Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-05-03
COXEY ARRIVES.
The Comnonweal Commander-in
Chief Gets to Washington.
SAYS THERE NAY BE A REVOLUTION.
Anna L Diggs Joins the Army-Excits-
ment at Des MOines-IndIgnaat 1T
the Authorities-TheC Cali
fornia Armies

WASHINGTON, April so. - Citizen
James S. Coxey. commander-in-chiefo of
the good roads army of the common
veal, standing on a riclety wagon in
the center of Brightwood Driving park.
waving aloft his alpine hat to one of
the most cosmopolitan and extensive
audiences ever gathered in Wash
ington, announced yesterday after
noon the greatest march of the
nineteenth century had been &C
complished. Three hundred and 6
half of miserably dressed, woebegone,
grumbling, out at the elbows and run
down at the heel specimens of human
ity marched into the park led by a
wheeling apology for a band, pitched
tents and stretched themselves in the
sun Thousands from the city turned
out to make a holiday of it and inspect
the curious aggregation
The question which has most agi-
tated Washington of late was pro-
pounded to him by the press reporter
What do you intend to do when the
police prevent you from holding your
meeting in the capitol grounds?" he
was asked.
mo one will prevent u.s." replied the
seer from Massillon. docs not the
constitution guarantee the right to
peaceably assemble and petition con-
gress?"
But there is a police regulation
passed by congress which forbids pro-
cessions and assemblages on the CAPT
toll grounds, and the police will stop
your army if it attempts to trespass-"
THE constitution was written before
any police regulations" replied the
general IF they come in conflict
with the constitution, they are void
We stand squarely upon the constitu-
ton, that is our platform
How do you intend to enforce your
rights?'
There is but one way, by an ap-
peal to the courts. We will go before
the highest courts in the land if neces-
sary. Meanwhile we will wait here
in Washington if it takes all summer.
If the courts refuse us our rights there
will be a revolution do not advoca tie
revolution. nor do 1 desire it, but it
will be irresistible, and it will be the
greatest revolution of history, if the
| American people are once thoroughly
aroused"
A woman has joined the army. Her
name is Anna L. Diggs, and she is
| well known throughout Kansas and
other parts of the west as a labor agi-
| tator. She came up from Washington
| on a late train last evening, and with
| in an hour was wearing the white-and-
| gold badge of a regular marshal All
| the arrangements have been made for
| her to ride beside Gen. Coxey as the
column moves up Pennsylvania avenue
| tomorrow.
Nothing to compare with this move
ment has ever happened in the history
of the world" said Mrs Diggs, land it
is absolutely certain to work a revolu-
| ton in the condition of the laboring
classes The members of the common
veal have been called 'hoboes-' 1 am
proud of being hobo for 1 believe
that the name will become a term of
! honor within the next decade.
THE people of Washington are all
! in a furry over the coming of the COM
monweal Some of them are shaking
| in their shoes with fear and others are
fairly laughing their eyes out, but only
a few of us understand the true siani-
| ficance of this great movement. Many
Washington women are greatly inter
ested in the army and several hundred
of them have arranged to drive out and
meet the column when it marches into
the city"