The herald., 1894-04-30
WILL STAY ALL SUMMER
COxey's Army Marches Into
Washington.
They Expect Long SOjOurn at
the Capital.
Thousands Flock to the Camp Of
the COmmonwealers.
Many Distinguished Visitors - Browne
aud COxey Address the Multitude.
Western Industrial Armies
In Hard Luck.
RH the Assoclnted Press.

BY the Associated Press.
WAsuNGToN, April 29.-Citizen j. s.
Coxey, COMMUNICATIVE chief of the Good
Roads Army Of the Commonweal, stand
ing on his rickety wagon in the center OF
the Brightwood driving park, waving
aloft his Alpine hat to one of the most
cosmopolitan and extensive audiences
ever gathered in Washington. announced
this afternoon that the greatest march
of the nineteenth century had been ac-
complished. Three hundred and fifty
of miserably dressed, woe begoue,
grumbling out-at-the-elbows and run
down-at-the-heel specimens of humanity
marched into the park, led by heezy
apology for a band, pitched tents and
stretched themselves in the sun.
Thousands from the city turned out to
make holiday of it and inspect the
curious aggregation. Thick clouds OF
dust overhung the two roads leading to
Brightwood from the city all day long.
and were crowded with more travel
than customarily. Two endless process.
sions swept along the roads all day,
with such variety of travellers as had
never turned out in Washington since
war times. Every horse and wheeled
vehicle in the city had apparently been
pressed into the service, while the little
trolley railroad line, which was built for
the benefit of the suburban residents,
WAS rdiculously inadequate 10 the de-
msnd upon it.
sEMBLANCE OF CIRCUS DAY.
Lining the entrance to the park en-
terprising colored citizens had estab-
lished their booths for traffic in ginger
bread, and sweetened water passed
current under the guise Of lemonade.
The semblance to circus layout was
further enforced by the thimble riggers
and shell men stalking about the out.
skirts of the crowd. But when the peo.
ple poured into the park enclosure the
suggestion of circus day WAS full blown.
In the center of the half-mile race track
tapped the canvas enclosure which en-
circled the enclosure of the Common
veal army. Half q dozen weather.
beaten army tents stood about, and like
wise several canvas covered coHmiessry
wagons. The wagons were covered with
black painted daubs of legends. A
queer mixture of good roads and finance
prevailed. The great PeIcheron horses
were tethered about the wagons. Near
by were fastened two large American
Gags and emblematical banners were
freely displayed.
AN UNIQUE AGGREGATION.
But the most queer sight was the men
who had marched. They were the moat
unique and inexplicable aggregation ever
brought together. Some OF them were
at work at the tents and wagons. Others
curled up on the damp ground munching
great chunks of bread, and many were
stretched sleeping in the sun with their
heads pillowed on rolled-up coats. In
the most pretentious tent, which bore
the sign "Headquarters" painted across
it, were found the leaders of the army,
General Coxey and Marshal Carl
Browne. The marshal busied himself in
changing mis- buGkskin suit for more
conventional black cutaway, in prepara-
ton for the Incarnation services"
Which were about to begin.
TALK WITH CoxEY.
Glad in fashionable spring attire OF
light dran hue and as perfectly creased
trousers as could be seen on Fifth av-
enue, with a cup of coffee in one hand
and q boiled egg in the other. from
which he alternately took refreshment
and sustenance, sat General Coxey. The
question which has most agitated Wash
ington of late was propounded to him by
the Associated Press reporter.
"What do you intend to do when the
police prevent you from holding your
meeting in the capitol grounds ?" be
was asked.
mo one will prevent u.s." he replied.
"Does not the constitution guarantee
the right to peaceab!y assemble and pa
tition cengress?" asked he.
"But there is a police regulation
passed by congress which forbids per-
soma and assemblies on the capitol
grounds, and the police will atop your
army if it attempts to trespass."
''The constitution was written before
any police regulations" replied the
general. IF they come into conflict
with the constitution they are void. We
stand squarely upon the constitution;
that is our platform"
"How do you intend to enforce your
rights?"
"There is but one wsy-by an appeal
to the courts. We will go before the
highest courts in the land if necessary.
Meanwhile we will wait here in Wash
ington if it takes all summer If the
counts refuse us our rights there will be
revolution. do not advocate revolu-
tion, nor do 1 desire it, bus it will be
irresistible, and it will be the greatest
revolution of history, il the American
people are only thoroughly aroused"
SONGS IN DIVERS KEYS.
The conversation OF Mr.. Coxey was
broken into by trumpet call which
summoned the choir of the army. Fol-
lowing Carl Browne, the choir of
dozen privates in the army came cut to
the platform wagon. Brewne climbed
into the wagon, standing beside q stall
wart man holding Rloft the banner with
the legend; "The kingdom of heaven
(on earth) is at hand"
The choir ssng in various keys, key
to each individual, a parody on the re-
yivsl hymn, Hold the Fort.
MANY DISTINGUISHED VISITORS. =
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