Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1894-04-14
\ Railing Meeting.

call ny mayor tuu bOuucll 1Of cit
liens meeting to devise the best means
of protection, if necessary, against the
invasion of Coxey's Army of the Com
monweal.
Councilman Anthony stated the OBJ
ject of the meeting, and
On motion, }. H. Hltchins, was
elected chairman, and John Chambers,
secretary.
Clayton Purnell asked if motion
passed by Council Monday evening
could be read
Mr.. Smith, of Council, stated the
motion was that Mayor and Council
call a meeting of citizens for this
"Wednesday evening, and the Mayor
appoint committee of three Council
men to act in conjunction with com
mittee of citizens from this meeting to
devise ways and means to properly
protect the town, and, if necessary.
the committee is empowered to eXpend
ii sum of money not exceeding 500.
c. H. Walker asked if the Mayor or
Council had received any request for
assistance from Coxey's people.
Mr.. Anthony said they had received
no such request.
j. S. Metzger asked if this 500 was
appropriated for entertainment or
protection.
Mr.. Smith, of Council. sad it was
tor protection.
George f. Pearce moved that the
Mayor appoint fifteen extra policemen
to serve during CoXey's stay here, and
if more protection was deemed neces-
sary to call on the Sheriff of the coun-
ty to supply it.
The motion was seconded and
brought out considerable debate.
G H. Wittig said that it was in his
OPINION unnecessary to meet these
people with guns, as they We're no
worse than many hundreds of other
lhCll wiz "SIt otl vi WI uu(t toul-
PEELED to tramp. 1t was certainly "a
sad thing to see the country changed
in one short year from the heights of
prosperity to the depths of adversely,
and he would move that the base ball
park be leased for the use of CoXey $
Army while here and food provided
for them at the expense of the
corporation.
A. a. Doub also thought that food
should be furnished. as it would, in
his opinion, be the very best means of
protection.
Mr.. Purnell showed the meeting in
a few well chosen words that the Coun-
Gil had no right to provide food or
shelter for one tramp, nor an army of
tramps from the city's funds.
On Mr.. Pearce's motion being call
ed for, it was submitted and lost.
Joseph Bear moved that a committee
of three be appointed to act in con-
junction with Councils committee and
they devise the proper means to get
the Army through the town. This
motion, after considerable debate,
was put and lost.
j. B. Oder presented three resolu.
tons which he requested be read to
meeting when in order, as follows:
|, That it is the sense of this meeting that
the Mayor and Bailitf are already invested
with ample police power to preserve order
and protect life and property, and that any
appropriation therefor is unnecessary.
2 That it is not only unwise to extend
municipal hospitality to any organized body
Of the character of Jacob S. Coxey S socaled
army, but any appropriation for that purpose
is diversion of public money unwarranted
by law.
s. That as a measure further securing pub
lie order it is suggested that the Mayor and
Council request the proprietor of every place
where liquor or beer or both, are sold, to
close such place SO long as in the judgment
of the Mayor any cause for danger exists
After considerable adverse debate
Mr.. Oder stated that having done
what he conceived to be his duty as
a citizen, asked permission to with
draw his resolutions, and Il motion was
made to grant it.
On being submitted, permission was
refused.
On motion, the resolutions present
ed by Mr.. Oder were adopted
Mr.. Chambers moved that IL COM
mittee of five be appointed by the
chair to solicit money or provisions to
supply the Army of the Commonweal
while here, said committee to act in
conjunction with Committee of Coun-
clmen.
Motion was amended by Mr.. Wittig
that committee act independent of
Council committee.
The committee appointed are George
ii. Wlt;ig, chairman George Jones,
Peter Lammert, Theo. Gunnett, John
Chambers.
Mr.. Wittig stated he would donate
fifty loaves of bread if the Army staid
here one day; two days he would do
nate one hundred.
The meeting then adjourned.