Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-05-02
CRISP TALKS SENSE.
Details of the Interview Between
Himself and CO1ey.
THE COMMONWEALER'S DEMAND
That the Law be Suspended to
Allow Him and His Hoboes to
Show off on the Capitol Steps
Met by Logical Arguments.
The Rights Of the American
People Defined.

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 1.-The
details of the interview which Mr..
Coxey had with Speaker Crisp last night
were learned to-day. To the formers
request for suspension of the regula-
tions so as to permit the con-
templated meeting on the Capitol
steps, the Speaker replied that
while he did not remember the exact
terms OF the law he doubted that he had
any authority to grant the permission
asked. But" he added, elf l have
the authority will not grant the per-
NIT What reasons have you to offer In
support of your request to have the op-
GRAFTON of the law suspended?"
Coxey asserted that they came here
to represent millions OF unemployed
and starving people. "Then what is
your purpose; what do you intend to
do?"
Coxey said that they came In the
name of the people to demand legisla-
tion for their relief, and then entered
into a long statement about his being
the representative OF the people.
"How are you the representative or
the people?" the Speaker retorted.
''BY WHAT AUTHORITY
do you undertake TO represent $4,000,
900 of people Of this country. The peo-
ple's representatives are the $50 repre-
sentatives elected to Congress and vest
ed with authority under the provisions
of our Government"
Coxey objected that Congress did not
represent the people.
Then" said the Speaker, "your rem
edy is At the ballot box. Un-
der our system Of government the
government itself is the people, snb-
ject to frequent changes, when the
people indicate at the ballot box that
they want a change. You appear To be
a self-constituted representative OF the
people,"
CoxeY replied that the appeal to the
ballot box was so slow, that the relief
demanded must be heard at once.
"Do you expect to coerce Congress.
In what respect is your method OF petit
tion better than the old method, which
is being constantly availed OF by the
people"
Coxey held that written petitions
were never regarded by Congress and
that be thought his methods would
compel consideration.
"Do you expent to intimidate Con-
grass? Do you think that you can
frighten any representative into voting
AGAINST HIS CONVICTIONS?
Coxey said that he did not know, but
he believed it was the duty OF the Gov
ernment to appropriate moueg for the
employment of the unemployed. He
said they could not wait for the oppor-
tuuty TO elect men TO Congress,
representing 1.-THE people" and that they
would have to have relief, even If 1t
were secured through revolution.
"Your proposition" said the Speaker,
would De, If carried out, subversive OF
the government. Our institutions would
be overthrown and there would be no
stability OF government"
Coxey still persisted and said that his
army mad a right to assemble In the
White House grounds.
The Speaker replied that he would
not grant the permission sught; that
no reason had been given which would
warrant it; that II permission were
given to Coxey 1t could not be re-
fused to any one for any purpose;
that the proposed method of petition
meant an attempt at intimidating or ID
meant nothing; and that II the theory
of public ownership was to be accepted
as giving any assemblags the right TO
take possession OF or occupy govern
ment property, it would apply to the
tire asury and It's vaults as WE'LL"