The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-05-02

W ASHlSuToN, ~. ", MAY limo
march of Coxey's Commonweal army
which started from Maesillon, Ohio, on
Easter Sunday, ended to-day in intor-
ruption by tho police. Fortunately
there were no.casualties and tonight
General Coxey is addressing his bur-
lesque army in camp while Marshal
Carle Browne ia under arrest,
and Christopher Columbus Jones,
leader Of the Philadelphia commune
and the comedian Of the movement. en-
deavors to appropriate a share Of the
martyrdom in cell.
Tho performance enacted within the
shadow Of the capitol to-day is without
counterpart in the memory of Wash
ingtonians. Over the broad smooth
plaza OF several acres facing the east
front OF the capitol was packed a crowd
OF men and women numbering 10, 600.
The capitol steps and the porticos un-
der the Grecian pillars wero packed
with people OF both sexes, we'll dressed,
and most Of the members OF Congress
in the throng.
An early adjournment had been
taken by tho senate on account Of the
death OF. Senator Stockbridge. but the
house, not wishing to seem to bo terror
lied by the demonstration, wont
through the semblance of session with
ahandful OF members.
II was shortly aiter o'clock when
tho army halted in the public street
south Of the capitol grounds. Its five
mile march down from Brightwood
through the principal streets OF tho city
had been witnessed by thousands.
There were 500 men in line. Mrs.
AMMO l. Diggs, the Populis., of Kansas,
in q barouche, Coxey's seventeen.year-
old daughter in white on cream COL
ored steed, representing the goddess Of
peace, Carl Browne on great gray
Percheron stallion, General Jacob
Slecher CoIey, his wife, the infant,
Legal Tender Co1ey, together in an-
other carriage, Virginia La Valotte. said
to be m actress. on horseback. draped
in an American flag, as tho Philadelphia
communes' goddess OF peace, the un-
employed carrying white flags OF peace
on staves, and the nondescript banners
setting forth the doctrines OF reincarna-
ton, good roads and enmity to pluto
Gratis. aprinkled through the caravan.
Marahal Browne halted tho process.
sion there in the street, walked back to
CoXcy's carriage, the general kissed his
wife. then the two moving spirits Of tho
affair forced their way over tho plazs to
the capitol steps, their men acting un-
der orders standing in their tracks. Al
ter Coxey and Browne passed yelling
crowd OF several hundred men, most OF
them following Browne, conspicuous be-
cause OF mis- unique costume. Tramp
ling and tearing its way through tho
costly shrubbery the mob went. while
the squad of mounted police which had
headed the parade. dazsd for moment
by tho unexpected move, charged reck-
lcssly into their midst Coxey was con-
fronted by the police as he took oil his
hattie speak on tho steps and his de-
mand for his rights, as he called it, be-
Ing refused, thrust upon them printed
protest, which proved to be q well llwor1ed
epitome Of Populistic doctrines. Moan
while Carl Browne was being literally
dragged by the collar OF his coat through
the crowd to the nearest station. after
he had made fight to retain his BAN
ner. Two police captains. lientenant
and sergeant thrust tho mild hammered
Cosey, without violence, back across
several hundred feet OF humanity to
his carriage. Mounted police were
forcing their horses among the people,
several Of them cracking their clubs
over the heads Of the nearest persons;
women were shricklng in terror, men
were yelling fercely, some were being
knocked down and trampled upon. For
five minutes there was riot in that sec.
tion OF the mob In front Of the eas.
steps, which occupied about an acre OF
asphalt. Then the two agitating spirits
having been removed and half dozen
particularly belligerent men having
been taken In by the police, tho dis.
turbance was euelled without serious
injuries 10 single person.
General Coxey accepted the situation
philosophically. His army was put to
work clearing up the new camping
ground for occupancy.
81 have no complaint CoSey said,
ITO mako rs far as the police are con-
cerned. They treated me with great
consideration, but they had to carry
out the law, even II 1t was an unjust
one. My speechmaking. however, at
the capitol is over. and shall not at.
tempt it."
Tho most serious chapter OF the at.
fair for Washington. the problem OF
what is to be done with the army, re-
mains unsolved. Coxey has no inton-
ton OF leading his recruits away. Ho
still declares that the movement has
lust begun, and that they will stay here
until Congress provides for them by
passing his bills.
Tomorrow Carl Browne and Chris.