Historic Labor Leader Jacob S. Coxey in 1910s Photo

The photograph features Jacob S. Coxey, a key figure in the American labor movement of the early 20th century. Taken between 1910 and 1915 by the Bain News Service, this image captures Coxey during a time when he was advocating for the rights of the unemployed and promoting economic reform. He is best known for leading Coxeys Army in 1894, a march on Washington, D.C., where thousands of unemployed laborers rallied for public works jobs and other forms of economic relief during the Panic of 1893.

Coxeys message resonated with many disenfranchised Americans facing economic hardship. His proposals included a plan to finance public infrastructure projects through the issuance of paper money, aimed at stimulating the economy and providing jobs. This photograph serves as a historical testament to an essential moment in labor history, representing the struggle for workers rights and the push for legislative changes during a critical period in American economic development.