The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-05
Trial of the CommOnweaI Leader and
His Lieutenants.

WASHINGTON, May 4-AnOther OppOr-
tunity was afforded the commonweal lead
ers TO exploit themselves before the pub
lie in the Police Court proceedings against
the leaders. Marshal Carl Browne took
advantage Of the occasion to swagger
about in his buckskin apparel, and once
put in a word of comment re-
garding the proceedings. Judge Mil
Ter, who is a hard-headed magis-
trate. exhibits a tendency to treat the I'll
tied c-ommonwealers like other defendants,
and threatened to have the Marshal con-
signed to the dock. There was an audience
gathered which filled the court room. and
included most Of the PopuEst leaders, as
well as other members of Congress.
The defense raised the issue OF constitu-
tionality of the law under which their cli-
ents were arrested. The point was argued
at considerable length by Senator Allen,
of Nebraska Congress, he said, had no
and the Speaker Of the House the right
to suspend the enforcement of the act any
power upon the car OF all the Russiaas.
He denounced the courts for assuming
legislative functions. This case. the Sena-
portance. He quoted Magma Charta and
American revolutionary history. and de,
a denial of the rights of peaceable assem-
blage and petition. Those rights were i'm
piled In the Constitution as regarded every
much as in California, Texas or Florida.
Judge Miller. after arguments closed,
everrsled the objections OF the counsel
Judge holding that the Capitol grounds
act was constitutional. The e~mpaneling
tary OF the Board of Trade was peremp-
torily challenged by the defense. Judge
Miller refused a separate trial for Coxey,
so the three defendants are in one boat.
They were represented by three attorneys
-Representative Lafe Pence. of Colorado;
Ex-Assistant District Attorney A. A. Lips
comb, of Washington; and a young and in
experienced lawyer named LYMAN: The
proceedings were pervaded with good nat
Van Voorhis. of New York, INTERCEPTED a
speech. although he had no particular con-
nection with the case. and 1t was difficult
Major Moore, the chief of police. In his
testimony repeated the conversation with
Coxey o April 80. when the General as
serted his intention of carrying out the
programme of speaking from the Capitol
steps. Mr.. Lipscomb endeavored TO show
R Rs t often Ni bsen u ased for sae purposes G1p5ses snehh aus
Mr.. Coxey endeavored to carry out, but
was overruled. The trial will be continued
tomorrow. and the attorneys stated to
the court that they expected to conclude
then.
The frequent showers of rain that fell
here to-day dampened, to a considerable
extent, the ardor and enthusiasm OF the
commonwal army. The men are not ade-
ouately protected against the weather and
they present q very forlorn and detected
appearance. The rations furnished are
simple and limited. The feeding of five
hundred and more men besides a number OF
horses requires considerable activity on the
part of those in charge of the commissary
department. Affairs at the camp are quiet
and the men show nc outward signs Of
dissatisfaction.
Senator Power to-day presented a petit
ton adopted at q mass meeting In Butte.
Mont. declaring in favor of the organiza-
fi0n Of "a home guard OF the COXeY army
10 assist in case necessity demands" and
calling on the Montana congressional dele
cation TO demand that all further inter
ference with the forward march OF the
Coxey army be discontinued. The resolu-
tons denounce the deputy United States
marshals Of Montana and refers to those
who fired on the Coxeyites as a band Of
mercenaries composed of the scum Of hu-
mainly in the employ OF our government"