Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-04-19


Hundreds Of people went out to see
Christopher Columbus Jones Army of
Commonwealers on the banks of She'll
pot creek, on Saturday, although few
OF them were astir until late hour
Many of them lay stretched out on the
ground near the smoking campfires, ap-
parently oblivious To all surroundings.
Commander Jones left the army shortly
after they arrived ON Friday and came
into the city, where he stopped at a
hotel for the night, Advance Agent
Mckee and William Phillips, the chief
spokesman for the Philadelphia brigade,
were also in tho city and secured the
best of accommodations.
On Saturday the trio of dignitaries
had an interview with Mayor Shortlidge,
Judge Ball, Chief OF Police Dolan and
Captain Kane in the chiefs office az the
city hall. The illustrious commander
was put through u trying ordeal of
questions, but answered the most of
them satisfactorily. When asked by
the mayor his object for remaining over
night in the suburbs, Jones replied that
he wanted to give his men a good rest
preparatory TO continuing their pilgrim
age to Washington.
Judge Ball, addressing the COM
mander, stated that he had seen a
pamphlet bearing the legend, "Chrst
and Coxey." He desired to know what
connection there was between the two.
Mr. Jones was not prepared for this
question and promptly referred his
honor to Mr.. Phillips, who said it was a
long story and would require much
time in which to explain the existing
| relations. tt
"Do you hope to make favorable
impression on the members of Con-
| gress?" asked the mayor.
swell, l don't know as | could an
swer that question" said Jones, assum-
ing an air Of wounded dignity.
After few moments deliberation
with the other city officials, Mayor
Shortlidge informed Commander Jones
that it would be to the interest of the
city for the army to move from the
banks of the Shellpot and continue
their journey through the city. The
chief Of police was willing to furnish
an escort for this purpose, the mayor
said, and would give them whatever
protection was necessary. Reports that
| some of the Commonwealers were beg
ging from house to house reached the
ears of the city authorities, and the
| officials, together with State Detectives
McVey and Witsil, were determine to
see that there was no more of the for
aging in this community.
Commander Jones listened to the
mayors ultimatum, and then, arising in
all his greatness, strobe majestically out
of the room, leaving Messrs. Mckee and
Phillips to make further arrangements
with the city officials.
"Well, you'll be ready at o'clock to
move" said Mayor Shortlidgc calmly,
but Commander Jones made no reply
and passed on. He had been informed
that his army was outside the city and
he had made up his mind to test the
authority Of the mayor.
Chief Spokesman Phillips, who by the
way is far superior to Commander
Jones in point of intelligence, arose at
this iuncture and apologized to the
mayor for tine rudeness of the com
mander in losing his temper and alb
ruptly leaving the room. He thanked
the mayor and all the city officials for
their cordial reception and kind treat
ment of the delegation, and assured
them they were willing to obey the man
dates of the law in every particular.
This ended the interview and the leaders
bowed to the mayor and took theiI
departure.
KICKED ON THE BREAKFAsT,
Lieutenant Clinton was in charge OF
the division the greater part of the
morning. He said that every man re.
sponded to roll-call and got his share Of
the provisions on Saturday. The break.
fast consisted of oatmeal, baked beans
and stale bread. Some of the men kicked
on the menu and declared they wanted
ham for breakfast, but Lieutenant Clin.
ton informed them that they could either
take what was given them or get out. II
is needless to say they remained.
"What kind of coffee do they give
you ?" asked a bystander Of Common.
wealer
"Coffee, did yer say? What vel
givin' us. / amt seen no coffee for o
week. Say, if yez thinks we live or
roast beef and lamb chops in this army
yez is away off. We Just take what
dey give us, and am mighty glad to gel
that"
"Did yez see anything Of that ole
gray whiskered leader of ours up the
street?" one of the number asked of ;
citizen who had just. arrived. "I
Jonesey don't come soon we'll move OF
without him."
Then several members of the army
started to amuse themselves by arousinl
some of the sleeping knights of tht
road who were summing themselves OF
the side of the bank. "Oh, let then
sleep; what's dc matter wild you," slic
sympathetic Commonwealth. "Oh
go chase yourself" was the only reply
"Didn't some one wake me up when
tried to sleep?" s
NOT ADMIRERS OF TOM PAINE.
During the morning Lieutenant Clin
ton pulled from his pocket copy o
Tom Paine's "Age of Reason" whicl
he was about to read to some of tn,
members of the army, when one of tn,
knights rolled over on his blanket, rub
bed his eyes and looking up at til,
superior officer, ejaculated "Lookeu
here, what do we mugs know abou
Tom Paine, as yez calls him2 Woain'
got no time to listen 10 sick rubbish n
that, and further more we amt gone Il
listen to it. If yez got any coffee o
sandwiches, why bring them along, bu
we don't want no philosophy in thi
camp. Am / right gents 2" This re
mark was signal for an outburst of ap
proval from the rank and file of tn
army, and the lieutenant closed the bool
and placed it in HE pocket.
ALL THE ARMY ARRESTED.
At 215 on Saturday afternoon tn
State detectives, with Mayor Shortlidge
Chief Dolan and IL officers proceeded Il
the camp of Brlgadier Christophe
(lalI