Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-27
SONS OF.rOlL.
interesting Facts Concerning
the Knights Of Labor.
What They Have Done and are
Going to Do.
Measures For Defense
New York Press, q.

~ an
country, aud the one at present in
progress in Wilmington, have again
revived interest in the organization
known as the Knights of Labor, q
body that is indirectly charged with
being the instigators and aiders and
abettors of all the trouble between
labor and capital. The order in the
United States is said to contain
nearly 100000 members, the body in
Pennsylvania alone enrolling 10000.
The Knights are also said to be taking
a hand in politics in a quiet way, and
intend, when candidates nominated by
the two great parties do not come up
to their idea to put their own men in
the field.
Mayor T. v. Powderly, of Scran-
ton, Pa, the Grand Master of the
Knights, nominated for Lieutenant
Governor by the Greenbackers in
their convention on Thursday, says,
however:
Il regret very much that our name
is being used so much of late in con-
n%ection with political matters. 1t
occasions me no end of trouble, and
[ am often written to to know if it is
authorized. The Knights of Labor is
NOT A POLITICAL PARTY,
and, as l am the chief officer, l am
made the target of any number of
letters Of censure."
1t is stated by those supposed to
know that unless all difficulties are
adjusted between employers and en-
ployes a serious trouble is anticipated
10 the near future, as the union is
making rapid strides toward compile
ton to assure a successful result if
any attempt is made this time"
As yet there have been no indica-
tions of any serious ruptures between
bosses and workmen in Wilmington,
and for the benefit of the city and the
general welfare of its citizens it is
hoped there will not be.
A correspondent from Philadelphia,
in speaking of the Knights, says:
The telegraph operators, who have
from time to time been imposed upon
by their employers, have only quite
recently Joined the association. 1t
will be remembered that in 1871 they
had formed a union extending all
over the United States, and when
everything was in an apparently solid
condition. they demanded better in
ducemcnts from their employers.
This was refused, and a great strike
ensued. This caused
GENERAL CONFUSION
in all business quarters, the railroads
suffering the most. The Western
Union and the Pacific and Atlantic
Telegraph Companies, then the two
principal corporations Of the kind in
existence, resolved not to submit to
their wants, while the operatives we're
equally aggressive in their determine
ton not to resume work unless their
grievances were remedied. This strike
lasted for several weeks, when their
funds we're exhausted, and married
men with families dependent upon
them for support had to succumb and
return to work in order to save them
from starvation. One by one were
thus sacrificed until every man, in
Guiding the leaders and all were forced
back to work, and as a consequence the
masters hand was heavier than before
the strike. Things we're running this
way until 1877, which another uDsuc
cessiul effort was made in the direc-
ton of an advance of wages. This
had a telling effect upon the opera
tives, and frightened them so badly
that although several attempts have
since been made for another rebel
lion" as they termed it, none we're
willing to join the movement The
bosses, fully comprehending the situa
ton, have for the last few years
: TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT,
and imposition on their part has been
so gross and open-handed that last
winter the knights of Labor, knowing
of their grievances, offered a helping
hand by interfering in their behalf
and now there are already over 400t
telegraph operators in the association
What the operators demanded wai
better pay, shorter hours and tht
abolition Of ~telegraphic schools, OIL
plug factories" as they call them
When an operator made a protest Oh
asked a reasonable favor from hi
manager, his resignation was called
for and his place filed by a plug
from one of these so. called colleges
which are mostly women. They wert
then put in place of the discharged
operator at a salary of about fit,
per cent less than the one VIII
was removed received. The Oper
ators at Pittsburg were about thl
first to start this movement, and b,
constant agitation they have sue
ceeded in starting a telegraph opera
tors branch OF the Knights of Labo
in nearly every principal city in th
Union. A branch of this society wi
shortly be started in Baltimore, as the
city is one of the few which has "
not joined the movement. AT a cor
ventien held in Pittsburg last Marc
delegates from every part Of the Unite
States were present and it was imam
mously decided that aggressive mes
ures be instituted and that Jay GouI
and other capitalists should undo
stand that to the man doing the VOL
belongs a reasonable share of Il
profits. The members have late
, made occasional demands from the
employers, which have been readi
. conceded them. showing that Il
power Of the Knights Of Labor
feared.
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