The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-05-02
CRISP SCORES COXEY.
How the Speaker squelched the
Commonweal Army Leader.
TIE REMEDY FOR EXISTING EVILS.

MIR. Crisp Reminds the Ohio Farmer That
Reforms Can Not be Brought About by
Intimidation Through Self Constituted
Leaders. but Through the Ballot.
wAsHINGToN May 2.-The details of the
interview which Mr.. Coxey had wit
Speaker Crisp Monday night have just
been learned. To the formers request for
q suspension of the regulations so as to
permit the contemplated meeting on the
Capitol steps the speaker replied that
while he did not remember the exact terms
of the law, he doubted that he had any
authority to grant the permission asked.
"But," he added, 'if l have the au-
thority I will not grant the permission.
What reasons have you to offer in support
of your request to have the operation of
the law suspendedH
Coxey asserted that they had came hero
to represent millions Of unemployed and
starving people.
'tThen what is your purpose7 What do
you intend to do2h
Coxey said that they came in the name
of the people to demand legislation for
their relief, and then entered into long
statement about his being the representa-
tive Of the people
.'How are you the representative of the
peoplea" the speaker asked. by what
authority do you undertake to represent
65 ,000, 900 of people of this country. The
peoples representatives are the 1856 repre-
sentatives elected 10 congress and vested
with authority under the provisions of our
government "
Coxey objected that congress did not
represent the people.
"Then," said the speaker, your remedy
is at the ballot box. Under our system of
government the government itself is the
people, subject to requent changes when
the people indicate at the ballot box that
they want change, and you appear to be
a self constituted representative of the
people"
Coxey replied that the appeal TO the
ballot box was too slow; that the relief de-
manded must be had at once.
"Do you propose to coerce congressf In
what respect is your method of petition
better than the old method. which is be-
ing constantly ayailed of by the people2"
Coxey held that written petitions were
never regarded by congress, and that he
thought his method would compel con-
sidcration.
do you expect to intimdate congressp
Do you think you can frighten any repre-
sentative into voting against his convic-
tions2"
Coxey stated that he did not know but
ne DtlltNtu IL WAS tne uulf Vi tne govern
ment to appro pirate money for the em-
| ployment of the unemployed. He said
| they could not wait for the opportunity to
elect men to congress representing the
| people, and that they would have to have
relief even if it were secured through
/ revolution.
Your proposition" said the speaker,
"would be, if carried out, subversive of
| the government. Our institutionswould
| be overthrown, and there would be no
| stability of govern ment"
Coxey still persisted, and said that his
army had right to assemble in the w hite
/ House grounds.
The speaker replied that he would not
| grant the permission sought; that no rea-
son had been given which would warrant
/ IL; that if permission were given to CoXey
it could not be refused to any one for any
purpose; that the proposed method of pc
1 tition meant an attempt at intimidation
or it meant nothing; and that If the theory
of public ownership was to be accepted as
giving any assemblage the right to take
possession or occupy government property
it would apply to the treasury and its
vaults as we'll