The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-15
PRICE Two CENTS.
CONGRESSES FIRST CRANK.
4 Negro Addressed ths SPEAKER but vas
Quickly Arrested b. Door Keeper.
H. SAYS I0iBS MILL BIZ THE PENALTY
or the Failure to Pass Coxey's Biii-Rigid
Precautions taken by Col Snow Agsinst
wa,hingion's Army OF Crank.

WASHINGTON. May H. "A disturbance
was created in the House OF Represents
tiyes this morning by the sudden inter-
rupuon OF the even tenor OF proceedings
by buriy negro In the centre gallery
arising In his place and shouting: mir.
Speaker, II the House OF Representa-
tves'-. Instantly The House was In con-
fusion, and all eyes turned upon the new
orator in the gallery. The Speaker. who
was the first to regain his ccmposure.
directed the Doorkeeper to remove the
offender
The man was OF powerful physique.
however, and the DoOrkeeper was unable
TO oust him for some une. the negro
vainly endeavorng to deliver his alleged
divinely-inspired message to the effect
that the Lord had commissioned him TO
come to the Speaker OF the House and
to order him to pass the Coxey bill. Hs
was finally elected.
B)N'Bs VIII. By lHT TESsLlY.
The crank's name is Matthew A. Cher
ry He Is a blacksmith, residing In this
city. He insists that ne f. not insane,.
but his mind Is manifestly unbalanced.
When questioned by the Capitol police
he said that unless the "Cosey Good
Roads bill was passed there would be n
general destruction Of Government prop
erty in Washington. Congress would be
given until the 2ith instant To pass the
bill. If IL did not become law by that
time the public buildings would be de-
stroyed by bombs. He was arrested by
the Capitol police and taken 10 the guard
room. in the basement OF the Capitol.
He was perfectly tractable and offered
no violence lie was retained in the guard
room about thirty minutes. when he was
taken 10 the Sixth precinct station.
iNDFAvoR' d To sTr 7rr sPvAFrR
Before entering the gallery Cherry en-
deavored 10 see Speaker Crisp. He call
ed at the corridor which runs In the rear
of the House chamber, and was stopped
by the Doorkeeper. Speaker Crisps soom
is situated at the east end OF this cor
ridor where three doorkeepers are sta
toned coored messenger also guards
the door OF the Speakers room. When
the crank demanded to see the Speaker
the Doorkeeper asked his business The
crank replied that he desired an audi
ence with Speaker Crisp. but refused TO
state for what reason. Upon the Door
keeper again refusing to comply with his
request the crank faced about and went
up In the gallery.
CoLoNrI Snow oy crANKs
"The town IL full of cranks." said Col
onel Snow, the Sergeant-at-Arms OF the
House in speaking OF Cherry's arrest "You
| can't walk Pennsylvania avenue without
| meeting them at every turn. There IL
an individuality about cranks and a
! ttt1a Of nttr WILL Dnf1
one at glance. We have taken every
precaution 10 guard the members OF
| the House from the violent action OF these
| people, for n crank is violent when you
! least expect H. But no precaution can
| prevent an evil disposed person from
| coming into the gallery with a destructive
| weapon in his pocket. During the excite
| ment about the first OF the month. we
kept an officer I'm citizens clothing I'm the
gallery, anl every suspicious person was
carefully watched. II Is our rule not TO
permit persons carrying valises or
packages Of any description to en-
ter the gallery. Where n man Is re-
garded with suspicion the officers keep
close to him TO prevent any overt act.
There probably never were so many
cranks in Washington as at present, and
the White House and the Capitol are their
storm centres
PIGfD PRECAUTIONARY MvAsURgs
'Do | anticipate trouble with them? I
do not. because no precaution Is neglected
TO protect everybody about the Capitol"
The promptness with which Cherry was
elected from the House galleries showed
| the excellent system In vogue at the
| Capitol, I'm reference 10 cranks. Cherry
| had not spoken fifteen seconds before
| Doorkeeper Bowen grabbed him by the
collar and dragged him into the corridor
| outside.