The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-05-11
ON THE STAND.
The Trial of Coxey and His Lieu
tenants at Washington.
THE LEADER GIVES HIS TESTIMONY.
Members of Congress Bear Witness Tn at
the Police Had Driven People
Over the Grass In Their
Charge.

WASHINGTON, May S-The trial of
the commonweal leaders, which has
dragged along in the police court for
three days, will be concluded to-day.
Coxey's explanation of his plans for re-
deeming the government was the prin-
cipal feature of yesterdays pro-
ceedings, apart from the speeches
by the lawyers. 1t is appar-
ent the case is being tested on
the broad grounds of justification
for Coxey's movement, for the assist
ant district attorney, in his opening
address, called Browne a crank and did
not hesitate to insinuate that Coxey
was knave, while the opposing law
yers endeavored to make the trial ap-
pear a persecution by the plutocrats of
the people, and appealed to animosity
against Wall street
Young Attorney Hyman, who de-
fends Browne and Jones, made the
opening statement for the defense.
There was no denial or defense for
what the commonwealers had done.
Defense consisted in the lawfulness
of their actions.
After two witnesses had been called
to prove that Coxev had not walked on
the grass, Coxey himself walked into
the witness stand. He gave his resi-
dence as Massillon, o.
"What is your business?" was asked.
II have a stone quarry, manufacture
sand for steel works and run a stock
farm am now engaged in lobbying
for the unemployed people"
What is the object of your visit to
Washington"
ITO petition congress to pass two
laws to give work to the unemployed
on public improvements" The men
who came with him did so, Mr.. Coxey
said, upon the principle that they
They were out of work. their families
were destitute at home"
did you obey the laws of the state?"
Not a chicken feather can be traced
to our camp We knew that the sue
cess of the movement depended upon
our behavior. Men were warned not
to beg or drink" In repeating his
conversation with the chief of police
at Washington Coxey said that it was
his purpose to keep within the laws.
He told Maj. Moore that the
army might break up and enter
the capi oil grounds as American
citizens and the chief said there
would be no objection to that HE
said he must not carry the banner into
the grounds because it was against the
law" the general continued 81 said
there was one banner from Pittsburgh,
given by laboring men that l had
promised to plant there il my life was
spared, and l would like to carry that.
However. the banner was packed into |
the wagons with the others. or gave
Marshal Browne orders to pack them"
Here Mr.. Lipscomb exhibited the |
banner. 1t was of white satin with |
green letters and read: "Pittsburgh |
and Allegheny. More Money; Less |
Misery; Good Roads; No Interest on
Bonds
"My object in going to the capitol"
said Mr.. CoXey, was to present to con-
yress my two bills, the good roads bill
and the Misunderstanding bond bill,
md to address the congress of the
United States and the American peo-
pie on them. l demanded the protec-
ion of the police. who seemed to be
Col Bright's right-hand bower, to pre-
'ent to congress the petition from la
1or organizations in favor of the bills"
Judge Miller would not permit the
as evidence the speech
yr. COxey intended to make. or the
protest he issued, saying they had
nothing to do with the trial Mr..
'oxey told the story of the march to
without any embellish-
nents-
Concerning the flags of peace carried
~ the army, Coxey said they had been
for the men in order to bring
nto notice the two bills which were
designed to bring peace on earth. good
will toward men. The organization
tself was a minor affair. merely an
mblem of the bills. He did not know
hat Browne had the banner when he
tarted for the capitol steps, and he did
lot consider the avenue leading to the
teps as part of the grounds.
Next came 10 the Slanu representa- |
i've Bland, of Missouri After some
over objections to questions,
udge Miller refused to permit the con-
'ressmau to tell how the police had
lu bbed the citizens
Representative Pence argued that the
efense wanted to show that all the
rouble was caused by the police, and
aid they had a dozen members of con-
ress to testify to that effect Finally
he members of congress were allowed
o tell that the police had driven wom-
n and children and men over the grass
n their charge.
The defense closed it's case and Mr..
.ipscomb asked Judge Miller to charge
he jury that the act of 1855 was not
ntepded to restrict the right of citi-
ems to peacefully assemble and petit
ion congress, and also that the banner
arried was displayed and designed to
ring this organization to notice;