New-York tribune., 1894-04-21
|VORHMEN IN WASHINGTON
NEARLY 400 TO PROTEST AGAINST THE
WILSON BILL.
GREAT DELEGATION OF TEXTILE WORKERS
SEEK \ HEARING. BUT THEY WILL. NOT GET
IT FROM VOORHEES, COMMITTEE
THE REPUBLICAN MINORITY
NAV RECEIVE THEM
MAY RECEIVE THEM
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TrrBrxE )

fBY TELEGRAPH TIIBUSE
Washington. April 20.-Washngton was taken
by surprise to-day. but not by Coxeys army.
At noon $50 men and thirty women alighted
from a special train at the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad station They were the first division Of
a small army of wage-earners representing tex
tile and other Industries in Eastern Pennsylvania
and New-Jersey. II is expected that they will be
reinforced tomorrow hy a thousand more
They nere to protes; against the enactment
into law of the Wilson bill or any like revenue
measure. on the ground that such legislation will
inevitably cause reduction OF their wages
These people are all American citizens. and. ac-
cording to their means, they contribute to the
support of the Government They good and
law "A bidng citizens, and their coming arouses
no apprehension of disorder violence In the
mind Of even tho most timid man or woman
They have come simply to implore Congress not
to pass a law which will deprive them OF the
opportunity to work and earn money for the
support and comfort Of themselves and their
families They men seeking. not TO avoid
work but 10 preserve the opportunities for labor
at living wages.
The Free Traders in the House Of Representa-
tves were exceedingly wroth to-day when they
learned Of what they styled this invasion" and
several of them declared that "these people have
been sent mere ny ana AZ tne eNleHSf 'l ll'
miIl-owners to intimidate Congress" When in
formed that the expenses Of this demonstration
are borne by voluntary contributions in small
sums Of many thousands OF wage-earners and
that the employers have nothing TO do with II
in pecuniary sense the Free Traders repeated
their assertions and declared moreover, that the
wage-earners were entitled TO no more consider
alton than Coxey's motley crowd and the other
crowds that have assembled in various parts OF
the country and are coming to Washington.
The Philadelphia workngmen will not be
heard by the Finance Committee OF the Senate
Mr. Voorhees, said this afternoon that the COM
mittee had decided long ago that they w'uu
have no hearings. and that they could not now
change that rule Although the request has not
been made Of the Republican members OF the
committee II is known that should this conf
mittee Of workingmen desire II, the members ol
the minority will hear them on the ar
rival Of the operatives they marched 20
the Metzerott Music Hall. headed by Represen-
tative Harmer Of Philadelphia. Al thc nan
General Harmer made an address. In when ne
said that he had had an interview with Chief II
Police Moore. who had promised 70 allow ue
delegates every facility in the protection OF their
rights ., -.
General Harmer interviewed Colonel Bright. the
Sergeant-at-Arms Of the Senate. with reference
grounds in a body living protest against
the Wilson bill Colonel Bright replied that II
the Philadelphia people came they w"uiu ne
treated Just as any other American citizen Visit
ing the Capitol would be treated. lie pplhleu
out the law bearing upon the invasion OF the
Capitol grounds. which prohibits organizations
Of any kind marching through them as such ana
said that unless overrued by higher authorities
he would see that the law was enforced In TINS
respect, as in all others in cases coming uhHeI
his jurisdiction. He said. however, that II the
Philadelphia came 10 the Capitol IN an
orderly and peaceable manner. as he had no
doubt they would. there would be no interfer-
ence with their privileges. and they wOuId ne
entitled TO seats in the public galleries Cf the
Senate as long they were not occupied
The workingmen at their meeting at Metze-
rott's Hall this afternoon devoted their time 20
specchmaking. and to organization. Officers
were elected George Wells Of Philadelphia. being
made president Ephraim Riggs. Of German
town. and others made speeches.
An adjournment was made till 10 o'clock to-
morrow to meet the delegation that IS coming
over participate in the parade.
The convention Will end tomorrow. and the
delegates will leave for Philadelphia tomorrow
evening.