Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-05-01

began to collect in front of the Capitol.
The imposing appearance of the police
made it evident that if Mr.. Coxey was
seeking trouble he would be accommo-
dated. Capt. Garden, of the Capitol
police, had the interior of the building
we'll guarded, and permitted free
ingress and egress; crowds were only
required not to gather about the CORR
doris. Outside the building upwards of
$50 Metropolitan police were drawn up
about the plaza and On the steps. Each
of the ascents to the Capitol was guard
ed by 20 blue-coated officers aud those
approaching the building and seeking
entrance were required to pass through
a Gordon Of officers who protected the
central portion of the broad steps. On
the east front, where Coxey said he was
going to speak, the largest force was
concentrated. but the west front, facing
the main part of the city, was equally
well guarded, as were all the Il en-
frances to the great building. The va
rious streets entering the grounds were
guarded by mounted officers.
Instructions had been issued that Mr..
Coxey was not to be arrested if such
a course could be avoided. He and his
men were to be permitted to enter upon
the grounds the same as any other pri-
yale citizens and might 60 about the
corridors of the building and occupy
the seats in the galleries so long as IL ey
would maintain proper decorum and
were quiet and respectful. Mr.. CoXey
was accompanied from the moment he
entered the grounds by Il squad of po-
lice.
By IL O'Clock, an hour before the
Commonweal Army was due at the
Capitol, thousands of curious men,
women and children had gathered
around the building to gain places of
vantage to witness the much talked OF
and long expected appeal to Congress
by CoXey and his followers.
4 few minutes after noon. a gaily
decorated wagon. occupied by two men.
entered the grounds from the north
side. On one side of the wagon ap-
peared a picture of George Washington
and on the other Il picture of Martha
Washington. The two men were
wrapped in the stars and stripes and
iloated banner emblematic OF one of
the political organizations. The horse
had scarcely set foot on the government
reservation when the police ordered
the men to turn back and leave the
ground. This was done without pro-
test amid the laughter of the crowd
bo 90 tho ,,arforpnopoa
Coxey having reached the east front
of the Capitol the crowd assembled
there saw him, bareheaded, proceed to
the steps Of the east portico and mount
to the first platform about five steps.
Here were stationed Captain Kelly and
other officers of the police force. They
met the general before he had time to
turn his face to the gathered multitude
and he was politely informed that he
could make no speech at that place.
CoXey said, Il wish to enter a pro-
test No, sir, said the captain, you
can take no action here OF any kind"
The police were courteous but Very
firm. Coxey then, bareheaded as he
was. said well, then, | wish to read
a programme. sit cannot be read
here said the officer. Coxey showed
no inclination to yield and he was lin.
tremendously hustled oil the steps out
into the middle of the broad plaza in
front of the Capitol. He made no ply
steal resistance but protested all the
while and the crowd gathered around
him and INSTRUCTED the way somewhat,
but it was not o hustle Of resistance
but seemed more like curiosity. The
police did not use their clubs no one
was struck and the immense crowd was
handled in the kindliest yet in the
iirmest and most effective manner. AL
vino came expected some serious
trouble. and there were not few who
were disappointed.
The whole affair did not last over ten
minutes. Coxey was taken by the
police to the eige of the crowd without
any difficulty and entered his carriage.
The order to march was then given
and the disappointed 'wealers again
started on hot tramp for q new rest
ing place in southeast Washington.
When Coxey, under police escort, pass
ed out Of the Capitol grounds to rejoin
his army the party was followed by at
least ten thousand people, and the of
licers and those with the crowds who
pressed in front made the passage q
difficult one The jam and noise was
thrilling, and the white palfrey on
which Miss Coxey was mounted be-
came frightened and attempted to run
away, but was held back by young
man.
Both Marshals Browne and Jones, OF
the Philadelphia contingent are locked
up in the 9TH precinct police station.
Jones also tried to break into the Capt.
tol grounds.