Evening star., 1894-04-13

There is apparently good reason for be-
heving that the floating population OF the
District Of Columbia will be increased ma
terially before the first day Of May. Ordi-
rarily an influx of visitors receives cor
dial greeting. but the multitude that moves
fn this direction at this time (the sound OF
whose footsteps Is already heard) will not
Be enthusiastically welcomed by their fel-
low-creatures who reside here. To such an
apparently inhospitable statement excep-
lions will surely be taken by washingtonians
who sympathize with the Coxey movement,
but the statement is none the less true.
The only popular feeling that exists to any
extent Is one of apprehension as to what
may happen when the horde of discontented
men reaches the National Capital. and
nnds here neither work, nor sufficient
bread, nor the desired legislation. The
component parts of the so-called army
are now fairly in motion. and although the
visible streams that trickle toward the seat
Of government are smaller IN volume than
they were advertised to be at this time, they
are entirely too large now, and may easily
achieve torrent-like depth and breadth
without an hours warning. From the west
come three divisions: One led by the ruling
spirits of the senseless crusade. almost
across the Maryland state line after a
wearisome march over the snow-covered
Alleghenies; another. originating on the Pa
cifc coast, is in Illinois; the third, also from
the continents western rim, is moving rap
Idly in this direction down the eastern
elopes Of the Rockies. Philadelphia's con-
tingent Is coming along in a hap-hazard
but determined fashion, while the Boston
crowd has arranged to depart from its local
rendezvous three or four days hence. New
York and Baltimore are booked to contribute
many unemployed to the grand total, and
Will doubtless do so in ample season. Then
II II known that a large number of men
who may be professional tramps or gen.
uine toilers out OF work-are conveniently
near to the city, ready to swarm in with
the main body when that approaches the
District line two weeks hence. but who are
at present restrained by a wholesome fear
Of the Districts vagrancy laws. The null
dtude may not be SO great when it reaches
Washington as Coxey insisted it would be,
but that it will be large enough to cause
disturbance is evident even now. Reason
able estimates place the number of organ
lied marchers at present looking to Wash
ington their goal at something like
thirty-five hundred, and if that total is not
increased by the addition of even a single
recruit it will be an unreasonably large and
heavy burden upon this community But
the probabilities favor the incoming of
much larger number. Thousands of men
who have not identified themselves with the
doctrines advocated by Coxey. and who
care more for free food than for fat money
are expected to ally themselves with the
procession somewhere between Rockville
and the District line. 1t is more than likely
that many naturally curious strangers will
Journey to this city to see the Common
veal demonstrate attempt to demon
strate before Congress, and the coming of
all these elements will surely result in the
appearance Of every burglar and highway
man and sneak thief and tramp who sees
promise Of better business here than any
where else at that time. To meet the con-
ditioDs the local authorities are doubtless
making the necessary preparations which
should be ample and so planned as to pro-
vide for any emergency. The situation is a
serious one and should be treated after a
serious fashion There is sufficient time In
which to arrange a plan Of action, and
there will be no excuse for falling to do so.
Especial attention will be need 10 be paid to
the policing of the city, and every effort
should be made TO keep "the army" together
from the time it enters the city until those
VINO are In control of affairs decide that
tine army had better disband and move on.