The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-08
ANTITRUST LEAGUE PROTEST.
Commissioners Explain Concerning
Wagon Campaign AFFAIR.

Wagon Campaign AFFAIR.
The District Commissioners yesterday
sent an official reply to Il. B. Martin
| President Of Washington Lodge No. !,
American Antitrust League, relative &c
! the refusal Of the municipal authorities
to grant permission to the Bryan Demo
cratic Association to use wagons on the
streets for the purpose Of assembly and
| discussion.
In their letter TO Mr.. Martin the Com
missioners say that no application Of the
nature referred 10 was made 10 them. The
| Comm ssi0ners, however state that they
are informed by the Superintendent Of
| Police that application was made TO him
to allow music in the wagons, as well as
| speaking from them. which the Superin-
! tendent AYERS he told the committee he
would cheerfully grant. He also informed
the Commissioners that permission was
asked to allow the wagons to stand on
the streets, which he said he was unable
| 10 grant. as such permission could only
| be given by the Commissioners, If it could
be granted at all, and the committee was
referred TO the higher authority for such
permit.
The Commissioners state further that no
application was made to the president Of
the board for such a permit, nor did those
who made the application see him about
II. When the committee called on April
s. the Commissioners say that they were
informed to the effect that no permit
would be required for the proposed occu
patton Of the street; that they would have
the right to let their wagons stand at any
place on the street so long as the vehicles
did not cause an obstruction. Further, the
Commissioners inform Mr.. Martin that the
police will be notified to be as generous
in their Interpretation Of the Jaw as posi-
bic. and 10 treat the representatives OF
the association with due courtesy.
The resolutions which called forth this
reply were brought TO the Commissioners
Office by J. Floyd King, and read as
follows:
Whereas it has come to the knowledge
Of Antitrust League No. ] Of the District
Of Columbia that by order Of the Commits
sioners Of the District permission has been
refused to the Bryan Democratic Associa-
ton to assemble peaceably and TO discuss
the political issues now commanding the
attention and interest Of the citizens not
only Of the District, but OF the entire ma
ton, involving the liberties of the Ameri-
can people and the perpetuity Of American
institutions. therefore be it
Resolved. That a committee OF five be
appointed by the president Of this league
to wait upon the Commissioners of the
District and demand from them their au-
thoTity for such arbitrary usurpation Of
power, and by what right they assume 10
override and set aside so arbitrarily and
tyranically a constitutional right Of the
free citizens Of this Republic to peaceably
assemble and discuss questions OF common
interest and vital Importance; by what
right they have dared 10 override the con-
stitutionally guaranteed right Of peaceable
assembly and free speech. and that said
committee shall demand a repeal of this
high handed. arrogant. and arbitrary or
der. which smacks too much of imperial
ism 10 be quietly submitted to by a free
people in times Of profound peace; and be
il further
Resolved That these resolutions be
given to the press in order that the people
may understand and realize the extent to
which their liberties are impeTiled and
how far arbitrary usurpation Of power
dares 10 go even now. and that under the
very shadow OF the White House; and be
il further
Resolved, That il the Commissioners
persist in their arbitrary refusal TO rec
cgnize this right Of the citizens 9uaran-
teed to them by the Constitution OF their
country. this league is determined to car
~ this matter before the highest tribunal
OF the nation the Congress OF the United
States