New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-13
TRAMPS And La W.


The evacuation Of Washington by Coxey's
| tramps indicates the failure of this Popullst
| enternrise as q dime-drawing attraction. The
retreat to Bladensburg has been conducted with
| full ranks. but only n small proportion Of the
| force represents the original battalons which
marched over the mountains from Ohio. The
veterans have fallen out and their places have
been taken by Migrants, who are willing to re-
main in the new camp so long as the pro
| visions NAV hold out The change OF base was
| rendered necessary not only by the pestilential
conditions of the Washington camp and the
COLLAPSE of the show business. but also by the
warning received by Coxey that his followers
if they remained in the city would be exposed
TO arrest as Migrants.
The District authorities have been unduly
lenient in their treatment Of the tramps They
ought TO have made an example OF them for
the sake of the moral effect upon the bands OF
disconnected idlers and desperadoes still
swarming in the West and prowling about
the country If fifty Of them had been SEN
fenced for thirty days in the wOrkhouse. the
tramp armies would have broken ranks all
the way from Maryland TO Oregon, and the
movement would have been brought TO an IL
nomlnious close The sentencing OF Coxey and
his chief mountebanks to short terms IN jail
oucht also to have followed their conviction
in the District courts There have been mo-
lions for arrest Of judgment and new trial,
and their punishment now depends upon the
discretion of the Judge and may be reduced to
An insignificant fine. There has been lament
able lack Of courage and vigor In dealing with
these disurbers Of the peace, who are largely
responsible for i very dangerous movement OF
the idle and vicious classes
Lnxity Of the same kind has been shown In
the Western States. Governor Mckinley is al
most the only State executive who has acted
promptly and decisivey in suppressing lawless-
ness The Populist Governors have not taken
any pains to conceal their sympathy with the
tramp movement. They have been idle spec
tators when organized raids were made upon
railway property. Governor dwellings ofer
of the State House grounds as IA camping
place for the Cripple Creek regiment OF train
marauders under charge OF united states
marshals denoted benevolent feeling'Of hospi-
tally for the law-breakers under guard.
series OF outrag es have been committed against
public law in various States, but although
Government troops have been employed ana
United States marshals have been under IRE,
there does not appear anywhere TO be strength
enough in the law to secure the punishment OF
law-breakers
This sluggishness OF the authorities, National
and State, in enforcing respect for law Is 10
be explained by the political conditions now
prevailing The tramp movement is distinct
lively Populist agitation, and those In power
both In Washington and in the Western Statfs
are not prepared TO proceed openly and Ngor-
ously against it. They are warned by the zeal
of Populist Senators and Congressman In
springing to the defence OF Coxey that these
bands OF tramps and train-stcalcrs represent
the element Of social restlessness and discon-
| tent TO which demagogues appealed success
| fully In 1892 They dread the political conse-
| 0ucnces Of decisive action which will restore
| order and respect for law East and West.
| Some of their craven apologists are contend
| ing that 1t will be unsafe to convert Coxey,
| Sanders, and the other Populist Generals"
| into martyrs by furnishing them according TO
| their deserts Let them alone" they are say
| ing "and their followers will soon desert them
This drifting policy has already led to re-
| newal of lawlessness and a revival OF tramp
enlistments
| For sober-minded Americans who take an
honest pride in the Institutions and reputa-
| ton Of their country the spectacle which has
| been presented during the last month has been
| fraught with humiliation and disgrace. Nothing
| in the history of the Nation has been more
| discreditable than the swarming Of tens OF
thousands Of tramps and criminals in an I'M
beetle and crazy advance upon Washington,
| and the simultaneous paralysis or the rune
| lions and resources Of law.