Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-10-28
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20 =
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Rapid GrOCth of a BenerOlent
order IN Baltimore.

Within the last two years the
Knights of Labor have increased very
rapidly in Baltimore, having added
during that time over 5000 names
to the list of members, the aggregate
now being estimated at 10000. Prior
to it's organization IN Baltimore, which
was during the year 1859, the various
trades unions, meeting on different
nights and not having Communication
with each other, were unable to act
undeIstandingly upon important pro.
positions affecting their interests, and
in this way their efforts were not only
powerless, but they were frequently
derided for attempting to accomplish
results with go little numerical
strength. 1t was common to hear
them spl ken of as having no fixedness
of purpose that they really knew not
what was best for them, and that if
they did they would not agree long
enough to achieve my specific object
IN view. Thus as distinct bodies they
were never consulted and little dread
ed. Now, however, they are looked
upon very differently, Being recog.
nized as an important agent. and as
snch will probably be able to secure
more consideration in the future than
they have in the past. They have in
this city twen;y-eix assemblies of
whit, men, made up of printers, car
pentors, bricklay yers, blacksmiths, can
makers and every other trade, to-
gether with several assemblies of co.,
ored mechanics and laborers, all Of
whom are under the direct jurisdlc-
lion of q central district assembly
composed of delegates from each, and
the voice of this higher assembly is
the voice of all throughout the city
and within radius of five miles be-
yond. They have been very thought
ful in drafting their constitution 80 as
to admit Catholic mechanics and la
borers, large number of whom are
members. They aid one another if
in distress, as for example: Last
winter colored man was met in the
streets Of Baltimore by some boatmen
who persuaded him to go on board a
schooner lying at anchor in the basin
to do small job of work, promising
to pay him we'll for it. The colored
man followed them to the beat, and
when he was fairly on board, they
drew anchor. hoisted sail and carried
him to the mouth of the Potomac,
where he was kept a prisoner and
forced to dredge for oysters, his wife
and children meanwhile being left
without means of support. He sue
ceejed, after a couple of weeks i'm
prisonment, in getting word to Balti-
more, whereupon some half dozen
white knights of Labor procured a
ting, went to the Potomac, took the
man from the vessel and made the
captsin pay damages. Also, in the
case of Michael Crogan, who was re-
Gently drowned below Fort Carroll,
the members of the organization, as
already stated in the Day, recovered
his body, brought it to the city anil
provided becoming Christian burial
from st. Marys Star of the Sea
Church. The order proclaims that
the development and aggression OF
aggregated wealth will lead to pau
pellza'ion and hopeless degradation
Of the telling masses if check be
moi placed upon its power, aud they
believe this much desired object can
only be accomplished iy thorough
unlfoation Of labor as contemplated
by their organization.
Tba oh;aoto ara. an, hr;ne, within