The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-10-10
Mr.. ADDRESS.

The annual address OF Grand Master
Powderly, to the Knights OF Labor, given
in full in yesterdays MINER, is production
worthy OF more than passing notice. It's
conservatism and moderation are worthy
of commentator. 1t marks Mr.. Powderly
I as q safe man to control the destinies OF 80
powerful an organization. 1t is free from
cant, hypocrisy and d~emagoguery. He
speaks wisely and s~agaciously and his
words deserve the earnest consideration OF
employers and wage-workers alike.
His opposition to convict LABOR will meet
with hearty approval from ali classes. The
~convicts of the country should not be per-
mitted to come in competition with honest
labor, and especially not on work paid for
out OF the taxes of the people. His bill, ii
not in conflict with the Constitution, should
promptly be made a law by Congress.
He complains that postmasters who en-
ploy labor, in order to learn what cores
pondence there may be between the as
sembly to which their employees belong
and sister assemblies or officials OF the Or
der, nave been guilty OF intercepting such
correspondence and opening it. This is a
serious matter, and one that Postmaster
General Villas should promptly take up.
The remedy suggested by Mr.. Powderly, to
prohibit employers from acting as post
masters, is neither just nor practicable.
1t smacks OF class discrimination, which
should not be tolerated in this country.
The mere fact that a man is possessed OF
wealth, or.employs a large number OF men,
should not disbar him from holding office,
any more than should the fact that
he is poor and an employee. The one is as
likely to be d~ishonorable us the other.
There is a better way; let the postoffice
department investigate the matter, ar
rest the offenders and bring them to JUS
tice.
The idea of postal savings banks is not
new nor novel, but it is good and practic-
able. Such banks nave proven great bless
ings to the people OF France and would be
of infinite advantage to the wage-workers |
of America.
Opposition to alien holders Of large bodies
OF land has already been incorporated in
our political issues and the restriction
u lLlllISTdVlOu Lin DCCH lOuoiS uiotuooCNi !
but no party has as yet dared toformulate
a plank in opposition to indiscriminate i'm
migration, save against paupers and crimi-
nails. Mr.. Powderly goes further. He thinks
the time has come when the country should
longer be flooded with immigrants.
There are many others of like opinion, but
have not had the courage to express
1t is quite true that this is no
''the workshop of the world" and it
us to see that it is not made "the
poorhouse OF the world" Our statesmen
:annot give this subject too much atten-
lion. Mr.. Powderly has done the work
ngmen OF the country a genuine service in
20 manfully calling attention to this deli
cate subject.
He discountenanced the propositions to
naugurate a strike for the establishment
Of the short hour plan on May 1, 1886, and
n this undoubtedly suggested wisely.
One other subject of general interest to
The public we find in this address. 1t has \
reference to the matter OF strikes, which we
at some length yesterday. 1t is
paragraph: drunkenness, which was
oVlAhCcs ohouiu pV PohiouOo
expulsion. TIL assistance fund should
De abolished and another plan substituted. r
Workingmen lave come to look upon it rs H
I fund to support strikes. This was not "A
rue. No strike should be ordered without N
:Ie assent OF the executive board, and then E
only after every other effort has failed. X
The executive board should act as a L
,,<:1ro 1,onl re o,r,;l;,< TO, orJ ,,l;&.. I#
ion. He thought it time for the Knights Il
II Labor to be more careful about cham
strikes OF other organizations. 1t
brought odium on itself in the past, in
instances, for its generosity. Before 4
sides hereafter it should be fully I:
convinced that there was right on the side
If the laborers." This is a subject that is Of
moment to the business and manufacturing
Ind mining interests and, indeed, the whole
The Knights of Labor COMPRISE
| ,OOO, 5000 men. An unwise and iil-con-
sidered act OF theirs might bring disaster
upon the whole country o~.night paralyze
5he prosperity OF any particular section in
night. The polio" of the order is to avoid
and ths suggestion that the Execu-
DpcSfu SuOulU become "a NaClOnal
Boa.u OF Cancellation and arbitration"
Ices credit to his head and his heart. The
to the order in the concluding
OF the paragraph just quoted
hould commend itself forcibly to the minds
If the members of the order everywhere.
The strength OF the Brotherhood OF Loco
motive Engineers is due to the fact that
hey very rarely take up the fights of
'thers. finding quite enough to do to attend
O their own affairs and to fight those who
,ssail them. The Knights OF Labor can
earn valuable lessons from the experience
+ that honored and successful association {
nd Grand Master Powderly has evidently
'rofited by a study OF their career.
The balance of the address is mainly of l
interest to members OF the order only, but {
o them it has unusual value. Every mem &
er of the order, indeed every workingman,
hould read it carefully. He will be the q
etter a and better citizen for it.
~---- !