The Portland daily press., 1894-03-20
COxEY's VAST ARMY.
Preparations for the Trip of His Pill
grims to Washington.

Their Representatives TO reed Inem
[Massillon O. Despatch to the N. Y. Herald.
Il propose TO march forth from this city
at noon on Easter Sunday next at the
head Of a cavalcade that will strike ter
ror to the hearts of those who have been
abusing their power by legislatIng IN ia
vor of the rich against the poor. MY
destination is the Capitol at Washington,
D. G.. My object is to demand OF Con-
gress the passage of the non-interest
bearing bond bill prepared by the Us.
Coxey Good Roads Association of the
United States.
"Upon MY departure from Masslllon L
am at this time unable to accurately es-
innate the number Of lovers of honest
government who will follow me, but my
impression is that there will be at the
least calculation five hundred OF us.
When we reach the Capitol | will have
behind me the voice and influence OF
over one hundred thousand persons. Ii
not I have misiudged humanity ana
have been missed by advices sent me
from my agents in all parts of the Unit
ed States. At this time l would prefer
not to make public my entire following.
The undertaking is huge one"
Thus spoke J. S.Coxey, OF Faurs
Station, hamlet five miles north OF
Massillon. From superfiuous indications
one might imagine that the good roads
agitator had suddenly come into pos
session of an Aladdin's lamp which had
10 the treasury cave OIL UfLo
forty thieves, and that he was looking
about for the easiest and quickest way
to dispose of his new found wealth.
But such is not the case. His fortune
is largely of his own accumulatlon. he
is an enthusiastic Populist, graduated
from the old Green back party ana
naturally sought the solution or the
troublesome problem along the ideas
of these parties.
When he became acquainted Win cary
Browne the California Popullst, and
made known his hobby plans were for
mulated in 2 short time. they both
profess to believe that the taking OF a
vast army to Washington and surround
ing the Capitol will have such an effect
unon Congress as to secure the passage
OF their bill, for such bill has really
been introduced.
Plan of Organization.
The plan of organization dec1ded npon
by them was to organize the men In
groups of five, one of whom shall be
selected as group marshal. Groups are
to be federated into companies or COM
munes of not less than thirty nor more
than one hundred men. Communes
may be federated into regiments OF not
less than 215 nor more than 1,O55, and
these in turn may be formed into divis-
ions. These will all be differed accord
Ing to military tactics, the whole under
command of Browne.
Labor unions, farmers alliances and
similar organizations were invited to join
intact. All organizations were advised
TO procure a wagon, it possible to carry
camp utensils. Appeals to Populist and
various societies throughout the country
were mailed at intervals for several
months. This was begun months ago,
and Mr.. Coxey reports that the responses
have excelled his expectations.
The itinerary of the trip is an interest
ing one. 1t has been SO arranged that
day meetings can be held in leading
cities where la Dor troubles are abundant.
It is from these centres Mr.. Coxey ex-
poets to secure the greatest number of
recruits.
Arrangements IN w dSnlHSbOu.
ARRANGEMENTS have been about con-
Guided for seven thousand acres of land
in Washington, owned by Senator Stew
art of Nevada, upon which the army is
to camp. Editor Redstone, OF the
National Tocsin is the agent. When the
army reaches that city Redstone will
meet it with the unemployed of Washing
ton and vicinity, and escort it to the
Capitol.
When these pilgrims have surrounded
the Capitol with a hollow square, they
will separate into groups according to the
districts. and will call
upon their Representatives to come out. |
They will be petitioned to feed the army |
during its stay. An inspection of Coxey's |
headquarters disclosed, in readiness for |
the march, round tent sixty feet in |
diameter, used by circus last year, two |
smaller tents "a by 40 feet in size, |
wagon of six or eight tons |
an ambulance wagon, with |
medical and surgical appliances and nu
smaller articles for the accom-
mediation of the army.
The big circus tent is to be used for |
sleeping quarters at night, and for the |
meetings en- route, when the weather is |
bOO iUGltllCuU LUZ UuC ODOu AL OL- |
gineer corps is to travel one day In adj
vance of the army to prepare camp |
gather in sundries and make |
other arrangements. A. S. Lauden, of |
the Second Illinois cavalry. will be in |
charge of the corps.
Their Badges and Sashes.
Fac SMILES OF the badges to be worn
were exhibited by Mr.. Coxey. There are
eight Of them, and they are decidedly |
All of them bear the in
scription, "Peace on Earth" Some are
adorned with sheaf of wheat, others
with two hands clasped, others with six
hearts fastened together by pole pass
ing through the centre of each, others
have design consisting of legal ten
der dollar bill, and others have battle
axes and chains Each badge also bears
the inscription, death to Bonds"
Designs for the sashes to be worn were
also exhibited. That of the president of
the Pilgrimage will be red, white and
blue; those of the group marshals will
be of red; commissary marshals blue;
commune marshals white; canton mar
shals yellow; community marshals,
green; the surgeon marshals green the |