The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1894-05-05
Coxey "Gets There" $50 Strong

COXcy OoJS Incre OOO SCrOnS
After all his drumming and blowing
Jacob s. Coxey, gambler, arrived in the
City of Washington last Monday even
ing, with his so-called "army"
The details of the interview between
Speaker Crisp and Coxey, held last Mon
day night, before his ridiculous escapade
on Tuesday, is as follows:
To request for a suspense of the
regulations so as to permit the contem-
plated 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. He then adj
ded: "But il / have the authority l will
not grant the permit. What reasons have
you to offer in support of your request to
have the law suspended?"
Coxey asserted that they came here to
represent millions OF unemployed and
starving people.
"Ihen what is your purpose? What do
you intend to do?"
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 represent
alive of the people.
SHOW are you the representative of the
people?" the Speaker retorted. SPY what
authority do you undertake to represent
100000 of people of this country? The
peoples representatives are the 365 rep
resentatives elected to Congress-"
Coxey objected that Congress did not
represent the people.
Them" said the Speaker, .'your RENE
dy is at the ballot box. Under our sys-
tenn OF government the government itself
is the people, subject to frequent changes
whenever the people indicate at the bal
lot box that they want change. You
appear to be self-constituted represen-
tative of the people,"
Coxey replied that the appeal to the
ballot box was too slow; that the relief
demanded must be had at once.
''Do you expect to coerce Congress? In
what respect is your method of petition
better than the Old method, which is be-
ing constantly availed by the people?"
COxey held that written petitions were
never regarded by Congress-; his method
would compel consideration.
"Do you expect to intimidate Congress?
Do you think that you can brighten any
Representative into voting against his
convictions?"
Coxey stated that he did not know, but
he believed it was the duty of the gov
eminent to appropriate money for the
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
revolution.
"Your proposition" said the Speaker,
"would be, il carried out, subversive OF
the government. Our institutions would
be overthrown. and there would be no
of government"
Coxey still persisted, and said that his
army had right to assemble in the
White House grounds.
The Speaker replied that he would not
grant the permission sought; that no rea-
son had been given which would warrant
it; that If permission were given to Coxey
it could not be refused to any one for any
purpose; that the proposed method Of
petition meant an attempt at intimida-
lion, or it meant nothing, and that if the
theory Of public ownership was to be ac-
cepted as giving any assembIage right
10 take possession or occupy government
then it would also apply to the /
treasury and its vaults as we'll.
In spite of all advice, on Tuesday Coxey
attempted to parade his '.army" on the
Capitol grounds, which ended in the ar
rest of himself and two or three of his
ieutenants for disorderly conduct and
violations of the law.
The whole thug was ludicrous farce,
md the people of the country, reognizr
ng il as fraud, only backed up by agi-
ors and those interested in protected in
lustries, have lost interest in it.
The celebrated st. Charles hotel in New |