The herald., 1894-04-24
A WARNING TO COXEYITES.
They Are Told to Keep
Away From Washington.
District Commissioners Issue a
Proclamation.
the Invasion.
They Laugh at the Fears of the Authori-
au6 Gav nbraata UUnI Not
They Laugh at the Fears of the AuthorI-
Ties and Say Threats VIII Not
Deter Them-March of
the Armies.
By the Associated Press.

sionsrs OF the district OF Columbia took
action tadey on she impending Coxey
invasion. After consultation with the
attorney for the district, manifesto
was prepared which calls attention
to the fact that the right of petition
does not extend to the lengths the
Coxeyites appear to imagine. Those
who are coming to the capitol are
warned that only hardship and priva-
tion await them here and no good can
come OF the proposed pilgrimage.
Following is the full text of the COM
missioners' proclam alton:
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONERS,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
WASHINGTON, April %, 1894.
To Whom it May Concern:
Whereas, 1t Is reported several organ
lied bodies are approaching the District
of Columbia with the avowed purpose
of securing such congressional action as
may relieve the condition of the unem-
ployed lsborers of the country, and
Whereas, All unemployed men and
others throughout the country, who
may be in sympathy with the move
ment have been invited to assemble in
front OF the national capitol on the frat
day of May for the purpose OF compel
ling favorable action by congress by mere
force OF numbers and physical presence,
and
Whereas, The constitutional right of
petition does not justify methods dam
gerous to peace and good order, which
are contrary to the law and opposed to
the ordinary means of obtaining legis
lative relief under our system OF gov
ernment, and
Whereas, 1t is declared to be the in
tention of this body Of unemployed and
destitute people, not only to gather to-
gether for the purpose aforesaid, at the
city of Washington, but there remain
aa.akil sr-isus- r11ptf trnv0 DeHu ac-
complished. and
Whereas, The national capital is
chiefly devoted to public business and
ia the center of federal legislation, and
as result OF its lack OF ordinary means
of afording employment, ia now taxed
to its utmost capacity in charitable
efforts to care for it's own poor and un-
employed, now
Therefore, the commissioners OF the
District of Columbia, who are charged
with the duty of maintaining peace and
good order, and with enforcing the laws
in said district. being sensible of the
gravity of the situation and fully appre.
ciating the hardship which must come
upon many innocent bat misguided peo-
Pile If this ill-conBidered movement
should be continued, do hereby appeal,
in the interest of humanity and in the
of peace and good order,
which are enjoined by the laws in force
in said district, to the good sense and
patriotism OF all those engaged in or who
taking any part in tbs pro-
posed demonstration, and urge them to
their intention to come into
the District of Columbia for that pur-
pose. No possible good can come OF
such gathering, and with no proper
or means of subsistence,
suffering and ultimate disorder will cer-
tainly ensue. No wrong can be righted;
no condition of labor ameliorated no
remedy for existing evils realized, by
the contemplated demonstration OF
physical force. Every desirable end can
be more certainly and effectively accom-
plished by ordinary and lawful methods.
The commissioners, while in entire
sympathy with all people out of en-
ploy meut, and having no desire or pur-
pose to deal harsbly with any honest
men who seek relief by reasonable and
lawful means. are in duty bound to give
notice to those who are tempted under
any pretext to swell the number of un-
employed persons already here, that
there is neither work for them nor
means for their maintenance in the dis
trict; that the law does not permit the
soliciting of aims in our streets, and for
bids parades. assemblages or orations i'll
the capitol grounds, and the obstruction
of any public grounds, streets, highways
or avenues and the approaches to public
or private buildings.
The commissioners desire to give no.
tice, also, to criminals and evildoers
W ho, under cover of a crowd of unem-
ployed men in our streets, may come for
the purpose of crime and disorder, that
all such will be apprehended and sum-
marily dealt with.
And, finally, they give notice to all
that come here against their advice and
protest that the laws in farce in the dis
trict are adequate ior every emergency
and will be rigidly enforced.
(Signed) JOHN w. Ross,
GEORGE TRUEsDELL.
. Commissioners OF the Districs.