The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-01
How Commonwealers Spent the
Day Yesterday.
Preparing for Commencing the
March Today.
COXEY VISITS CRISP.
Who Declines to Interfere With
the Laws.

| WASHINGTON, May 1.-The second
day of the commonweal army il
Washington was spent by Commander
Coxey in making arrangements with
the authorities for his May day dem
onstration, and by the men in the
wood, in grumb1ing at the poor fare
provided for them.
The long advertised procession will
start this morning at o'clock if the
program is carried out and the good
roads army march past the White
house, war department, treasury and
up Pennsylvania avenue past the cap
ltoL Nine mounted policemen de-
tailed by Major Moore will lead the
head of the procession. Miss Mamie
Coxey of Massillion, the 17-year-
daughter of the commonwea1 chief
tain, will ride at the head of the pro-
eession. representing the Goddess of
Peace.
If the army attempts to march into
the Capitol grounds it will be stopped
and their leaders arrested if they per
sist.
Having finished their public demon
stration the cOmmonwea1 soldiers will
march to vacant lot at Second and
M streets, southwest, where they will
pitch their tents, and the leaders an
nounce that this will be the perma-
Anent camp of the army of peace until
the good roads bills are passed by con-
gress-
Coxey sailed forth after breakfast
to the district building. He an
nounced his desire to move to the new
camp grounds on the vacant lot at
Second and M streets. Commissioner
Powell objected on the ground that
the proximity of James creek, with
its foul odors, made the place I'M
healthy. 1--WE could fumigate the
grounds" said Mr.. Coxey. Besides
our people are very healthy. They
can stand great deal If you could
only have seen some of the trials and
tribulations they have undergone on
their march here you would not think
the presence of a canal would affect
them"
''How long do you expect to remain
here?" asked Commissioner Ross.
General Coxey smiled and chuck1ed
audibly. ssWhy we expect to remain
here until we get action on our bills
The few men that are with us are
only fOrerunner of what is coming.
OF course when the full strength of
the army arrives this lot will not be
large enough" Permission was grant
ed Coxey to camp by the canal on the
condition that he would employ a
plumber to make the necessary sani-
tary regulations
Replying to question as to whether
from congress about the passage of
his bills, he replied: 81 have not
Congress will not act until forced to-"
Sergeants-at-arms Bright of the sem
ate, and Snow of the house, were
c1oseted with Coxey a quarter of an
hour. These officials pointed out the
statute concerning meetings and pro-
cessions in the capitol grounds, and in
reply to his objections that the law
was unconstitutional, they told HIM
that they were here to execute the
law and not to construe it. They
called Mr.. Coxey's attention to the
fact that the law provided for its own
suspension by the vice president and
the speaker of the house, whereupon
the commonwea1 leader announced
his intention of seeing them.
COxey started out early to obtain
an interview with Messrs. Stevenson
and Crisp and request them to suspend
for the day, the regulation closing up
of the capitol grounds to parade. It
was not until 11:1O that Mr. Coxey
Mr.. Crisp. At that hour, however,
he was received, and in company with
Carl Browne remained forty minutes.
Mr.. Coxey asked that his men be al
lowed to enter the grounds of the
capitol as individuals and later to as
selnble on the steps for the address.
Mr.. Crisp inquired concerning the
nature of the address which would be
delivered, and Mr.. Coxey outlined his
Unknown doctrines. Mr.. Crisp de-
clined to interfere with the laws con-
corning the use of the capitol grounds
and buildings.
Mr. Coxey went to the Normandi
hotel twice during the evening to see
the vice president, but Mr.. Stevenson
was out. Mr.. Coxey's plan as out
lined, is to take every step to bring
about his object, not with the expecta-
ton of success, but for the purpose Of
putting his case before the courts in
the legal test which he expects. He
will proceed until he is stopped by
the officers of the law. His plan Is
then to demand that he be arrested,
and he will appeal to courts of law.
The chief of police issued a permit
allowing the army to parade.
KELLY's ARMY IN DIES MONIES.
porting for RatiOns.
DIES MONIES, Iowa, May 1. = The
denunciation by the 1aboring classes
of the action of the city authorities in
the handling of the industrial army
and the continued growth of senti-
ment favorable to Kelly, kept
the city officials in a turmoil all
day yesterday Mayor Hills is
said to have stated during the after
noon he would go to the camp with a
police magistrate, declare the army
Under arrest. try the men in bunch
and Sanfonoa them k0