Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-05-10

NEW York, May 3.-When the steamer
c. II. Northam of the New Haven line
swung into her pier on the East river at {
O'Clock this afternoon, a ragged, rusty
crowd appeared in the after gangway wav-
ing worn and tattered American flags of a
cheap make to the people assembled ON the
dock. A faint cheer, too, went up from the
threats of the voyagers.
Foremost i'll the group on the boat was a
short, thick set man who carried q short
bamboo cane, around the top of which was
n blue ribbon somewhat soiled. As the boat
swung nearer the deck this man issued an
order to the crowd back of him. there was
general movement of the rusty individuals
and more flags were brought to view Then
when the boat was finally made fast it was
seen that the men in the gangway were
drawn up in columns of two. The plank
was run out.
Forward, march, " said the leader, and
the line started to move down the plank.
"Git back in there, will yez ~ was the
next order. 1t was issued this time, how
ever by policeman 8ho rushed up the
gangway waving his clnb and followed by
eight or nine more policemen. There was
a general retreat on the part of the people
coming out, and the line was broken.
'What is the meaning of this treatment ~
asked the leader of the vovagers ip an in
jured voice "What do you mean. say -
"Who are you and where are you GO
ing - asked the officer.
81 am VI. d. Fitzgerald" replied the
man. lin command of the New England
division of the Commonweal Army, and we
are on our way to Washington to join Gen.
CoXey, our commandment chief. We pro-
pose to spend few days in your city. We
are now going to march to No. so East 10th
street. the headquarters of the peoples par
ty.' "Have you got a permit to parade -
asked the officer. Fitzgerald said he had
not well, then you don't parade said
the policeman.
The general muttered something about
the police being the tools of the monopolists
and about a different order of things some
time or other in the future, but he was told
to shut up.
CHOW, move along" was the next com
mand and the New England wealers moved
off the boat.
'Furl up those flags and scatter, " said
the officer, and his order was obeyed. The
men did not lose sight of their leader, how
ever. Fitzgerald walked at the head of tho
crowd and took the shortest route to the
Bowery, talking to the reporters as he
moved along. He was greatly disappoint-
ed because there was no reception commit
tee at the wharf
Asked as to what he was going to do with
his army for the next few days. he said.
eve are in the hands of the reception COM
mittee. | don't know what my plans will
be till | see them 1t is likely, however
that we will remain here until the arrival
of the army under Sweetland and Murray,
who are now at Bridgeport, Conn, but who
are expected to arrive tomorrow. II is
not true that | have had any trouble with
any of these men. II is probable that we
will get over in Jersey somewhere by Sun
day" Fitzgerald said also that he expected
to complete the trip on foot
Speaking of the army he said: "Why |
could have had 10, 600 men with me had
wanted them. All along the line ! have had
to fight to keep the ranks down. 1t is hard
enough to find rations for our present mem
bers"
Referring to Coxey's army at Washing
ton, Fitzgerald said: "Our cause is not lost
by any means, simply because Mr.. CoXey
was not allowed to make a speech on the
capitol steps. We are going there to help
carry along the fight, and we will take it to
a successful issue, too.
Here comes Coxey,n and "Hurrah for
Coxey," were some of the cries that rang
out as the army in broken rank moved up
the Bowery. Everybody seemed to know they
were wealers.