Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-02
COXEY'S LUCK.
Kicked off the Capitol Steps by
the Police.
Colonel" Browne CIubbsd and
Locked Up in Station,
christopher Columbus Jones" Also Enjoys Q
Like Pleasure.

IL SOXty SOU-
monweal army's parade reached the city
limits at 20. 1t was not permitted west
of lith street, at the instance of the Presi-
dent, who thought it inadvisable to hazard
a possible demonstration by some crank in
front of the White House or treasury build
ing. Coxey wanted to pass these two points
but Major Moore firmly insisted on the l4th
street line of march. The march down
Pennsylvania avenue was without incident.
At 1920 the procession reached Florida
avenue, the northern boundary Of the city,
and the army passed into the promised land
without receiving 90 much as a cheer. The
immense crowd on the eastern front of the
Capitol saw Coxey, bareheaded, proceed
to the steps of the east portico and mount
the first platform about Ave steps. Here
were stationed Capt. Kelley and other off,
GERS of the police force. They met the gen.
eral before he had time to turn his face to
the gathered multitude, and he was politely
informed he could make no speech at that
place. Coxey said firmly, ~ wish to enter
a protest"
"No sir, firmly replied the captain, ''you
can take no action here of any kind"
The police were courteous but very firm.
Coxey, bareheaded as he was, said:
"Well, then, wish to read a programme"
"It cannot be read here" said the officer.
Coxey showed no inclination to yield and
he was unceremOniously hustled off the
steps out into the middle of the broad plaza
in the front of the capitol.
He made no physical resistance, but pro-
tested all the while and the crowd gathered
around him and obstructed the way some
what, but it was not hustle of resistance,
but seemed more like curiosity. The po-
lice did not use their clubs, no one was
struck and the immense crowd was handled
in the kindliest yet in the frmest
and most effective manner. All who came
expecting some trouble, and there were not
q few, were disappointed. Coxey was not
formally put under arrest. lie was simply
put off the Capitol steps, far enough off to
prevent his reascending.
Browne was not SO fortunate as Coxey.
He rode his charger in the forbidden paths
of the Capitol grounds and jumped him
over the stone coping to the eastern part of
the park. A mounted officer started after
him and as he resisted arrest he received a
clubbing. His head was cut, but it 10 not
thought he was badly hurt.
When Coxey passed out of the Capitol
grounds to rejoin his army, the party was
followed by at least $1,000 people, and the
officers and those with the crowds who
pressed in front made the passage difficult.
Finally the police and their charge reached
the head of the procession on b street,
directly in front of the residence of Con-
gressman Springer of Illinois. Somebody
set up cheer and thousands Joined as the
head of the Commonweal pu u,hed his way to
his carriage.
The mob behind and thousands more on
B street pushed forward eagerly towards the
vehicle in which sat Mrs. Coxey
with the little Legal Tender" in
her arms. The middle of the pa
rade was jammed and jostled about
by the crowd, some being thrown about in
every direction. Mounted police rushed
into the crowd, endeavoriDg to get them
back to the sidewalk and restore some
semblance of order, but for sometime to no
avail. 1t became necessary to use their
clubs as menace.
Some of the Coxeyites were jostled and
crowded until they reached the wall of the
grounds and looked ss though they were
about to head for the Capitol. A rush was
made by the mass of people upon the scene
and many ran pell nell to the plaza over
the lawns, trampling down the shrubbery
and vines. The white palfry on which Miss
Coxey was mounted became frightened and
attempted to run away, but was held back
by young man who clung to the horses
bride. Coxey finally managed to get into
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