Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-01
WHAT COKE ISM is.
A Movement That Indicates the Times
Are Out of Joint

A Movement That Indicates the Times
Are Out Of Joint.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
The interviews with members of Con-
gress which have appeared in the World
and other papers in reference TO Coxey
and his following, seem exceedingly 81.
perfcial when not facetious. Mr.. Harter
and General Gordon, so far as l have
seen, stand alone in any intelligent treat
ment OF the subject.
The appearance Of a fanatic like Coxey
with his motley army may be a spec
tacle to amuse the average congressman
whose 5000 salary Is drawn monthly
from the treasury whether the gold
balance rises above or falls below the
$lOOOO0,0O0 limit, as well as when the
banks suspend currency payments and
business is transacted by means Of clear
ing-house certificates. Hard times and
business depression make no difference
with him, but thoughtful inen who look
below the surface TO find the reasons OF
things feel and know that there must
be, and is, some underlying cause, or
causes which have enabled Coxey and
other fanatics more knaves than fools
perhaps) TO gather their so-called in
dustrlal armies and direct their march
on Washington to present their petit
tons In boots asking absurd and i'm
practicable legislation.
Popular movements which enlist thou
sands are never groundless, but always
indicate that the times are out OF joint
in some way, and Coxeyism Is no excep-
ton to the rule. 1t is an evidence OF
popular unrest, of a spirit OF agitation,
among the masses, which may burst forth
in forms more dangerous to law and order
and TO the public peace than any which
have yet appeared, and produce conse-
quences more serious and deplorable than
trampling down the grass on the Capitol
grounds. Not only does the formation
of the so-called armies" at 30 many
different points TO march across a conti-
nent on what Is declared to be mission
OF peace. indicate this, but the sympathy,
aid, and encouragement extended 10 them
by the communities through which they
pass is still more significant of a restless
discomfort OF which the armies" are
but the exponents, that is widespread,
reaching from Cape Cod TO the Golden
Gate.
WHY ABSENT.
General Gordon calls attention 10 the
absence Of the South from this movement,
and partially accounts for II. But the
South Is absent not only because IL has
been trained to self-rellance by adversity
and educated In different political school
does not take kindly to paternalisn, but
because its population Is native-born and
homogeneous. the admixture OF the for
eign element being too small 10 disturb its
traditional conservatism.
All seem To agree that "coxeyism'' Is
one OF the resultants OF the present busi-
ness depression, which has thrown labor
out OF employment and greatly increased
the number Of idlers and tramps who are
ready 10 follow the standard OF any
crank who promises three meals day
and q new sensation. and most persons
are satisfied TO rest here. expecting Il to
disappear with the revival OF business
promised US with the passage OF the new
tariff bill a. IL was promised last year with
the repeal Of the purchasing clause of the
Sherman law. All such are doomed To
experiences as grieyous disappointment as
did the prophets Of last year, and are nurs-
ina hope which will not be realized this
season, for II there were not cause more
potent even than the robber tariff. the
new bill Is constructed on the lines OF
Mckinleyisn. and Is only an Improvement
so far as il reduces duties.
WHY SHOULD SUCH THINGS BEp
IL these armies" Of oilers result from
depression In business, then the question
IL. Why shoule such depression in bust
ness existr' In country OF unriyalled
natural resources, with an area capable
OF sustaining In comfort ten times its
present population. why should there be
such multitude OF unemployedy why
should thousands-aye. hundreds OF thou
sands OF men. women, and children be
starving. or only kept from starvation
by the Efforts OF relief associatious in q
land producing every necessary for sus.
tenehee, IN which wheat sells for but
little more than 80 cents q busheI, snd
where we are sometimes told that Al,
eur woes are caased by over-proAuctiorY
Starving muititudes In the midst az spnil-
Ing plenty. The classic fable Of Panta-
ius reproduced IN the ;ioOing years o.
sA- nA"sisAaih centurx In real lie. ana