The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-05-01
PEACEFUL INVADERS.
Coxey Fails to Secure Permission
for His Meeting.
BUT HIS FOLLOWERS MAY PARADE.
The Commonweal Leader Endeavors to
Secure Speaker Crlsp's Consent for the
Use of tho Capitol steps-Keiley's Army
Waiting for a Free Train.

Use of tho Capitol steps-Keiley's Army
Waiting for a Free Train.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-The second day
of the Commolweal army in Washington
was spent by Commander Coxey in max
ing arrangements with the authorities for
his May Day demonstration, and by the
men in the miserable little camp up at
Drightwood in grumbling at the poor fare
provided for them. Not until after 1
o'clock was the first meal of the day
served, that consisting of poor bread and
worse coffee.
Il was agreed by the authorities that
the army were at liberty to march the
streets, but must not attempt to march
into the Capitol grounds in body. Coxey,
however, announced to Major Moore, as
he docs to everybody else, his intention to
speak from the Capitol steps.
Having finished the public demonstra-
tion, the Commonweal soldiers will march
to vacant lot at Second and NJ streets
southwest, where they will pitch their
tents. The leaders announce that this will
be the permanent camp of the Army of
Peace until the Coxey bills are passed by
congress. Other contingents are expected
to join there, they say. The present camp
is too far from the city, and there are
rumors of disagreement between the race
park owners and the army leaders over the
division of gate receipts.
Coxey first sailed forth yesterday to the
district building under the wing of A.
w. Cook, local sympathizer. Commits
sioner Ross received him pleasantly He
announced his desire to move to the new
camping ground. Commissioner Powell
objected on the ground that the proximity
of the old James creek canal, with its foul
odors, made the place unhealthy.
1--WE would fumigate the grounds" said
Mr.. Coxey. Besides, our people are very
healthy. They can stand great deal. If
you could only have seen some of the
trials and tribulations they have under
gone on their march here, you would not
think the presence of a canal would affect
them"
How long do you expect to remain
herer' asked Commissioner Ross.
"Why, we expect to remain here until
we get action on our bills. The few men
that are with us are only forerunner of
what is coming. or course, when the
| full strength Of the army arrives this lot
| will not be large enough"
| A special meeting of the commissioners
was held with the result that permission
was granted Coxey to encamp by the
canal on the condition that he would em-
ploy plumber to make the necessary san
itary regulations.
From the district building Coxey went
to the office Of the sergeant t-at-arms of the
senNte. armed with letter of introduc-
ton from the chief Of police to Colonel
Brigas. Here he snid to an Associated
Press reporter: "Nothing remains for lis
but to make an amcable arrangement for
the meeting On the steps. We shall not
insist on marching into the grounds, but
when We reach the curb | will tell the boys
to break ranks and march in like other
citizens"
"Then WHAT"
'"Then the meeting will h~gin."
Suppose he sergeant -at-arns objectss'
"He cannot object. We can hold oul
meeting there as the constitution gives us
right to do 1t would be another thing
If we undertook to come inside the build
ing and hold meeting, but that we shal
not assume to do"
you will attempt the meeting then ii
the face of official objection2"
Yes, and regardless of the law, because
of our constitutional rights"
Sergeant-at-Arms Bright, of the senate
and Snow, of the house, were closetet
with Coxey about a quarter of an hour
These officials pointed out the statute con
cerning meetings and professions in the
Capitol grounds, and in reply to his OBJ
jections that the law was unconstitutional
they told him that they were here to ex
ecute the law and not to construe it.
Mr.. ICoxey had an interview witt
Speaker Crisp last night and endeayoret
to secure q revocation of the law prevent
ing meetings on the Capitol grounds, tn
speaker and vice president having tina
power. Mr.. Crisp declined to interfere
and Coxey was unable to see Vice Presi
dent Stevenson.