The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-24
Hardship, Privation and Possible Arrest
Await the Coxeyites Who Are March
ing on to Washington.
LAWS WILL BE ENFORCED
Parades, Assemblages and Beg
ging Will Not Be Tolerated.
Action of Former Presidents in Times
of Peril-COxey's Reply to the Pro-
nunciamentO-The COmmOnweaL.

sioners of the District of Columbia took
action to-day on the impending COxey in
vasion. After long executive session and
consultation with the attorney for the Dis
trict, a manifesto was prepared and given
out, which calls attention TO the fact that
right of petition does not extend to the
lengths the Coxeyites appear to imagine.
Those who mediate coming to the capital
are warned that only hardship and priva-
ton await them here, and informs them
that no good can come of this proposed
pilgrimage. Following is the full text of
the commissioners proclamation, which is
addressed Ito whom 1t may concern
Whereas, 1t is reported that several or
ganzed bodies OF men are approaching the
District of Columbia, with the avowed pur-
pose of securing sucn congressional action
will relieve condition of unemployed
laborerS throughout the country; and,
Whereas, All unemployed men through
out the country who may be in sympathy
with the movement have been invited tc
assemble in front of the national Capitol
- the 1st day of May proXimo for the pur-
gress by N.nere force of numbers ana phys
zeal preSent =; and,
Whereas, 7she constitutional right of pc
tition does not justify methods dangerous
TO peace and good order, Whicn threaten
the quiet of the national capital, which are
contrary to law ana opposed to the or
dinary means of obtaining legislative relief
under our system of government; and,
'WheI eas, 1t is declared 10 be the in
tention OF this body of unemployed and
gether for the purpose aforeSt ld, at the
city of Washington. but there tG, remain
until their mission shall have, been accom-
plshed and
Whereas, The national capital is chiefly
devoted TO public business and is the ceh-
ter OF federal legislation and as a result or
its lack or ordinary means OF affording
employment, is now taxed to its utmost
capacity in charitable efforts to care for
fG
Now, therefore, the commissioners of
the District of Columbia, who are charged
with the duty of maintaining peace and
good order, and with enforcing the laws
in said District, being sensible OF the grav-
ity of the situation and fully appreciating
the hardship which must come upon many
innocent but misguided people, il this ILL
considered movement should be continued,
they hereby appeal, in the interest of hu-
manity and in furtherance of the peace and
good order which are enjoined by the
laws in force in said District, to the good
sense and patriotism OF all those engaged
in or who contemplate taking any part in
the proposed demonstration, and urge them
TO reconsider their intention to come into
the District or Columbia for that purpose.
mo possible good come of such
gathering and with no proper preparations
or means of subsistence, suffering and ulti-
mate disorder will certainly ensue. No
wrong can be righted. no condition of labor
amelorated, no remedy for any existing
evil realized by the contemplated demon
stration of physical force Every desirable
end can be more certainly and effectively
accomplished by ordinary and lawful meth
DDS.
THE commissioners, while in entire sym
pathy with all people out of employment,
and having no desire or purpose 10 deal
harshly with unfortunate but honest men
who seek relief by reasonable and lawful
means, are in duty bound TO give notice to
those who are tempted under any pretext
to swell the number of unemployed per-
sons already here that there is neither
work for them nor means for their mainte
nance in the District that the law does not
and fOrbidS parades, asSemblageS or ora
tions in the Capitol grounds. and the OBJ
highways or avenues and the approaches
to public or private buildings.
The commissioners give notice also to
cover of a crowd of unemployed men In
our streets. may come here for the purposes
apprehended and summarily dealt with
and finally, they give notice to all who
come here against their advice and pro-
test, that the laws in force in the District
Of Columbia are adequate for emergency.
and will be rigidiy enforced
ACTION OF PRESIDENTS.
1t was reported yesterday that the Pres-
dent intended to issue a proclamation, but
ii is probable he changed his mind or de-
cided to issue it through the commissioners.
If he had issued ii over his own signature
he would have been supported by the course
of at least two of his predecessors in the
executive mansion. During Buchanan's ad-
ministration, when the "Knownothing''
party disbanded some OF the remnants of
the defunct political organization deter
mined TO proceed to Washington with the
intention of forcing Congress to adopt GER
tain legislation in conformity with views
entertained by them on political and relg-
ioUs questions. The mob arrived in Wash
ington and proceeded to commit a number
of overt acts against the peace. Among
sent to America by the Pope of Rome to be
placed in the Washington monument. Pres
warning TO them, and subsequently ordered
out the United States marines and drove
the peace breakers out of the city.
nection with the inauguration Of Hayes
and Wheeler in 1876. So incensed were
some of the friends of Tilden over the
suit Of the finding of the Electoral Com
mission that they threatened to send 1OO,-
coo unarmed men to. Washington to pre-
vent the inauguration of Hayes and
Wheeler. On that occasion President Grant
made a statement through the newspapers
ington, unless they could come in a peace
full and orderly manner and thereupon he
ordered number Of regular troops TO be
temporarily stationed in Washington for
any emergency that might arise.
In the present instance there is no dispo-
SitiOn to interfere with the right of citizens
who contemplate coming TO Washington in
a peaceful and orderly way, but there are
itors. and the authorities will see that they
are strictly enforced. The city is already
filling up with idle and undesirable citizens
and il is not intended that they shall be-
come a public charge. The police officers
are advised that many of the notorious
crooks who centered at Chicago during the
worlds fair are in this vitfilty in the
guise of law-abiding citizens looking for
work.
UNKNOWN SMITH ON HAND.
Unknown Smith, the late redoubtable
lieutenant of General Coxey, strikingly
rayed in a brown velveteen coat and vest,
white riding trousers and black leggings
and bedecked with jewelry. reached Wash
ington to-day and appeared at the local
Coxey headquarters. With him was
Cheeky Childs, erstwhile Of the Coxey
army and between times an unauthorized
advance agent Of the corps The ''un-
known" says he came in to-day from
Frederick Md. where about six hundred
of his adnerents, he asserts, are in waiting.
living in squads upon the country people.
He spoke in the most glowing terms OF
the COXey movement, and denied having
had any personal difficulty with Browne
He looked TO RedstOne TO settle the slight
misunderstanding that had arisen between
himself and General Coxey, and said that II
H H. Il &-NI