The record-union., 1894-04-23

Washington. By the time Morris I.
Swift stepped on the improvised platform
there was fully $4,000 people present and
soon after the meeting got into working
order fully $4,000 were gathered around
the band stand. Swift delivered his
characteristic speech denouncing the
wealthy. the monopolists and every body
in general that did not think with the
socialist platform. Mr.. Swift submitted
the following letter to President Cleve-
land. which was adopted with ayes that
could have been heard mile away:
$40 President CteUeLdad, Washington:
At first thought it may seem to the ma
tional authorities that the simplest way
OF dealing with these penniless unem-
ployed persons, who are pressing their
way across the country to the Capital,
would be to employ some form of strict
and stern repression This is the opin-
ion of the Arnty and NdUy Register, which
calls upon you to gather in the regular
army to protect yourselves, the Congress
and national buildings against unfortu-
nate fellow-citizens. The custom is an
old one Of resorting to a liberal use of
bullets to check the rising desire of starv-
ing persons for food and work. No re-
public can follow this custom long and
live. We are sending a delegation to
represent the unemployed thousands in
New England in these days Of calamity.
y
deputation thrown into prison or slain
by official edict while ,exercising their
constitutional rights AMI liberty 10 petit
ton. The truth is, before tranquility is
restored there will have to be a readjust-
ment of the conditions of wealth.
"You may realize that the case is grave.
When have American citizens been
treated in this manner before? Is there
not wealth enough? Let US not be chill
dren in this matter any longer. Wealth
must be better distributed. This is no
time to prate about Senate dignity. 1t is
time for those who make laws to listen to
the commands of those who make them
lawmakers. You can endeavor to have
the people provided with proper food
while in Washington. We who are at
home will watch your action attentively.
"MoREIs /. SWIFT"
AT this moment there was a conference
among the leaders, while one of them
was speaking, and as result, those who
have enrolled themselves in the delega-
ton were told to slip away quietly and
meet at ROX bury Crossing, where Major
General Fitzgerald would meet them, and
would then march to Dedham, where they
intended to stop tonight.
An hour after the order was given forty
five men, headed by their leader, Fitz-
gerald, and carrying a yellow flag. were
marching toward Jamaica Plains.
UNEMPLOYED AT COTTON.
Cotton (Cal.), April 22.-At a citizens
mass meeting here, resolutions were
adopted asking Governor arkham, in
view of the deplorable business depres-
sion and destitution of the army OF the
unemployed, threatening public and pri-
vate property, to issue proclamation re-
questing Boards of Supervisors to pass
ordinances proving public work for able
bodied indigents, poor-houses for the all
ing poor and chain-gangs for those who
will not work. A committee from the
army was present and announced the de-
sire of the army to leave on foot for Wash
ington and ask aid. A supply of grocer
les was received this morning from
Orange.