The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-21
They Represent Pennsylvania and New
Jersey Working People. aud HayeNo
Connection with the Coxeyites.
ALL OPPOSE THEWILSON BILL
And Will To-Day Present Rem0n-
strances TO the Senate.
Hundreds More TO Arrive This Morning
and Take Part in Parade-Tariff
Speeches in the Senate.

WASHINGTON, April ?a.-The national
capital was to-day invaded by an army OF
'industrials" not OF the Coxey. Kelly or
FRYE kind. but genuine workers in the in
dustries of the land About noon several
hundred working people under the leader
ship of John 5. Stewart, president Of the
Workingnen's Protective Tariff League
of the Quaker City, arrived here
for the purpose OF protesting against
the Wilson bill. Prior to their
arrival Representative Harmer, OF
PHILADELPHIA called on Sergeant-at-arms
Bright, Of the Senate, to confer with him
as to their reception at the Capitol He
stated that they came disclaiming any con-
nection whatever with the Coxey move
ment, but as workingmen able 10 pay their
own expenses, with purposes entirely CT a
peaceable character. with the intention and
desire only of uttering protest against
the passage OF the Wilson bill. He said
they would number about one thousand aft
er all should arrive, and that they wished
TO march TO the Capitol in body to-mor-
row for the purpose of presenting to the
Senate their protest. He desired 10 know
from Colonel Bright what he would permit
them to do in this respect. Colonel Bright
replied that IL the proper people came they
would be treated just as any other Ameri-
can citizen visiting the Capitol would be
treated. He pointed out the law bearing
upon the invasion OF the Capitol grounds,
which prohibits organizations OF any kind
marching through them such, ani said
that unless overruled by higher auth
he would see that the law was enforced.
There would be no interferences with their
privileges, and they would be entitled to
seats in the public galleries Of the Senate
,fo.1
interview is important indicating the
policy that VII be pursued by the execu-
tive officers of the Senate toward all dele
CATIONS visiting Washington for the pur-
pose of influencing legislation. and has
direct bearing upon the Coxey movement
1t is understood Colonel Bright acts under
the advice and authority Of the Senate COM
mittee on rules.
ARRIVAL OF THE DELEGATION.
The first train TO arrive was a special
carrying 26O men and women. IL came into
the Baltimore a. Ohio station at noon,
where the toilers were reviewed by Repre-
sentative Harmer. The delegation marched
down Pennsylvania avenue TO Metzerotts
Hall, where headquarters have been estab-
lished. The trip from Philadelphia was
made in five hours and was without Incl
dent. Across several cars were draped long
streamers painted "Woringmen's Protective
Tariff League-Demonstrat at Washing
ton Against the Wilson Bill" Several Of
the delegates carried banners carefully
shrouded in wrapping paper, since word
had gone forth that they would not be
permitted to parade in Washington. Each
one had pinned to the lapel or his coat a
ribbon Of red, white and blue, from which
hung a gilt medal. Thirty young women
from the carpet weaving factories wore
badges. majority OF the delegation was
from Trenton Camden, Manayunk, Bristol
Chester 1
the greatest number, but the iron workers
cigarmakers and other industries are large
ly represented. Six or eight hundred more
will arrive tomorrow.
When the advance guard had reached
without delay, George Walsh, of German
town, officiating as chairman. Representa-
tive Harmer was loudly cheered as he
stepped 20 the platform, wearing badge
Of the league, and proceeded 10 welcome
the league to Washington. II know your
visit is not one of pleasure" he said. stern
duty brings You. You have fallen into the
times when disastrous legislation threatens
your work. when the prospect alone OF the
Wilson bill has thrown one million men out
OF employment. He said that there had
been some question OF their right TO exer-
else the prerogative Of citizens to peace
fully assemble and petition Congress con-
cernng legislation which would affect their
interests. He had called on Major Moore,
the chief of police. and had been Informed
that they would be protected in their right
TO hold meetings In a public hall. but the
chief had reminded him OF a city ordinance
prohibiting parades with music and BAN
ners Mr.. Harmer read the law prohibit
ing professions or assemblages on the Cap
itol grounds, and stated that he had called
upon the authorities at the Capitol who
suggested that il the members OF the
league came TO the Capitol they had bet
ter come in small parties rather than in
one body. After loud cheers for Repre-
sentative Harmer and rather few cheers
for Major Moore, the meeting adjourned for
dinner.
WILSON BILL DENOUNCED.
Some vigorous speeches were made at the
afternoon meeting in denunciation OF the
Wilson bill, and they We're received with
great demonstrations OF approval Ephraim
Rigg, of Germantown, who began the talk
ing, declared that the gathering would be
the greatest object lesson ever given Con-
gress. IF they don't hear us tomorrow
they will hear from US next November right
and left" he shouted. and his fellow-work-
men voiced their approval with that's So"
Then he said that if Abraham Lincoln or
James C. Blaine were in Washington that
they would be heard. Lincolns name was
cheered, and then the reference 10 Blaine
evoked 4 mighty shout, which nearly raised
the roof. He spoke sarcastically OF Bourke
Cochran ana the Pennsylvania Congress-
men who had talked against the bill and
voted for IT, Referring TO CoXey, he said
that bodies OF men would. not be marched
toward Washington unless they were out OF
work. The country was witnessing the full
nllment OF the promises which Roger -.
Mills had made in the Academy OF Music
at Philadelphia I'm 1855. Back in The same
campaign Breckenridge, OF Kentucky had
come with all his exuberance 20 inquire how
long the infant Industries would need the
bottle Of protection.
Mr. Rigg was interrupted by his hearers
when he mentioned the name OF Breckin-
ridge. and then went on 10 inquire why
the rice or the South should be protected
and the wool OF the North 20 without pro-
lection The world had never seen such
a mess as this administration was making
OF things, he said. and ended with reiter-
alton OF his text. If they don't hear us
tomorrow they VIII hear from next No
Vember."
Paul Wallace OF Gernantown. asserted
that no one wanted the " Milson bill but the
importers and a few theorists, and hs
praised Senator Smith, OF New Jersey for
his stand against the bin. Samuel Gibson.
OF Philadelphia, John Lawrence, of Bristol
and George Walsh spoke in the same strain
arguing that the tariff reductions made re-
ductionS in wages
There We're calls for Congressman Wanger
Of Pennsylvania. who was I'm the hall. and
he made brief speech Allusions 10 the
senior Senator from New York and the
junior Senator from New Jersey were
cheered. The Representative advised the
workingmen not 20 make threats il>~fhelr
addresses 10 the Senate. He said fhaf II
| the Senate heard the delegatlon V~fsona1fx