Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-28
WHAT BYRNeS WOULD 90.
The Coxcyites Wouldn't Last Long In
New York City.

"What do you think Of CoXey's army
was the question asked yesterday by
Tribune reporter. who ran across super
intendent Byrnes at police headquarters.
Not much Of it, but a good deal about
it," was the reply. which WAS suggestive.
for when Thomas Byrnes. New York
able Superintendent of Police, thinks
much about anything, his views are likely
| To b. inter sting.
III the army came to New York. Mr..
| Superintendent what would you d0?''
Under the law of this State" Mr..
| Byrnes said. they could not march
| through the city without permit. and l
certainly would not grant one to them"
what about their march across the
country To Washington
81 think IL Is the most dangerous move
ment that this country has witnessed
since the war. II IS an outrage that an
army OF men should be got together by un-
authorized persons who hold no offices UNI
der the General Government. but are self
constituted generals. culoncls. and cap
tains, ana should march through several
States of the Union 10 the Capitol at
washington The movement is un-Ameri-
can, and a disgrace to the country. even
II it IS not revolutionary. and II should
b. stopped"
Has not the movement been looked at
by the country as harmless
"Perhaps 50. but It is no Joke when such
a crowd of men can be permitted To march
through the country, intmldating peace
able people getting support on their
march partly by such intimidation. and
heading for the seat Of the National Gov
eminent, with the declared intention of
compelling our lawmakers In Congress
10 submit to their preposterous demands"
sIIau pauil they he StoUD4Ig'
eff there Is no law in the statute books
by which the progress Of such an army
through several States can be prevented,
Congress IL now in session. and the sooner
such a law Is passed the better IL will
be for the peace and security Of the peo-
pie Of this country. There Is general
feeling OF sociallstic sympathy among
certain classes in this country. Ii Is to
be noticed whenever there Is a strike, and
whenever there Is Il clash between EN-
ployers and their workmen. That IL why
the march OF Coxey's army should be
stopped. There Is no movement which
could have a greater tendency to fan and
foster that socialistic feeling"
'Is not the army too small to make
serious trOuble?"
THE example set by Coxey's men Is
being followed by other unauthorized
DdUIS, uItl luslc 10 tD ttiIUS uDW Iiduy
Will be heading for Washington shortly.
Just fancy having. under form OF gov
eminent like ours. from 500 to 5000 I'M
employed and practically destitute men
encamped about Washington and de-
manding Of the General Government sue
cor and support, when they should be at
home in their own States. earning their
bread by honest labor. What will bs
done with the men when they get to
Washington? The more that are allowed
TO go there the harder Will be the task
Of disposing of them. II they are aban-
doned by their leaders and left 10 starye
there will be bloodshed. Are they 10 get
free transportation back TO their homes.
or will they be permitted TO beg and
steal and terrorlze the city OF Washing
ton?'
what IS your opinion regarding the
character OF the men In the Common
veal army?'
"My belief Is that about 81 per cent.
Of them are foreigners. l can't imagine
how any true American could so far
humiliate himself as to join In II begging
expedition OF that kind. All OF the men,
doubtless, are tramps or cranks. There
probably Is not one among the lot who
could be considered an able mechanic
or a fair laborer. They don't like work,
and, very likely. they would steal II they
had opportunity.