Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1894-05-05
CRISP AND COXEY.
The Speaker Says Congress
Will Not be Intimsidatcd.

Of the interview which Mr.. Coxey
had with Speaker Crisp last night
were learned to-day. To the former
request for suspension of the regula
tions So as To permit the contemplated
meeting on the Capitol steps. III,
Speaker replied that while he did mol
remember the exact terms of the law
he doubted that he had any authority
To grant the permission asked. "Bu..
he added. iii have the authority
will not grant the permit. What
reasons have YOU Ia offer in support
OF your request To have the operation
Of the law suspende,!?''
Coxey asserted that they came here
to represent millions of unemployed
and starving people.
Then. what is your purpose:
What do you intend to doy"
Coxey said that they came in the
name Of the people to demand legisla.
ton for their relief. and then entered
into long statement about his being
the representative of the people.
How are You the representative of
the people?' the Speaker retorted.
by what authority do you represent
50, 100000 of people Of this country!
The peoples representatives are the
three hundred aud fifty-six representa-.
tives elected To Congress. and vested
with authority under the provisions
OF our government.
Coxey objected that Congress did
not represent the people.
Them" said the Speaker. "your
remedy is ut the ballut-box. Under
our system the government itself is the
people, subject To- frequent changes
when the people indicate at the ballot
box that they want change. You
appear To be a self constituted repre-.
sentativ. of the people"
Coxey replied that the appeal To
the ballot box WAS to slow: that the
relief demanded must he had at once.
do you expect to coerce Congress-
In what respect is your method Of
petition better than the old method,
which is being constantly awaited OF
by the people,"
Coxey held that written petitions
were never regarded by Congress. and
that he thought his method would
cnmnel consideration.
"Do you expect to intimiIate Con.
gress? DO you think that you can
ir:ghlen any representative into voting
against his convictions"
Coxey stated that he did not know.
but he believed il was the duty OF the
government TO appropriate money for
the employment Of the unemployed.
He said they could not wait for the
opportunity to elect men to Congress
representing the people" aud that
they would have relief, even IL it
were secured through revolution.
Your proposition" said the Speak
er, would he, il carried ont. subver-
sive OF the government. Our insiitu-
tions would he overthrow, and there
would be no stability OF government.
Coxey still persisted, and said that
his army had right to assemble in
the Capitol grounds. The Speaker
replied that he would not grant the
permission sought; that NO reason had
been given which would warrant it:
that il permission were given To Coxey
it could not be refused to any one for
any purpose; that the proposed method
of petition meant an attempt at intim-
idation. or it meant nothing. aud that
If the theory of public ownership was
to be accepted AS giving any assem-
blage to take possession or occupy
government property. il would apply
TO the treasury and its vaults as we'll.