The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-29

The much talked of mass meeting OF
Coxey commonwailers was held last night
in the CITY building and an expression OF
PopuIist rather than Of popular opinion
ascertained and embodied into the fellow
ing resolutions:
Whereas, Hundreds of thousands OF
willing laborers are without employment
or the GoGgiven right TO earn bread for
themselves and families; and,
Whereas, This condition is not the fault
of nature, nor Of natural laws but is
clearly t.. result of unwise aud class leg
islatious lcfereby il has been made posi-
BILE for q favored few individuals aud cor
porations to gather to themselves the
wealth OF the nation while the masses of
the people, who produce the wealth BY
heir labor, are being rapidly reduced 10
psuperism. And,
W hereas, This condition has been great
~ augmented by the demonstration of
silver, the repeal of the Sherman act, the
issuing of fifty millions of gold bearing
bonds by the assumed authority of the
secretary Of the treasury, the veto of the
seigniorage bill by Grover Cleveland. and
by a continuous and persistent determine
tion on the part of congress and the
executive to make money scarce and dear,
aud the interest bearing debt more crush
ing. And,
Whereas, These conditions have resulted
in the march of thousands toward Wash
ington to demand relief from congress;
therefore, be il resolved:
l We sympathiZe with these thouS-
Rnds of idle men, believing that they are
not tramps, but worthy American citizens
asking only the right TO earn an honest
living by legitimate means.
Z. While we deplore the condition OF our
fellow citizens which makes such an up
rising as the "Coxey" movement possible.
yet we believe the same not TO be from
choice but necessity, and that condition
which drives men to such extreme humill-
atlons and desperate measures, calls for
best, promptesJ and most profound con-
sideration of all good, law-abldlng and
fredericksburg citizens.
g. That we admonish patience, sobriety
and only peaceful and lawful measures on
the part of the Industrials; and we appeal
TO them TO abstain from every appearance
Or lawlessness aud violence.
4. We appeal TO congress to grant to this
Industrial army a patient, respectful and
considerable hearing; and To remember that
these are fellow American citizens comm z
not from choice but necessity, and as the
natural outgrowth of long continued
series of unjust legislation and usurpa-
lions; asking only for what congress has
the constitutional power, at least in some
measure, 70 grant.
j. Resolved, That we believe that
Congress has the power and that its their
duty to give the idle thousands al oppor-
tunity to earn bread by promptly author
iZIng the construction of public works,
such as irrigsting bitches and railroads III
he west: public roads. canals, ships, etc,
IN the east. and pay for the same by di-
rect issue of money to the people in the
name of and by the government. And in
this connection we call upon the United
States government to build a national irri-
eating ditch from point on the Missouri
river south through Dakota, Nebraska and
Kansas, tapping the big Arkansas at or
GEAR Great Bend, aud pay for the same,
not By the issue of bonds. but by the issue
Of treasury notes direct TO the laborers,
thereby affOrding labor to thousands
Of men, needy and willing to work;
increasing the money in circulation, aud
ht the same time converting doubtful
and uncertain agricultural district into
the most productive land on the CONT
nent.
6. Resolved that a copy of these resolu-
tons be forwarded TO the Kansas con-
gressmen and the United States senators.
Resolved, That we heartily endorse the
efforts of Senator PETER in trying to pro-
cure settlement OF the interests of the
government held in the Union Pacific rail
road. advantageous to the government and
we belieNc IudJ III lDtse ellOEIs IocudtOI
PETER deserves the cooperation of al, good
and loyal citizens.
The police court is the only portion of
the city building under the control of the
Pcpulists, and it was in this the meeting
was held. They brought the movement,
as it Were, before the very bar of justice
and passed judgment on 1t.
By S O'clock all the benches were &C.
cupied. aud then Chief of Police Rufus
-.,lA l.,
commodating.
He is an enthusiastic Coxeyite and as he
stood around experimenting the enlarge
ment of the seating capacity with his
manly form and noble bearing and an $500
diamond stud glistening in wilderness
Of white shirt bosom, many were those
who thought that greater leader than
Coxey could be found To lead the army to
the foot OF the capitol at Washington. If
Rufus could be heard reciting the present
ills of this country through telephone or
photograph, where he could not be seen
in all the glory of his tinseled uniform,
diamond studs and gold star, one would
be inclined 20 think that he was as lean
AS Cassius and as poor as Job from the
tyranny, of corporations and pluto
cratic legislation. To hear him and
not see or know him no one
would think that he had two
three fine farms in this county, two or
three more In Missouri, money In the
banks, fast horses aud fine carriages in his
stables, fine paying position under the
state administration and his pockets lined
with long green"
Nevertheless Rufus made himself accom-
modHtipg TO the Commouwailers aud
found seats for good many oppressed and
downtrodden politicians. well AS others.
After waiting balf an hour for the real
prophet of the local movemeut-L p
Campbell-tnat gentleman had not arrived
and Colonel Bird. who owns money, lands,
tenements and bonds worth tens of tnou-
sands of dollars. moved that Pat Healy be
made chairman. The motion was sec
onded aud with yell and whoop Pat
WAS unanimously honored,
On arriving on the platform he an
bounced the object of the meeting and said
-mong other things that movement IN
Kansas WAS not necessary as the state has
men In congress who would look after the
peoples interest without the people going
there In person to urge them. This lucky