People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1894 — THEY ARE GUILTY. [ARTICLE]

THEY ARE GUILTY.

Jury Brings In a Verdict Against Coxey, Browne and Jones. The Commonweal Leaden Disobeyed the Law in Carrying Banners The Two First Named Also Guilty of Trespass on the Capitol Grounds. SENTENCE DEFERRED. Washington, May 9.—After Congressman Pence (Neb. ) had been heard in defense of Coxey, Browne and Jones, and District Attorney Berney had closed for the prosecution, the jury at 12:55 p. m. retired. At 3:40 it returned with its verdict, which was as follows: Coxey Browne and Jones were found guilty on the first charge, that of carrying banners in the capitoi grounds contrary to law. On the second charge, that of trespassing on the grass, Coxey and Browne were found guilty and Jones was acquitted.

In his long charge to the jury Judge Miller told them that they were simply trying the defendants under what was known as a police regulation passed by congress. Congress had the right to pass these regulations, and the people had no right to dictate to congress how it should transact its business. All believed in liberty, but unrestricted liberty was the worst thing in the world, and this law was simply a restriction and it should be obeyed. Attorney Lipscomb immediately entered a motion for a new trial and another in arrest of judgment Judge Miller gave him four days to file the formal papers. Then the judge made inquiries about bail, and Frank Hume, a well-known wholesale grocer who several times has sought the democratic nomination for congress from the Virginia district across the Potomac river, signed a bond in SSOO lor each of the three convicted commonwealers. Gen. Coxey left the room with his wife, pushing through a curious crowd, which made no demonstration. The conviction of himself and Jones was a surprise to the commonweal sympathizers.

Two weeks may elapse, during which the trio will be free on bail, before the motion for a new trial is argued and decided. The penalty provided by law is the same for. each offense—viz., a fine not to exceed SIOO and imprisonment in jail for not more than sixty days, or both; within the discretion of the court. Accordingly the maximum punishment which may be meted out to Coxey and Browne is S2OO and 120 days in jail, while Christopher Columbus Jones is subject to SIOO and sixty days. By a curious congressional error in a recent bill which reorganized the district courts there is no appellate court to which a police court case can be carried. The only method of appealing from Judge Miller’s sentence will be by an application to a higher court for writs of habeas corpus and certiorari. Attorney Linscomb has announced that he will take this step if Judge Miller overrules the motion for a new trial. However, such a petition will not operate as a stay of judgment to keep the defendants from serving their sentences while it is pending. Coxey said that it was evident that his prosecution was not on account of what he had done, but because of the principles in behalf of which he had acted. Carl Browne remarked: “I was surprised at the conviction of Brother Coxey, because he was plainly acquitted by the evidence of any technical violation of the statutes. For my part, 1 expected to be convicted.” Washington, May 9.— The health officials of the district have submitted a report to the commissioners to the effect that the camp now occupied by Coxey’s army is a menace to the health of the inhabitants of Washington, and recommends in the strongest terms that immediate steps be taken to have it vacated. Coxey will probably be ordered to move the camp at once. Representative Hudson (Kan.), who was Coxey’s counsel before the police court, authorizes the statement that Coxey proposes leaving Washington with his followers as soon as he secures a hearing from one of the two houses of congress. Mr. Hudson says that Coxey lias no affiliation with the other commonweal forces that are now journeying to Washington. Ho has no correspondence with them and docs not know them or their purposes. He will not attempt again to speak from the steps of the eapitol nor will he attempt in any way to contravene the laws. The house committee on labor will probably give Coxey a hearing on his bills on Thursday.