon any person or per-
sons who may have aided and assisted in
any manner to the introduction of the said
paupers to or within the limits of this cor