The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-07
TwENTY-sECOND YEAR.

| recompense The streets of Washington
were crowded on March 4, 1898, by an
| army of hungry men, men of voracious
! appetites and unlimited capacity for the
best to be had in the way of patronage.
| Selfish in the extreme were they; I'M
scrupulous and dangerous too, for they
were reckless of the welfare of the peo-
| pie SO long as place and power were Sc
cured.
ssThe congress of the United States was
| not alarmed at their approach; the reg
ular army was not examined to see If it
could do better fighting than running,
and the chief of police of Washington
gave no interviews to the press as to how
he would send the intruders to the work
house when they dared to invade the ter
ritory under his jurisdiction. The hotels
actually made provision for their recep-
ton, and altogether, these hungry men,
this voracious, unscrupulous, self seeking
army were welcomed to Washington"
Mr.. Powderly continues: "Leaving the
right the wrong of the silver agita-
tion and the Wilson bill out of the ques-
ton, it is entirely safe to say that more
inefficient Indifferent congress never as
sembled at Washington. Incapacity-if
we do not care to apply a harsher term
has marked every step since the first
Monday in last December, and it is no
wonder that those who are arrayed under
the banners of Coxey feel that they can
n OF make worse job of affairs at Wash
selves to be loafers-et the expense of
the nation, too-while masquerading as
statesmen.
"Other professions have marched on
Washington, but their march was on vel
vet and made no sound. They went in
palace cars and disturbed no watchdog
in passing on their way to the lobby of
the capitol. Representing the bonds, the
stocks and the wealth OF the nation, they
were cordially received and servilely
OH hxy< f0h
away lands, gave franchises and took
such action made poverty acquainted
with thousands who had but heard of it
before. Those who went in palace cars
went to obtain something from congress
which would benefit them without add
ing to the prosperity of the people. The
Coxey movement has at least the merit
of being more unselfish, even if it is not
SO aristocratic in its makeup. Had the
army of velvet remained away from
Washington, those who are now ap-
preaching it in hob-nailed shoes would
not have an excuse for going.
SIT is reported that one wing of the
CoXey army stole a railroad train, and a
general demand for the suppression of
that system of spernicious activity is
heard. To steal railroad train is bad,
but not equal in point of rascality to the
stealing of a whole railroad, and we have
more than once read of the practice OF
this kind of grand larceny without
II lnllndt0Q tudb TIE uAi1ltld
should be called out The stealing of
the railroad was but the forerunner of
the purloining of that train. From
editorial before me quote this passage:
Ii they permitted to go unchecked they
Will breed others. One folly begets another.
There has been to much dallyfng with this
menace to the public peace. Tne mistaken tOler-
alton is encouragement to riot and pillage.
When it does lead to open mob rI4e il at
least destroys respect for law stimulates pIunder,
oyerrides the rights of property and inctes the
elements of discomfort to take the law into
their own hands.
''That passage is built upon the passing
of Coxey and his army. Every word of
it is applicable to the marching of the
armies that preceded those under com
mand of Coxey. If theft were the object
of the Coxey movement, it is doubtful if
he will find anything left in Washing
ton-in the shape of public matter,
franchise or grant-worth stealing"