Coxey, Jacob Selcher

Jacob Selcher (1854-), the leader of "Coxey's Army." Mr. Coxey was born in Pennsylvania. He worked in a rolling mill, became the owner of a sandstone quarry at Massillon, Ohio, where he still lives (1909), a prosperous man, worth perhaps $200,000. Originally an Episcopalian, he became interested in the osophy. He took an interest in public affairs. In 1892 he urged Congress to issue legal tender treasury notes to the value of $500,000,000 to be expended in building good roads. In 1894 he arranged with Mr. Carl Browne, whom he had met at a silver convention, to lead an army of the unemployed to Washington to present a petition to Congress on the steps of the Capitol, and to camp there until favorable action had been taken. Senator Peffer of Kansas was to introduce the desired measure--a good roads bill which should give unemployed men work. Payment was to be made in legal tender paper currency, to be had for the cost of printing. The army was to enlist 100,000 men. As a matter of fact it never exceeded 500 men. "The Commonweal of Christ," as the army was called, started from Massillon Easter morning, March 24, 1894. It was a motley, but orderly crowd. Some were tramps; some were men out of employment. A negro carrying the flag of the United States led the way. Carl Browne, clad in fringed buckskin and wearing a cowboy's broad brimmed sombrero, rode a gray mare. Next marched the trumpeter, "Windy Oliver," followed by "Cyclone" Kirkland of Pittsburg and seven musicians. General Coxey himself, the owner of a fine Kentucky farm, rode in a buggy drawn by a pair of bay mares. Mrs. Coxey, her sister, a daughter, and an infant son named "Legal Tender," followed in a carriage. Behind these strode a second negro bearing a banner with a portrait of Christ and a legend, "Death to interest-bearing bonds." About one hundred men formed the army proper. Ninety-nine thousand nine hundred more were expected to join the army on the way. Three wagons carried a circus tent and supplies. Fortythree newspaper reporters accompanied the procession. The army encountered a snowstorm in crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains. A few stragglers were arrested as vagrants and quarrels arose; but, on the whole, good order prevailed. Supplies were solicited or were tendered freely. General Coxey boasted that "not a chicken was stolen." The progress of the army was heralded widely by the reporters. Congress was nervous. The risings of the English, Wat the Tyler, and Jack Cade were brought to mind. The army reached Washington late in April. On the first of May the "Commonweal of Christ" marched solemnly to the Capitol steps amid an immense concourse of spectators. When General Coxey dismounted he and Mr. Carl Browne and a Mr. Jones were arrested for "trespassing on the grass." The army went back to camp. The leaders were held for twenty days. The army disbanded by degrees. Other armies were organized, particularly in Chicago; but, with the coming of improved financial conditions, the movement came to an end. In 1895 Coxey was the People's Party candidate for governor of Ohio, and polled 52,000 votes.