The Portland daily press., 1894-05-02
COXEY AT THE CAPITOL.
He Was Hustled Away and Browne
Was Clubbed and Arrested.
BROWNE SAID THE PEOPLE WILL
ANSWER FOR HIM.

Christopher Columbus Jones Who Was
Also Arrested Recited the Lords Pray
er and Blamed the Newspapers-Then
the Army Marched to New Quarters
its Advance and Retreat.
Washington, May 1.-The Army .of the
Commonweal of Christi as it is profanely
called, could not have had more charming
time for their entry into the National
Capital.
A trip along the line of march before
the motley procession started would not
have been very inspiring, however to the
Coxeyites There was nothing at first to IN
dicate that what these fanatical men have
predicted is to be great social revolution
was about to take place. The people of
Washington were about their accustomed
business. Laborers who were willing to
work for fair wages and glad to get work,
were employed along the line in building
operations. The stores were open as usual,
and there seemed to be no one who is appre-
hended lawlessness. The only difference in
OuIWaFu dppodEduC0 lIOiu ally OUllOl o0y
was that many more policemen were Visible.
They seemed to be in abundance everywhere.
About an hour before the procession was
to reach Pennsylvania avenue on its march
to the Capitol, there was rather unusual
sight. A company of the famous Black
Cavalry from Fort Meyer, with carbines
swung across their shoulders, ammunition
in their belts and swords at their sides,
swept down the avenue from the Fort at
hard trot in the direction of the Capitol.
There was not an officer in that company
who has not been breveted for bravery in
Indian fighting. There was not cavalry
man who has not done valiant deeds in the
Indian country. 1t was one of the picked
companies of the
FAMOUS FIGHTING NINTH CAVALRY.
What it was to do no one knew. But 1t
proceeded down the avenue as if imperative
orders had been received, and any one who
knew the record of that regiment knew that
tie orders would be obeyed. The company,
it was afterwards learned, was stationed at
the navy yard, ready for service if needed.
The Coxey show was greatly overadver-
tised. AS the procession approached the
corporation line a squadron of police was
formed at front and rear of it, while at in
teryals there was a mounted escort on
either side. All along the route. as the pro-
cession approached, police ofic ers, who had
not been seen before, seemed to spring from
the grounds. There were half dozen on
each square, There was force enough with
in half dozen blocks to cope with the
entire motley army.
1t. was not until this ragamufhn crowd
entered the city that the pc ople perceived
what an outrage has been committed in per-
mitting these men to terrify and distract
the country. There may have been unem-
ployed workingmen among them but they
looked like the scum of the cities.
Coxey's daughter led the procession,
mounted on white horse. She is as much
overadvertised for her beauty as is the
entire army of the commonweal. Carle
Browne rode on costly stallion, wore his
gray buckskin coat, and looked the fakir
that he is. Coxey and his wife, and little
Legal Tender Coxey, their infant son, fol
lowed in low phaeton, peddlars' appre n
tice turned demagogue. Mrs. Coxey was
dessed in black silk, and looked refined,
motherly woman.
Jesse Co key, the eighteen year old son of
Coxey. by his divorced wife, dressed in
cadet uniform of blue and gray, formed the
euard of honor for his father and STEP
mother. He was mounted on spirited
horse. ,+E r9~f
OKLAHOMA SAM RODE UP AND DOWN
the line, keeping the man in order, while
Robert Mcmahon of Cumberland, Nd. alias
s.Roy Kirke,' Marshal Brownies private
secretary, rode on black stallion.
The rank and file of the army followed
with the band and baggage and commissary
wagons piled high with camp equipage. The
men had spruced up a bit for the great
parade, but they were sorry-looklng set,
with their broken shoes and ragged clothes.
Every man had a canteen or a tin cup
slung over his shoulder. and carried one of
Brownies cotton banners of peace on lath.
The commonwealers marched by twoes,
each commune separated from the following
commune by baggage wagon. The Phila-
delphia contingent, under Christopher
Columbus Jones, numbering sixty men,
brought up the rear.
Gen. Coxey and his followers reached the
east front of the Capitol at one O'Clock. The
Immense crowd at the eastern front of the
Capitol saw Coxey, bareheaded, proceed to
the steps of the east portico and mount to
the first platform about five steps.
Here were stationed Captain Kelley and
other officers of the police force. They met
the General before he had time to turn his
face to the gathered multitude, and ne was
politely informed that he could make no
speech at that place. Coxey said firmly:
81 wish to enter protest"
s'No, sir,'' firmly replied the captain; 'syou
can take no action here of any kind"
The police were courteous, but very firm.
Coxey then, bareheaded as he was, said:
'sWel then, wish to read a programme.
ssIt cannot be read said the officer
Coxey showed no inclination to yield, and
he was unceremoniously hustled off the
steps out into the middle of the broad plaza
in front of the Capitol. He made no physical
resistance, but protested all the while, and
the crowd gathered round him and OBJ
structed the way somewhat, but it was not
a hustle of resistance, but seemed more like
curiosity
The police did not use their clubs; no one
was struck, and the immense crowd was
handled in the kindliest yet in the firmest
and most effective manner. All who came
expecting serious trouble, and they were
not few. were disappointed.
Covav not being formally put under arrest