St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-26
CoaIaONWEaLERs HERE.
Hold Mass Meeting on Bridge
Square.

Hold Mass Meeting on Bridge
Square.
The Northwestern division of the
army of the coinmonweal. with head.
quarters at Spokane, has invaded the
Twin Cities. The advance guard to the
number Of forty came over to St. Paul
yesterday and held a public meeting
last night at Bridge square. Probably
1900 people gathered to see the hobos
aud to hear them speak. In the crowd
were many prominent citizens. Judge
Walter II. Sanborn. of the federal bench,
being one of The listeners. The chief
speaker of the evening was Gen. E. j.
Jeffries, of Seattle, a printer, and a man
who read law for five years.
Gen. G. Fl. Ross. of Spokane, sang
some Coxey army songs of his own
composition.
Maj. Gen. #. FL. Shoals, formerly pro-
prietor of the Aberdeen Democrat, out
lined the work of the army in a speech
and told the people that he had com-
inittee selling SONGS land papers toraise
money to help buy food. He asked
that food and clothing be contributed
by citizens and sent to Labor hall. He
said that he only allowed mis- men two
meals day and restricted them to
plain food. snch as meat. potatoes, bread
and coffee. He stated that he had re-
cruited $50 men in Minneapolis, and ex-
poets to secure 1000 recruits from the
Twin Cities. He did not want any men
who drink, as the army Is prohibited
from using liquors.
Gen. Jetfries spoke about an hour AMI
half and outlined how the army in
tends going to Washington, 1905
strong, to be an object lesson to con-
greSs and ask the issuance of 500. o0o,-
0U0 of legal tender to be used in build
ing waterways and making other
improvements to give employment.
Gen. Ross told a reporter that he was
born in sydney, Australia. He, is
boilermaker by trade and has worked
ON pipe lines in California. He SAID
that seventeen of the men here last
| night came over from Minneapolis; the
other Iwenty-Ihree came into st. Paul
from Fargo. He did not know how
they got here, but they report as they
arrive. He said that the men are re-
porting all the time and are pushing
on to Duluth, where they have ar
ranged to go by steamer to Buffalo
and then foot il to Washing
ton. He expects the whole army
of 1900 to go through the city within a
week. The army is organized under
the trades council of Spokane, and the
men all have cards to that effect, signed
by Fred A. Foss, Joseph Static, and T.
P. LAWYER. of Spokane trades council,
under date Of May 9. 1894. He spoke of
the hard tiIne they have had in travers-
ing the LOGO miles. part of the way
through snow, and sleeping in the open
air. He said:
Il had good baritone voice when 1
started, but speaking and singing In the
open air has ruined it. We have had no
picnic.
Asked where they would sleep while
in the city. he replied, '.On the flour Of
the Labor hall, which has been granted
US by the union labor people" Asked
ifithat was not hard bed, he replied
cheerfully, mo, indeed. We are ac-
custemed 20 sleeping upon three rods
| under freight train in rapid motion
Gen. Shoals said last night that he
expected to get his army through the
Twin Cities by Thursday on the road
to Duluth. He said that in large cities
recruits join them to be fed while in the
| city and then desert. To prevent i'm.
| position 1t is the custom to give the re.
| cruits no rations until they lIaye Joined
| in the march.
| Gen. Jetfries has been provided with
/ a bed in Minneapolis while in this
vicinity, and he went there last night.
| leaving the troops to sleep on the flour
| at Labor hall.