The morning call., 1894-05-08
CRANK AND KNAVE
Coxey and Carl Browne
Sized Up.
TRIAL OF THE LEADERS.
Largely 1t Is Matter of
Principle.
CLUBS USED BY THE POLICE.
Each Side Will Make an Appeal to
the Prejudice Against the
Other.


the days proceedings, apart from the
speeches by the lawyers. 1t is apparent
that the case is being tested on the broad
grounds of justification for the Coxey
movement. for the Assistant District Attor-
ney, in his opening address, called Browne
a crank and did not hesitate to insinuate
that Cnxey was knave, while the oppos-
ing lawyers endeavored to make the trial
appear persecution by the plutocrats Of
the people, and appealed to animosity
against Wall street.
Attorney Hyman made the opening
statement for the defense. There was no
denial or defense for what the Common
wealers had done. He said the defense
would consist in the lawfulness of their
actions. He could remember but one
similar occurrence in history, and there
upon he produced the Bible and began to
read scriptural passage.
"The gentleman should confne himself
TO a statement of facls," interposed the
District Attorney.
Does the attorney deny that this is a
fact?" demanded the young attorney,
holding the Bible aIoft dramatically.
He was permitted to read a passage in
the Old Testament recting the Lord COM
manding Moses to take off his hat because
he trod on holy ground. From his dis
cursive statement it was outlined that the
defense would be based largely on the
brutality of the police clubbing citizens.
1t would be shown that Coxey had not
walked on the grass and Browne had been
driven through the shrubbery by the
police.
Frank Harper, newspaper man from
Alexandria. Va, testified that the police
had driven the citizens on the grass before
the procession arrived In order 10 clear
the pathway. Coxey walked so quietly to
the steps that he was not recognized until
the people pointed him ont. Thirteen
police surrounded the general when he ar
rived Witness was certain Coxey had
not walked on the grass. On cross-ex-
animation he said there were 5000 or 5000
people waiting and cheering for Coxey.
"Disorderly. were they not?" inquired
the District Attorney.
"Oh, no; they had the right to cheer.
They were American citizens. The DO
lice came near Running down a little girl
in front of me. l was ordered eff the
asphalt street two or three times. but re-
turned every time"
Then you disobeyedsthe police" said
the District Attorney.
'The police are not the law; they are
agents of the people TO carry out the law"
was the reply.
One person in the crowd on the grass
was Senator Allen.
Samuel L. Herrick (colored) when asked
his business explained: Il am one of the
army of unemployed. Until the beginning
of Democratic administration l was en-
ployed in the treasury. Coxey did not
touch the grass"
Being called upon to give ruling upon
a question asked this witness, Judge
Miller said it might be a mitigating cir
bearing upon intent to violate
the law. that the defendant had been
forced upon the grass by the police The
Judge added that one hundred violations
the law did not excuse one violation
oHerrick also had seen the police drive the
people on the grass.
Coxey took the stand and said be was
lobbyist in behalf of the unemployed men
who came with him. He brought them
here upon the principle that they might as
we'll be with him as anywhere. Coxey
said he told Major Moore the army might
break up and enter the Capitol grounds as
American citizens. The chief said there
was no objection.
"My object 10 going to the Capitol"
said Coxey, "was TO present Congress my
two bills, the good roads bill and the non-
interest bearing bonds bill, and to address
the Congress of the United States and the
American people on them. / demanded
the protection of the police. who seemed
to be Colonel Bright's right-hand bower,
to present Congress a petition from the
labor organizations In favor OF the bills"
Judge Miller would not permit the intro
ductlon as evidence of the speech Coxey
intended to make or the protest he issued,
saying they had nothing to do with the
trial. Coxey told the story of the march
to Washington without en- be elishments.
Concerning the flags of peace carried by
the army COxey said they had been pro-
yided for the men in order TO bring into
notice the two bills which were designed
10 bring peace on earth. good will toward
men. The organization itself was minor
affair, merely an emblem of the bills. He
did not know that Browne had the banner
when he started for the Capitol steps and
he did not consider the avenue leading to
the steps as d part of the grounds.
Next came to the stand Representative
Bland of Missouri. After some wrangling
over objections TO questions Judge Miller
refused to permit the Congressman to tell
how the police had clubbed the citizens.
Representative Pence argued that the de-
fense wanted to show that all the trouble
was caused by the police and said that
they had dozen members of Congress to
testify TO that effect Finally the membe
of Congress were allowed to tell that the
police had driven women and children and
men over the grass in their charge.
w. F. LoDgstreet OF Worcester, Mass.
and Mr.. Stettsust, a law student in Mr..
Lipscomb's Office, said that paths were
made across the Capitol turf by people
who took short cuts.
w. o. Shelby, a lawyer, described
Brownies arrest. telling how the police