Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-11-07
coxsr's DAY OVER.
The Nine Days Wonder Of Ohio Politics Sinks
Into Oblivion.


lowed by his ragnuffin band, ,blasphemously
named the "Commonweal OF Christ.
marched out of this pretty little town IN
quest of Congressional Endorsement OF bis
wild vagaries. The history of his famous
march on Washington is as well known TO
the average schoolboy as the "Retreat OF
the Ten Thousand chronicled by Keno
phon.
The interest in his venture was many
sided. 1t was doubted that he could lead
body of men across the mountains into
Virginia in that unsettled season OF the
year. The roads were soft, and the spirit
of the law was against the band CT idle
trampers.
With that love of fair play that is upper
most in American hearts, he was encour-
aged and sustained. The deluded man be-
lieved that it was his mission that was be
ing indorsed, and he marched bllndiy on
with his nondescript array, and succeeded
by the very oddity and fantastic originality
of his movement in reaching Washington.
1t was freely prophesied that he would
never reach the goal, and his success IN
this direction caused many unthinklng peo-
ple to desert common sense and 60 over tv
bis cause.
They perfectly exemplified the old say
ing that nothing succeeds Ike success.
He had conducted his army of beggsrs to
Washington, they argued, and he would 60
further and compel Congress to recognize
him. The laughable outcome of the final
effort of the grotesque politician to round
off his prophecy to read his declaration OF
principles on the Capitol steps finished the
burlesque suddenly.
He had made the populace laugh, and
they were tired of his antics. The ludi-
crous side had been turned around, and
they saw him only as the poor, half-cracked
fool that he really is. He retreated, there
fore, from Washington and New York ,and
went into the Midway Plaisance OF the
United States-the state Of, Kansas. Here
he delivered lectures, and was hailed by the
Populists as demi-go great even as Mary
Ellen Lease and Senator PETER are great
Other Populists demanded his services, and
people flocked to hear and see the founder
of Coxey's Army.
There was nothing else for the Third
party men of this district, McKinley's old
stamping ground, but to nominate him for
Congress.
Coxey returned to his native heath and
proceeded to introduce an innovation in
politics. When he began his march to the
cap tai young circus man named Wetter
donated an old tent as a shelter for the
army" The spring season proved dis
astrous one, and Wetter returned to Massil-
lon in crippled condition. Coxey bought
part of his outft-a tent, band wagon
and number of chariots. Hiring band
he sailed forth to travel through the dis
trict.
Coxay talked, the band blared and his
disciples took up collection at each meet
ing. A number of misguided men in both
the old parties renounced their allegiance
to them and "came out for Coxey."
Even the farmers, the mainstay of the
Populists' strength, have soured on the
mountebank candidate of their party.
Unless he buys another forty-one thousand
dollar stallion, inaugurates new crusade,
or is taken before the probate judge, it is
not likely that much will be heard of Coxey
after this election. He has had his day like
Martin Irons, Dennis 'Keerney and others
that ilk. The public want no warmed-over
dishes.
The people of the 18th district are now
heartily sick of the wearer of the motley in
politics. Those voters, who, in the stress
of the hour went over to his cause, have,
with but few exceptions returned. When
the stranger within the gates asks as to the
chances of the Populist candidate for cleo
ton be is greeted with a bored look, fol
lowed by an artificial smile. He is then
told that it isn't good form to discuss Coxey
at home. If queries are persisted in tie
querist is met with profanity ard railing
terms.