The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-02
REACHES THE COVETED GOAL
But Is Unceremoniously Hustled
OFF the Steps by Officers.
His Chief Lieutenants, Browne and ones,
Arrested and Taken to Jail
Scenes and Incidents.

may Line OK
Coxeys commonweal army. which stsrteI
from Massillon. o.. on Easter Sunday. end
ded to-day in interruption by the police.
Fortunately there was no casualties. and
tonight General Coxey addressed his
burlesque army in camp. while Marshal
Carl Browne spent few hours
in police station cell. ard
Christopher Columbus Jones. leader oe
the Philadelphia commune and the COM
edian of the movement. endeavorei to APP
propriate share of the martyrdom in an
adjoining cell.
The performance acted within the shadow
OF the Capitol to-day is without counter
part in the mind of Washingtonians. over
the broad smooth plaza facing the east
front OF the Capitol was pacing a crowd
Of men and women numbering ten thou
sand. The Capitol steps and the porticos
under the Grecian pillars were packed
with people of both sexes. well dressed. and
most of the members Of Congress in the
throng. An early adjournment had been
taken by the Senate on account Of the
death Of Senator Stockbridge. but the
House, not wishing to seem TO be terror
lied by the demonstration, went through
the semblance OF a session with handful
of members. More than two hundred city
police reinforced the Capitol officers and
detectives from several cities were sprinkled
through the crowd. for the concentration OF
lawless local characters gave just grounds
for apprehensions of trouble apart from
the presence of the Coxeyites.
1t was shortly after / o'clock when the
army halted in the public street south OF
the Capitol ground. It's ive-nile march
down from Brightwood through the prin-
cipal streets Of the city had been witnessed
by thousands. There were five hundred
men in line. Mrs. Annie l.. Diggs. the Pop
ulistic agitator of Kansas. in a barouche;
Coxey's seventeen-year-old daughter on a
cream-colored steed representing the God
dess of Peace; Carl Browne on a great
gray stallion: General Coxey. his wife. the
infant Legal Tender Coxey, together in
another carriage; Virginia La valette. sad
to be an actress, on horseback draped in
an American flag as the Philadelphia COM
mune's Goddess of Peace; the unemployed
carrying white flags Of peace on slaves
and the nondescript banners setting forth
the doctrines of reincarnation, good roads
and enmity to plutocrats sprinkled through
the caravan.
Marshal Browne halted the procession in
the street near the Capitol, walked back
to Coxeys carriage. the General kissed his
wife; then the two moving spirits OF the
affair forced their way over the plaza 10
the Capitol steps, their men, acting under
orders, standing in their tracks. After
Coxey and Browne pressed a yelling crowd
of several hundred men, most of them fol-
lowing Browne, who was conspicuous by
his unique costume Trampling and tear
ing its way through the costly shrubbery
the mob went while the squad Of mounted
police which had headed the parade. dazod
for moment by the unexpected move.
charged recklessly into their midst Coxey
was confronted by the police as he took
off his hat to speak on the steps, and his
demand for his constitutional rights. as he
called il, being refused. thrust upon them
a printed protest, which proved 10 be a
well-worded epitome of popuiistic doc
trines.
A RIoToUs SCENE.
Meanwhile. Carl Browne was being liter
ally dragged by the collar OF his coat
through the crowd toward the nearest
station, after he had made fight 10 re.
tain his benner. Two police captains a
lieutenant and a sergeant thrust the mild
hammered Coxey. without violence. back
across several hundred feet OF humanity
to his carriage. Mounted police were
several of them cracking their clubs ever
the heads OF the nearest persons. Women
were shrieking in terror. men were yelling
fiercely, and some were knocked down and
trampled upon. For FIVE minutes there
was riot in that section OF the mob in
front OF the east steps. which occupied
about an acre OF the asphalt. Then the
two agitating spirits having bee. removed
and half dozen particularly belligerent
men having been taken in by the police.
the disturbance was quelled without seri-
Gus injuries to a single person.
Somehow the army started on to-
ward its new camp between double lines
of police followed by mob OF Thousands
cheering like demons for Coxey and
Browne. Within an hour the Capitol
grounds had almost regained their normal
quiet. with only a few hundred people
strolling around
General Coxey accepted the situation
philosophically. His army was put 10 work
clearing up the new camping ground for
occupancy, while Coxey drove over 10 the
Office OF the District commissioners with
an eye TO business. He made application
for the necessary license TO charge admis-
sion to his camp. The commissioners de-
sired time 10 consider the proposition; 50.
acting upon their suggestion. Mr. coxey
went 10 the clerk. and by paying - secured
a license for one day only.
II have no complaint" coxey said. TO
make as far as the police are concerned.
They treated me with great consideration.
but they lad TO carry out the law. even II
IL was an unjust one. Ny speech-makins.
however. at the Capitol Is over and 4
shall not again attempt IL II would be no
use. The American EAGLE aid good deal
of squealing to-day. but that VS. 90 be
expected. The suthouti~ D'ncnee Am