The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-20
Speeches by PETER and Allen in Favor
of Appointing Committee to Re-
ceive the Army's Petitions.
KELLY'S INDUSTRIAL ARMY
Breaks Camp Near Council Bluffs
and Marches Eastward.
lOwa's Militia Will Keep Their Eyes OH
the SOldiers-COxey's Common
veal and Other Armies.

WASHINGTON, April Ex-senator PETER
stirred up quite a hornets nest in the SEN
ate to-day by calling up his resolution for
the appointment of a committee on COM
munications to receive the petitions of
Coxey's army. He explained the object of
the resolution as being a preparation for
the proper reception of this body OF men
and to give them every facility to present
their grievances to Congress. The Senate,
regarded by many as the American House
of Lords, would have an opportunity to
show that it was not out of touch with
the people by appointing this committee.
The country, he said was on the verge of
trouble, and unless we were wise and man
aged our affairs with discretion we would
regret it in the near future. The times
were ripe for such movements, but this
was a body of men coming here TO per-
sonally lay their grievances before Con-
gress.
Mr.. PETER was followed by Senator AL
len, the Nebraska Populist, who. while not
entirely approving Coxey's action asserted
the perfect right Of Coxey and his follow
ers to come to Washington If they chose.
And not only that, but they had a right
to come into the Capitol and to occupy the
galleries of the Senate, and 1t would be
unwise on the part of the Senate to refuse
them this privilege. They had also right
to be heard. and no man, whether he be
a Senator or citizen, had the right to deny
them that right He bitterly denounced the
report that General Ordway. of the Ma
tlonal Guard of the District of Columbia,
was preparing to mobolize the militia at
the confines of the District Of Columbia.
"This man is coming here with perfect
right" continued Mr.. Allen with rights
which, under the Constitution, are as sacred
as those OF any other man, woman or
child, and yet we witness the spectacle Of
this city being thrown into convulsions
over the expectation of seeing this peace
full body of men come into the city No
action was taken on the resolution.
Inquiry concerning the proceedings Of
the executive session of the Senate yester-
day develops the fact that Senators take
a more serious view of the prospective
gathering of Coxeyites and others here
than the first report would seem to incf-
cate. The opinion is expressed by Senator's
ings that. i'm view Of these precedents,
and the emergency that is likely Ia arise,
President Cleveland would be justified In
issuing a proclamation warning the men
now on their way to the city in connec-
tion with the CoXey movement that the
authorities will be prepared to require the
strictest observance of order. Ihe opinion
is also freely expressed in the Senate and
was advanced in executive session, that
Congress cannot afford. and should not do
anything looking to the sustenance of the
CoXey army while here. Ii IS expected that
if a large body of men should assemble, as
is now regarded as probable, that they
will soon find Themselves more anxious 10
secure food to sustain life than money to
build roads and will be clauorous Tor an
appropriation to that end. Senator Cock
rell chairman Of the committee on appro-
priations has given notice OF speech on
The PETER resolution for tomorrow, and
when asked to-day for al expression or
his views declined TO talk. urging that he
would probably touch upon this phase Of
the question in his speech 1t is probable
that several Senators will discuss the ques-
tion freely i'm this debate during the morn
ing hour tomorrow.