The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-16
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Hon. Terence v. POwderIy Addresses n
Meeting in City Hall.


Hon. Terence V. Powderly of Scranton, Pa,
arrived in this city yesterday morning, and
met the delegates from the Maine assemblies
Of the Order OF Knights Of Labor, at their hall
in Casco Bank block, to form district as
sembly. Mr.. Powderly is the Grand Master
Workman or head Of the order in this country.
He has been mayor Of the city, and Is gentle
man Of education and influence.
At the meeting nearly all the assemblies In
the State were represented and about thirty
delegates were present. In the forenoon the
business OF organization was completed. In
the afternoon the officers were elected and IN
stalled by the Grand Workman. The order of
business cannot be reported, as it is private.
There are two assemblies of the knights OF
Labor in Portland, Dlrigo No. 205O, and Reso-
lutte No. 3Sl7 The membership Of both as-
semblies aggregates little over one hundred.
The names of officers and members are not
made public except thai each one is allowed to
disclose the fact that he himself belongs to the
order.
The Knights OF Labor have about 1000 as
semblies in the United States, aggregating
about 100000 members as stated by members
of the order In Maine there are sixteen as
semblies, two at Portland and one each at
Rockland, Biddeford, Auburn, Lewiston, Liv-
ermore Falls, Lisbon Falls, Vinalhaven,
Rockport, st. George, Belfast, Camden, Rich.
mond, Keen's Mills in Turner and Hurricane
Island. The membership in the State is about
$500.
The principles Of the order enforce the ne
cassity Of trying to prevent the aggression Of
aggregated wealth which, ualess checked, viii
pauperize the masses, and this end can only be
reached by the unifcation of the industrial
classes, to make knowledge and moral worth
the true standard of national and individual
greatness; to secure to the toilers a proper
share of the wealth they create to require the
establishment of bureau statistics; to establish
cooperative establishments; to demand the re-
serving Of public lands for the actual settlers;
making corporations pay fairly for their en-
ployes' work, giving them healthful and safe
places TO work in; to pay employees weekly in
full; abolishment OF the contract system on
national state and municipal work; prohibi-
tion of children working in factories aud mines
until over IA years OF age; equal pay to both
sexes for equal work; no prison and reforma-
tory contract work for conVicts; eight hours
days labor; and a national currency legal ten
ueE loE ucDto, WAVlOub any oaAAAnS oipulh-
tons.
In the evening Mr. Powderly addressed an
audience of about 1900 in City Hall. He has q
fine presence, tall figure, dark moustache, is
slightly bald on the temples, wears glasses, and
possesses fine voice. On the stage with him
were the delegates of the order.
The knights OF Labor he said, is a world
wide organization, and the good effected by it
is evident in every locality where it exists,
Many people, especially capitalists, have con-
demned the order because they considered it
detrimental to their interests and prey upon
the general run of business, but this idea is
grossly incorrect. The order seeks to unite
the common interests of the laboring man and
the employer, to educate and organize the
former SO that he will conduct himself man
fully and honestly towards the latter; it does
not encourage strikes. but strives to discount
enance them, preferring rather that the work.
ing nen should satisfactorily settle all griev-
ances with their employers SO that the rights
and interests of both should be protected, as
such united action alone can bring about the
desired result. The history, growth and inf1u-
ence of the order were narrated, from its origin
in Philadelphia in 1869 to the present day. Its
doors are open to all branches of trade except
the Tumseller. An illustration was given how
a few men, By allowing their appetites for
strong drink to overcome them, can cast over
whole shop full of honest working men a
shadow of disrepute. The subjects Of nation
ality, religion and politics are not allowed to
be discussed inside its doors, feature which If
not probably cared for will sooner or later
prove @ serious barrier against any organiza-
tion. Mr.. Powderly is perfectly familiar with
his subject, and at times his remarks were
eloquent.