Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-05-09
TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
CoXey Before the House Labor Com
Inittce.


mittee.
WASHINGTON, May 9.-Coxey came
into the House chamber of the Capitol
this morning in company with Repre-
sentative Pence. 1t was Coxeys first
appearance at the Capitol since his
futile attempt to speak from the steps
of the building. Some of the Repre-
sentatives who were earliest in their
seats crowded about him, but when
their curiosity was satisfied they drop
ped away one by one and left him alone
with MIR. Pence.
At II o'clock Mr.. Coxey appeared
before the House labor committee in
support of the Mccain resolution which
looks to the appointment of joint
committee to investigate the cause of
the present industrial depression and
to propose a remedy. He laid before
the committee petition bearing the
signatures of his followers, the character
of their occupations and their place Of
residence 1t was written on paper
bearing the letter-head of the army of
the Commonweal. The petition is
dated at Camp Tyranny, in the field,
Washington, D. c., May 8. 1884," and
reads as follows;
1--WE the undersigned citizens of the United
States of America now sojourning in the Dis
trict of Columbia, which is not only TIE asy-
lum of oppressed By all nations, but our ma
tional home, do hereby respectfully petition
your honorable body to allow brother J. S.
Coxey, of Massilon o., and Carl Brown, OF
Calistoga, California. to appear before you
TO voice our wishes in regard to the proposed
Washington, namely, the j. S. Cozcy good
roads and non-intcrest bearing bond bills. and
which, we believe, if passed by Congress
would not only solve the present prevalent
depression, give employment 10 US, represent
ing IS we do ali branches of industry OF many
millions more like US all over the Union,
but would etFcctuaiiy, we believe, provide
against any possible recurrence of the extra
ordinary condition now existing in the IT,
dustriaI and business arteries OF the nation
which, it seems plain to us. if not rcmcdied,
will bring death to republican institutions or
revolution to maintain them by force of arms
which all must deploro'
Coxey's petion was read by the clerk.
Carl Browne came in as the clerk fin
ished and seated himself beside CoXey.
Mr.. McGann, the chairman Of the
committee, said the petition would
have to go to the special committee
which they hoped to have formed to
investigate the entire subject of the in
dustrial depression.
Coxey then took the floor and started
to address the committee. He had only
proceeded moment when the mem
bers began questioning him. His re-
plies to their queries were rambling and
unsatisfactory. The impression made
by him upon the committe was obvious
~ not a lattering one. He was treat
ed courteously, and held the floor for
ten minutes, but he said nothing that
was either original or profound, or that
added in any manner to the knowledge
desired by the committee. He began
By saying that billions OF improve
ments ought to be made throughout
the country, and that millions ofpeople
are ready to make them. The only
thing needed was money. "We claim"
said he, "the same privileges that one
per cent. of the people, the national
bankers, have had to issue money based
on the wealth of the State, county and
municipality"
Coxey was followed by I. E. Dean, of
Pennsylvania, member of the execu-
tive committee of the farmers alliance.
He urged the appointment of special
committee to investigate the whole
subject Of industrial depression.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Deans re-
marks the committee went into execu-
tive session to consider the Mccain
resolutions.
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