The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-05-08
COXENSM, NOT COXEY.
Trial Develops Into a Discussion Of
the Merits Of the Move
ment5
Coxey Is Called Knave and
Browne a Crank by tho
Prosecution.
Defense Try 70 Make the Trial Appear =
Perssoution Of tho roopis by
pIutoorhta.

wIsunoros. May The trial Of the
oommonwsnl leaders. which has dragged
along ia the police court for three days. will
be concluded tomorrow. CoTey'ssHplana-
tion of bis plans for redesming the govern
rnent Was the rineipsl feature of the DAYS
proceedings. apart from the speeches by
the laWTs it is apparent the oass Il be-
ing tested on ths broad grounds Of iustif-
cation for the CoIsy movement. for the
assistant district attorney. Ia his opening
address. called Bsowns a crank and did not
hesitate % iusinuats that Corey was a
knave while the opposing lawyers endsaV-
ored TO make tho trial sppear persecution.
bV plutoorats, OF the people, and appealed
10 the animoaity against Wall street.
Attorney Lyman made the opening state
ment fof the defense. There was no denial
or defense for what the oommonvealsrs
had done, he began The defense would
consist in the lawfulness OF their actions.
lie rsmem osred Of but one similar occur
renee In histo'y. and thoreupon be pro-
duced a Bible aud began TO read a Gcrip-
tural aassRe.
The gentleman should conane himself
to a statement OF facts" interpossd the
district attorney.
Does tho attorney deny that this is a
faci2" demanded the young attorney. hold
/ ing the Bible aloft dramatically.
lie was permitted 20 read the passage
from the Old Testament rscitinr bow the
Lord commanded Moses TO take of his hat
bsenuse he trod on holy ground.
Frank Harper. a newspaper man from
Alexandria, Va. testified that the polics
had driven eitizsns on the grass before the
A.. IL All
path. CoXey walked 90 quiokly 20 she steps
that be VAS NOT recognized until the people
pointed him out Thirteen police sur
rounded the general when he arrived. The
witness WAS certain that CoxeJ had not
/ walked on the ass. On GROSS examine
tion be said there were Eve or ak thousand
people waiting. cheering for CoHeJ.
'DlsordsrlJ, were they notf' inquired
the district attorney.
"Oh, no. They had the right TO cheer.
They we're American citizsna
Witness number two was samuel l. Per
rick. colotad. When asked his business be
explained: 7 am one Of the army Of tee
unemployed" Until she beginning Of she
democratic administration he had bson
employed In the treasury. lie swore that
CoIey did not touch the grass. This Wit
ness had also seen the police drive the pso-
pie on tie grass.
Co1sv took the stand and said be was q
lobbyist on behalf Of the unemp mployet. The
men who came with him did 90. Coxey said.
upon the principle that they might As we'll
be with him as anywhere. CoKeY said he
told Maj. Moore the army might break up
and enter the capital grounds aa American
eitiEsns The chief said there vas no OBJ
lection.
MY object in going TO the capitol. o said
Coxsy. Was 20 resent to congress my two
biils, good roads bill, and the non
interest bearing bonds bill, and TO address
the congress OF the United States and tue
Ameriean people on them. / demanded
the protection OF the police. who seemed 10
be Col. Bright's right-hAnd bower, 20 PIE
sent congress a petition from labor organ
izations IN favor of the bills."
Judge Miller would not permit she intro
duotion. as evidence, Of the speech Coxey
Intended 10 make. or the protest he issued.
saying they hal nothing TO do with she
trial. CoIey told the story Of the march TO
Washington without Embellishments.
Concerning the Gags OF peace carried by
the men. Coxey said they had been pTo-
vided for tie men in order TO bring into
notice the two bill which we're designed
TO bring peace on earth, good will towards
man. The organization itself vas a mlnof
affair. merely An emblem Of the bills. lie
did not know that Bfowne had banner
when he ted for the capital steps and
did not consider the avenue leading 90 the
stsrs as part Of the q ounds
Next came TO the stand Representative
Bland, OF Missouri. After some wranclinR
over objections 80 questions. Judge Miller
iefused 10 permit the congressman 90 tell
how she police had clubbed citizens. Rep
ressntAtive Pence argued that she eienss
, wanted 10 show that all the troulle was
caused by the police and said that they h a
dozen members OF congress 60 testify 20
that effect. Finally members of cong sW
were allowed 90 tell that the police lad
driven women and children aud men over
the grass IN their charge.
/ W. u. Shelby described Brownies arrest
telling how the policemen placed their
clubs on the people, and that tho officer
who arrested Browne had shown him the
stick taken from Browne 10 had no naa
on 10.
Defense closed its case and Iipsoomb
asked Judge Miller 90 charge the iury that
the aot Of 1885 was not intended TO restrict
the right OF citizens 90 peaceablY assembls
and petition congress. and also that the
banner cArIied vas displayed aud designed
Go bring the organization 90 notice. Ihev
must acqut Coxey unless he advised or
abettsd others TO displsy banner aud
walk on the grass
Judge Miller said he would charge that
the iury must ind that defendants fully
and knowingly trod on ths grass. Inc at
tOfnsy for Chrstophot Columbus Jones
asked the Judge Co instruct that his client
Was % be scqu ttod of the second count;
that there VAS no evidences that be hsd
walked on the grass. Assistant DistFict
Attorney Mullowney made she opening
speech. Representative uudson. OF Kan-
sas. who began for the defense. said 10 Was
plain te'e1dauts were NOT { led on the
technical charges against them. but be
csuse they held political opinions contrary
60 the opinions OF those In power.
These men are not being tired for step
ping on tie grass. he argued. The dis
triot attorney will argue % ron against
& KEY himself and the Coxey movement"
lie Was follcWe by Lpasomb ala0 for
the defense. aud tnen abe court adiournod.
Ihe Prophetic Christ
The Bible" said Rev. Mr.. Ghormlsy in
hls sermon 80 the Chtistisn church Lass
evsniHg does not deal IN theories 10