The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-03-21
ApIn, The c RusApERs.

ment:
Mr.. Coxey's march to Washington. d. c.,
has been the subject Of much frsgmentary
newspaper publication and discussion In
order to give its readers clear understand
ing Of the objects and methods Of the com
mouweal, the Commercial Ga-eite sent staff
correspondent to Massillon to investigate.
Mr.. Cozey desires Congress to pass two bills.
one authorizing non-interest bearing leans
to states, territories. counties, townships,
municipalities and incorporated towns or
villages, and the other for the building OF
roads by the Government. The first bill
provides that any of the corporations men
toned may borrow for the purpose Of max
ing public Improvements = sum or sums not
exceeding one-half the assessed value Of the
real estate. The money is to be issued in
the form of 81, s., s.. $40 and SO treasury
notes, which shall be ftill legal tender for
all debts, public and private. The Govern
ment is to retain per cent for the expense
Of engraving and printing The loan is to
be repaid in twenty-five annual instailments
Of per cent. each.
Mr.. Coxey submits the following as an
instance of the working Of his bond issue
measure: If Mayor McKenna had signed
the bond issue for Sc. 100000 the city would
have had to pay $780, 600 year interest for
thirty years, and annually during the same
period put aside in the sinking fund S2O0, 900
a year. making the total cost of the So ,O00,-
OOO bond issue 81, 200 600. By Mr.. Coxey's
method Pittsburg would receive from the
Government $4,000, for which it would
pay 100000 in twenty-five annual in
stallments of $4,000 each. The difference
in cost would be still larger with communi-
ties without the high financial standing Of
Pittsburg, who would have TO pay higher
rate Of interest. The road bill provides for
the creation Of country road fund Of $780,
100000, to be issued ar the rate of $4,000
600 month. The bill also provides that all
work shall be done by the day, which shall
consist of eight hours, and that the lowest
rate to be paid shall be SL-5O per day.
Mr.. Coxey and his supporters want to i'm
press Congress with the fact that they are in
earnest. They say, as it has been said be-
fore, that Congressman pay but little atten-
ton TO petitions. They are easily pigeon
holed, and almost never resurrected. But
the members Of the commonweal argGe that
If body of men, numbering anywhere
from 200. 600 TO 10000 men-these are Mr..
Coxey's iigures-appear in Washington and
make personal appeal TO Congress, the
members of the two Houses will be impress
ed and will give consideration TO the meas
ures advocated. OF course the cOmmonweal
proposes to carry with it petitions signed By
those who cannot appear in person.
The object Of the march from Massillon,
o., TO Washington, d. c., shows e0nsidera-
bic shrewdness and knowledge of the value
Of advertising on the part of the leader. 1t
will take about six weeks 10 complete the
trip. They realize that such an un ique
spectacle will be fully described in every
newspaper in the country, aud that it will
cause general discussion Of the merits of
the measures advocated. Mr. Coxey be-
lieyes that this Will do more 10 bring the
movement into prominence than several
years spent in old-style campaigning. He
expects that of the 10000 persons he has
scheduled to be with him in Washington,
900 OF 450 900 will arrive on trains. He
does not anticipate that more than $1,000
will march with him iEto the capital city q.
kr. Coxey says he has received assurances
that nearly every railroad in the country
will run excursions into Washington on
May 1, the day Of the proposed demonstra-
tion on the capitol steps.
While Mr.. Coxey and his friends are ear
nestly enthusiastic over the project, Massil-
lon, the birthplace of the movement, seems
to look upon it cOldly. The citizens are
generally genial and treat the stranger with
consideration and even with cordiality-so
long as the conversation treats of genera
subjects. But the moment mention is made
of the eommonWeal the men of Massillon
become cold. They do not care to talk on
the subject from any standpoint. Nearly
every one in town has had or is having
more or less business dealings with Mr.. Cox
ey, and speak well of him as a man, but
they utterly refuse to consider his crusade.
They admit that he is shrewd, bat with a
few exceptions they decline to admit that
his crusade shows evidences of shrewdness.
The exceptions declare-but strictly under
their breath-that Mr.. COxey has several
business enterprises that would be aided by
generous advertising, and that he mas taken
this method to secure it.
Mayor William NJ. r eed will complete
his second term in the early part of April.
He is Republican, altho' this was Demo-
cratic stronghold from time immemorial
until the Wilson bill and distress made their
appearance simultaneously. Mr. Reed could
have received the nomination and election
for the third time, but refused. His Honor
does not care to discuss the commonweal
crusade except from the standpoint of con-
servator Of the peace. he says:
80 far we have been bat little troubled
by trans or tough chasacters, and hope
they will stay away. If Mr.. Coxey should
gather large number of people here pre-
paratory to his start TO Washington, We may
have an influx of crooks. II any large
number of bad characters should come here
We could not arrest them, as we have no
place large enough to cOntine them, and be-
sides that, We do not want to assume the
cost Of keeping them. Under such circum.
stances shall promptly call upon all able
bodied citizens of Massillon t. come to my
aid, and we viii drive these thugs ont of the
community.
while l am hopeful for the best and l
am not yet confident that the proposed
march to Washington is an assured fact,
there is possibility, if not a probability
tkat they may follow the route of the com
monweal in the hope of securing an easy
living, and perhaps for the purpose of rob-
bing the residents along the route. If this
should oscur, the officials viii no doubt act
promptly and suppress these msrauders be-
fore they gather sufficient strength to be-
come menace 10 the larger communities.
where their numbers would be augmented
by aceessions from the ranks of the idle and
vicious in the cities. As said before, have
but little fear Of any trouble in MassilIon,
but ifit should occur, We will take very
pro mpt action"
Mr.. Coxey and his first lieutenant, Carl
Browne, are making final arrangements
and completing the details for the march
from Massillon TO Washington. They are