Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-23
AS TOCOXEY'S ARMY.
The Commissioners of the District
Issue a Proclamation.
NO use In COMING TO TIE DISTRICT.
No Good Can Be Accomplished by
Such Action.
THE LAW WILL BE ENFORCED.

The Commissioners have shown their
hands with reference to the Coxey move
ment and this afternoon issued their proc
lamation.
When President Ross called the board to-
gether this morning 1t was evident that
they would take some definite action re-
garding the approach of Coxey. All Of the
doors leading to the board room were clos
ed. and the Commissioners announced an
executive session and gave instructions to
the messengers not TO Interrupt them.
As soon as the Commissioners were seat
ed President Ross stated the business that
had called them together in special session
and opened the discussion. The question
was what action the Commissioners should
take in advance of the arrival of the army.
Attorney Thomas and Maj. Moore were
sent for, and the laws governing the case
presented in full Then the latter were ex-
cused and the Commissioners went about
preparing their proclamation.
A Proclamation.
When, two hours later. they emerged
from the board room, they issued the fol-
| lowing.
Office of the Commissioners OF the District
of Columbia. Washington. April q. 1894.
To Whom 1t May Concern:
|
ganized bodies of men are approaching the
District OF Columbia with the avowed pur-
pose of securing such Congressional action
as will relieve the condition Of unemployed
iaborers throughout the country.
And whereas, All unemployed men and
others throughout the country who may be
in sympathy with the movement have been
invited to assemble in front Of the National
| Capitol on the LIST of May proximo for the
purpose of compelling favorable action by
! Congress, by mere force of numbers and
physical presence:
And whereas, The constitutional right OF
petition does not justify methods dangerous
| to peace and good order, which threaten the
| quiet of the national capital. which are
contrary to law and opposed to the ordinary
means of obtaining legislative relief under
our system of government;
| And whereas. Ii is declared TO be the in
| tention OF this body of unemployed and des-
titure people. not only TO gather together for
| the purposes aforesaid at the city of WASH
| ington but there TO remain until their mis-
sion shall have been accomplished;
| And whereas, The national capital is
chiefly devoted TO public business and is the
! center of federal legislation. and as a re-
suit Of its lack OF ordinary means of af-
| foruing employment is now taxed to its
utmost capacity in charitable efforts 20
| care for its own poor and unemployed:
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
| situation, and fully appreciating the hard
| ship which must come upon many innocent
but misguided people. II this iIl-considered
I movement should be continued. do hereby
/ appeal In the interest Of humanity and IN
| furtherance OF the peace and good order
| which are enJoined by the laws in force I'm
said District. to the good sense and patriot
| ism OF all those engaged in. or who contem-
plate taking any part in the proposed DEM
onstration, and urge them 10 reconsider
| their intention TO come into the District Of
! Columbia for that purpose.
No possible good can come Of such a gath
\ ering. and with no proper preparation or
means OF subsistence suffering and ultimate
disorder Will certainly ensue. No wrong
! can be righted. no condition of labor arne-
| liorated. remedy for any existing evil
realized by the Contemplated demonstration
Of physical force: Every desirable end can
| be more certainly and effectively accom-
plished by ordinary ana lawful methods.
The Commissioners while in entire gym
| 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 10
those who are tempted under any pretext
| to swell the number OF unemployed persons
| already here that there Is neither work for
! them nor means for their maintenance in
| the District; that the law does not permit
the soliciting Of aims in our streets, and
forbids parades. assemblages or orations in
| the Capitol grounds, and the obstruction OF
| any public grounds, streets, highways CT
avenues, and the approaches TO public or
| private buildings.
The Commissioners give notice also TO
criminals and evil doers who under cover
| of a crowd of unemployed men In our
streets may come here for the purpose OF
crime and disorder that all such will be ap-
pretended and summarily dealt with.
And finally. they give notice TO all who
come here against their advice and protest
| that the laws in force in the District of CO.
lumbia are adequate for every emergency.
| and will be riGidly enforced
JOHN w. ROSS,
GEORGE TRUESDELL,
CHARLES f. POWELL.
Commissioners OF the District OF Columbia
What Commissioner Ross Says.
Commissioner Ross, when questioned
about the matter. said:
I'VE believe in taking time by the fore
lock. and that is the reason we issued the
manifesto"
THE Commissioners viii see to Il that the
laws are enforced. IL We have any law gov-
erning the subject II there are no laws we
can do nothing. We have simply set forth
our views and will wait until the army ar
rives before doing anything else" said Capt.
Powell.
Position of the President.
1t is stated at the White House that the
President does not feel called upon 70 take
any action whatever in connection with
the Coxey movement. he feels confident
OF the ability of the local authorities to
deal properly with the situation. II may be
stated, however. that the President VIII
not hesitate TO call out the army in case IL
becomes necessary for the protection of
public property. There is a large force OF
military available for this service, and in
the event that the artillery at Washington
barracks the cavalry at Fort Myer and the
marines at the navy yard are not sufficient,
strong reinforcements are near at hand at
Fort McHenry, Md. Fort Monroe, Va. and
Governors Island, New York harbor.
There is not the least apprehension that
any trouble viii occur to require the inter-
. cession OF the federal troops. Private Sec
. | retary Thurber was asked today I'm regard
, TO the truth Of the repcTt that the Presi-
, dent will issue a proclamation in regard to
Coxey's army. admonishing them that n
, ! they visit the national capital that they
must observe the laws or suffer the conse-
quences. He said he knew nothing Of such
q proclamation, and. although he did not
say so, he intimated that il was not at all
| likely.
Must Put Their Request I'm writing.
This afternoon a delega ton appointed at
the mass meeting held last Saturday nig MT
in Rechabite Hall. consisting OF Mrs. Annie
Digs, Mrs. Clara Colby and Messrs. j. r.
Mahoney, J. A. Dewitt and A. NJ. Cooke,
appeared at the District building IN
quest OF the permit to allow a tally
no to stand at the corner Of Tth and Market
space for the use of public speakers TO aS-
\ - 10