The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-05-05
LATEST
C0xEY ON TRIAL.
Government Case Conducted
in Rather Weak Way.


WAsHINoToN, May 5--There was fall
Ing OF in the attendance of Congressman
on the trial OF the commonweal leaders
which was resumed in Judge Miller's
police court today. The same pervading
good nature among all the principals was
apparent.
First on the witness stand came Officer
Law OF the police force who had ac-
companied the procession. According
TO his story both Browne and Coxey had
run across the grass and shrubbery.
Two mounted police had stopped Browne
by The time he had arrived within twenty
yards OF the Capitol steps, and after
struggle bad overpowered him, the wit
ness Wrestling from Browne the banner
and stan which he carried.
James III. Forsythe, clerk in the
District Surveyors Office, appeared with
map OF the city To point out the
Capitol grounds, but the attor-
neys for the defendant made objection
that 1t was not competent and there was
considerable argument. Representative
Subley, OF Pennsylvania, came in, shook
hands with General Coxey and took
seat within the bar. The surveyor told
what he knew by hearsay OF the boundary
OF the Capitol grounds and although the
defense objected, Judge Miller held that
IL was competent evidence. This
witness being dismissed, Judge Miller
recalled Officer Law and asked him several
questions. Representative Pence rose and
created something OF sensation by declar-
ing that ii was evident the court was en-
deavoring TO help the prosecuting officers
out of a hole from which they had shown
absolute incapacity to lift themselves.
"Can you snow any impropriety in the
questions?" asked the judge.
81 can. i object that the questions are
absolutely improper and lacking," re-
sponded Mr.. Pence.
Judge Miller declared with considerable
show OF warmth that it was his privilege
and sworn duty to elicit all the facts in
the matter.
Mr.. Lipscomb protested that il would
be well for the Judge to instruct the jury
that he had no desire either to convict or
acquit the defendants TO which
Judge Miller responded that he
assumed the jury knew that. Ii appeared
ftom further questions that the officer
could not tell whether Coxey and Browne
had injured any bushes or had walked on
the grass.
MIR. Pence asked some questions OF the
officer which showed that although he was
recorded as the complainant in the case he
had not entered any complaint. He could
not tell how II happened that charges of
disorderly conduct and assault had been
entered against Browne and afterward
withdrawn.
"Did you arrest anybody for getting on
the grass there ?" asked Mr.. Pence.
81 object" shouted the District At
torney.
"For what purpose are the questions
asked?' said the Judge.
al want to show that he was there for
particular purpose" explained Mr..
Pence.
al had other things to attend to. was
there TO keep order" said the officer.
"Did you see any officers jumping their
horse on the grass ?n
"Four or five."
,"Did you arrest any OF them ?"
mo, sir.n
Representative Pence having finished
his examination, young Attorney Hyman
concluded to take part in the trial.
The officer denied that Browne had been
dubbed, and when he was asked whether
Browne had not been roughly used the
Judge said that that was not in the case.
al can explain how that was"
81 want facts, not explanations" said
the Congressman.
Then came another statement from the
policeman, Sergeant John Kenny. He
had led the rear column of the common
Brother Jones riding at the
head OF the Philadelphia contingent
in hanson cab. Jones had made a wild
leap from the cab across the street, the
officer had commanded Jones' followers
tc~stand still and they had done so.
sDid you hear him make declaration,
statement, threats?" inquired Mr.. hud
son.
Mr.. Jones was very quiet"
"Why did you tell his men to stand
stilI?"
:" We were looking for trouble
"Then as q matter of fact all the trouble
was between the citizens and the Off
GERS y? y"
"Most emphatically no."
"Can you name any other man who |
made trouble?"
"We had understood there would be
trcubleD
Here juror asked some questions about |
Jones, eliciting the fact that the Philadel- |
phian had walked on the grass.
Capitol Architect clerk was then pro |
duced and exhibited plan of the Capitol |
grounds.
Officer F. ID. Aldridge cleared away
the mystery which has surrounded |
the arrest of Christopher Colum- /
bus Jones of Philadelphia. The |
officer explained that he had "inter-
fered" as the officers were trying to
arrest Browne. The officer had showed
Jones back, but the Philadelphiau had re-
turned to the attack and had been
gathered IN with his banner of peace
Jones had not struck any officer, but
generally speaking had sheen disorderly.u
Officer Murphy testified that ne had
been stationed on the Capitol grounds
with orders TO prevent any organization
from parading there or any persons from
carrying banners.
Browne broke in, fourishing banner,
the officer said, and so he arrested him,
Congressman Hudson of Kansas, who had
hot been announced as an attorney.
clipped in at this stage to cross examine
Mr. Murphy. He produced a complaint
against Coxey igned by the officer.
''You signed this affidavit, didn't your"
the Congressman asked.
"Yes, SIR"
"And you did not sec Coxey there?"
"No, SIR"
"But you signed an information against
Coxey?"