Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-17
THE COXEY PROBLEM
Aspects of the Case Considered by
the District Authorities.
TIE POLICE AND TEE NATIONAL GUARD
Talking Of Keeping the "Army'
Under Surveillance.
THE LAW OF THE CASE

There was a council Of war this morning
at the District building. Capt. Powell was
In his element. Some wag pasted piece Of
paper en- the board room door where the
Commissioners were in session which read
''Ffe. fie. 70. fight,
We smell the blood of Coxeyite."
The rhyme furnished considerable amuse-
ment until messenger ruthlessly tore 1t
down.
Inside the Commissioners, with plan
Of the city and its environs before them,
were discussing the situation. Capt. Powell
pointed out several strategic points where
the army might be surrounded and kept un-
der surveillance.
But how viii the Commissioners hold the
army together? 1t has been argued that If
| any considerable number of the police is
detailed to watch the army. the city will
suffer. for the army, 1t is believed, will be
followed to washington by a gang of
| thieves, who would take advantage of the
| situation If any portion of the city was left
| without police protection A prominent
official said today:
| why not call out the National Guard and
let it take care of the army? 1t will serve
a double purpose. 1t will keep the police
men at their posts and give Congress and
the citizens a practical Illustration Of the
real worth OF the citizen soldiers"
Laws Bearing on the Matter.
1t is evident that the Commissioners are
considering precautionary measures. The
secretary of the board, acting under instruc-
tons. has complied the following laws bear
ing upon the subject of assemblies, &C..
which were presented to the Commissioners
| this morning:
An act for the preservation OF the public
I peace and the protection OF property
4 within the District of Colum bia.
Sec g. That 1t shall not be lawful for
any person or persons within the District
of Columbia to congregate and assemble
at the corners Of any of the streets or ave-
nues, or in any street, avenue, or alley,
road or highway, or on the foot pavements
| of flag footways of any street or avenue, or
| at the entrance or on the steps, cellar,
doors, porches, or porticos of any public
or private building office, or at the en-
trance, or in, on, or around any of the in
closures of the Capitol. Executive Mansion,
public squares, District buildings, Judiciary
Square, at the entrance of any church,
school house. theater. or any assembly
room, or in or around the same, any
other public or private Enclosure within
! the said District, and be engaged in loud
| or boisterous talking, or to insult or make
rude or obscene comments remarks or
observations on persons passing by the
same, or in their hearing. or to so crowd,
obstruct, or incommode the said foot pave
ment or flag footway. or the entrance into
| or out of such church, public or private
| dwellings. city hall, Executive Mansion.
Capitol, or other public Enclosure. square
or alley. highway or road, as to prevent the
/ free and uninterrupted passage thereof,
q Ter a penalty of not more than twenty
five dollars for each and every such offense.
Sec. 8. That all Migrants. idle and dis
orderly persons, persons Of evil life and
| fame persons who have no visible means
of support. persons who are likely to be-
| come chargeable to the District Of Column
bia as paupers. or drunk in or about any OF
the streets. avenues. alleys. roads. or high
ways. or public places within the District
of Columbia, or lettering in or about tip
ping houses. all suspicious persons who
have no fixed place of residence or cannot
give a good account of themselves, persons
guilty Of open profanity or grossly indie
cent language in or on any Of the streets,
| avenues, alleys, public places, roads or
highways Of said District; all public pros
titutes, and all such persons who lead a
VIGOROUSLY lewd or lascivious course of
life, shall. upon conviction thereof before
| the Police Court of said District, be re-
quired to enter into security for their good
behavior for the space of six calendar
months. Said security shall be in the ma
ture Of a recogniZance to the District of
Columbia. to be approved by said court in
a penalty not exceeding two hundred dol
lars, conditioned that the offender shall
not, for the space of six months. repeat
shall in other respects conduct himself
properly.
Approved July %. 1892.
The CpaitOl Grounds.
| Whereas, the Capitol grounds have been
formed to subserve the quiet and dignity of
the Capitol of the United States, and to
prevent the occurrence near it of such dis
turbances as are incident to the ordinary
use of the public streets and places: There
fore, the following statute for the regula-
ton of the public use Of said grounds, is
hereby enacted:
Be it enacted, ETC., That public travel in
and occupancy Of the Capitol grounds shall
be restricted to the roads, walks and places
prepared for the purpose by tagging, paw
l ing. or otherwise.
Sec 2. That 1t is forbidden to occupy the
roads in such manner to obstruct or him
der their proper uSe to drive violently upon
them, with animals not under perfect
! control, or to use them for the convenience
OF goods or merchandise. except to or from
the Capitol on government service.
| Sec. B. That it is forbidden to offer or ex-
pose any article for sale, to display any
sign, placard. or other form of advertise
ment; to solicit fares. aims. subscriptions, CIR
| contributions.
Sec. 4. That it is forbidden to step or
climb upon, remove, or in any way injure
any statue, seat, wall, or other erection, or
any tree, shrub, plant, or turf.
| Sec. >. That Ii is forbidden to discharge
any firearm. firework or explosive. set fire
TO any combustible, make any harangue or
Grafton, or utter loud, threatening or
| abusive language.
| Sec. 8. That it is forbidden to trade, stand
OF move III PROFESSIONS or aSSemDlaSeS, or
! display any flag, banner, or device designe ed
or adapted to bring into public notice any
party, organization or movement.
| Sec. I. That offenses against this act shall
be trieble before the Police Court of the
| District of Columbia, and shall be punish
| able by fine or imprisonment, or both, at
| the discretion of the judge of said court;
| the fine not TO exceed 500, the imprison-
ment not TO exceed sixty days. But in the
| case of heinous ofenses by reason Of which
public property shall have suffered damage
| to an amount exceeding 500 in damage,
| said judge of the Police Court may commit
or hold to bail the offender for trial before
| lumbia, when the offense snail be punish
! for a period OF not less than six months
nor more than five years.
| Sec s. That it shall be the duty of all
policemen and watchmen having authority
| to make arrests in the District of Columbia
/ and to arrest and bring before the proper
under their observation, or of whose Of
lenses they shall be advised by witnesses.
| Sec o. That it shall be the duty of all
| persons employed in the services of the
| government in the Capitol or on its grounds
| to prevent far as may be in their power
| offenses against this act, and to aid the
| police by Information or otherwise, in Sc
| curing the arrest and conviction Of Offend
erS.
| Sec. 10 That in order TO admit of the due
| observance within the Capitol grounds of
| coca sions Of national interest becoming
| the cogniZance and entertainment of Con-