People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1894 — MARCHING ALONG. [ARTICLE]

MARCHING ALONG.

Coicj'i Column, However, Hotm Slowly —Checked by Cold Weather. Louisville, 0., March 28.—Coxey’s commonweal army left Canton at 11 o’clock Monday and at night encamped near the town woodpile of Louisville, 7 miles away. Late Monday night the mayor tendered the frozen army the use of the town hall for a sleeping place. Stripped of all its following of curious onlookers Coxey's army came out of Canton just 100 strong. This was somewhat of a surprise, for desertions had been many during the night. For the preceding twenty-four hours the mercury hovered near the zero mark, and a bitter, piercing wind was blowing. No less than sixty men sneaked out of camp Sunday night and sought quarters in the town lock-up. In the way of what the Coxey army calls “chuck” Canton proved a good town. Several bakers sent a quantity of bread to the camp; other merchants contributed eatables and fodder, and the “army” was fed. Monday’s battalion resembled the crowd of Sunday. There were a few more of them; that was the only difference. They were just as cold, just as dirty, just as thinly clad as ever. The surprising thing about this army is that under command of its officers it both can and will work. The men are divided into “groups” of five; each group has a captain who is known by a number and to whom orders are given. When the outfit goes into camp everything is done quickly and in order. Some drive pegs and erect the tents; others start fires; sentries keep back intruders, and others care for the horses. Everyone has his work, and so far seems willing to do it. Coxey did not join the “army” until late in the day. He saw Senator Stewart’s letter in the papers and sent out the following reply over his signature. The document shows traces of Browne, condensed in as follows:

‘•I have seen your letter In the newspapers addressed to •Gen.’ Coxey. Allow me to inform you that I am not a ‘general.’ I would respectfully announce that I am simply president of the Coxey Good Ituads association of the United States and cx-offlcio of the Commonweal of Chrisu lam not leading an ‘army,’ uo matter what a subsidized press at the command of a money power tries to make it appear, and all the epithets hurled at us as being anarchists or ‘a mob’ get more weight from ill admissions by our friends. The warfare of silver men against the gold power under your leadership is magnificent. The morning dispatches say that even the president of the United States is engaged in a conspiracy with Wall street and he has vetoed the Bland seigniorage hill in the sole interest of gold. So the die is cast. We shall march peacefully and depend on the outpouring of a peaceful public to defend us against Pinkertons, either In police, men, militiamen or petty party politicians.”

Coxey's financial troubles have caused the following letter to be issued. This also is understood to have emanated from Browne: •To the Common People of the United States: The Shylocks of the United States are doing all in their power to crush J. S. Coxey and ruin him iinancially. They are trying to divert attention from his real purpose to relieve the distress and suffering of the common people by raising a hue and cry that all his creditors are closing in on him. The plutocratic press of the United States is assisting the Shylocks in tneir attempts to ruin him financially and place him before the public in a ridiculous light. When Gov. McKinley was in financial distress the plutocrats of the United States contributed about *15J,000 for his relief. Mr. Coxe.v, like most business men wno transact a large amount of business, has indebtedness which in the ordinary circumstances of business he would be able to meet. But because of his activity In the Interest of the Qommon people some of his creditors have been induced to close in on him. This will be done and his property sacrificed unless immediate help is forthcoming. Let the great common people of the United Slates look upon it as a privilege to contribute, In sums however small, for liis relief. The common people of Canton, citizens who have undertaken this work of relief, have chosen Allen Cook as chairman and he can be found at No. 33 South Market street, Canton, O."

The members of the committee are Allen Cook, chairman; J. J. Ashenhurst, 11. W. Kerchs and Dr. H. K. Siby. The committee say they will begin raising the money at once. According to the records at Canton Coxey’s mortgage indebtedness is about §40,000. On his big stallion, which cost him $40,000, it is said he still owes $24,000 and that the horse had already been attached. A story had been sent out from Alliance to the effect that Coxey would desert his army at Alliance and would go to Chicago, leaving Carl Browne in charge of the “army.” At the Hartford house Coxey denied this story. lie stated that he would have to be in Chicago Wednesday, as he had some horses to sell, but he insisted that he would be away only one night and would be with them again Thursday. It is known that Coxey’s financial condition is troubling him and that this movement may result in his financial ruin. He is still enthusiastic, however, and declares that he will go on to Washington. Sax Antonio, Tex., March 28. —The main body of 700 unemployed men which entered Texas at El Paso on its way cast is now at Finlay in a distressed condition. Finlay is a small station with only about twenty inhabitants, 36 miles from El Paso. After hauling the army out of El Paso the Southern Pacific railroad sidetracked it at this point and have so far succeeded in preventing the men riding any further. The army, meanwhile, is practically without food, having exhausted the rations secured at El Paso, and in this strait have telegraphed to Gov. Hogg to do something for them, as they are starving. If the governor has made any reply to this appeal it is not yet known.