Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-27


dispatch to the Sun gives long interview
with Master Workman Powderly, who
says: q feel that if could have an inter
view with Gould himselfin relation to the
present trouble it could be settled in very
short time. am convinced that the real
condition along the line has been studi.
ously and purposely kept from Gould
Furthermore, at the time of our interview
on the Wabash affair, he expressed him.
self SO favorably to labor organizations
that am inclined TO think he will not re.
fuse to treat with US in a spirit of fairness
All his own expressions then made to me
on the subject of labor lead to this conclu.
sion. 1t is hard to tell where the matter
will end, unless a settlement is effected
soon. This battle is tor right and Justice
on the part of the men, and mere recogni.
ton under the name of the KNIGHTS OF
Labor Is secondary consideration. y
Powderly said that the time was not far
distant when strike of any magnitude
would be impossible in this country, and
the Knights of Labor would be instru-
mental in bringing about such condition
of affairs.
THE GRAND MASTER SPEAKS
ST. LOUIS, March 26th-Grand Master
workman Powderlv has issued secret
circular to the Noble Order of the Knights
oil Labor In America, which has just been
made public. Powderly instructs the Sec
retary of each Assembly to call a full meet
ing and read before it the sentiments which
follow. The address opens with an order
TO the Assembly to cease initiating new
members until the relations of capital and
labor shall become less strained than at
the present time; and continues TO at
tempt to win concessions or gains with our
present raw, undisciplined membership,
would be like hurting an unorganized mob
against well-drilled regular army. Ii is
not fair to order Assemblies to bring in
new members, pick up their quarrels as
soon as organized, and have them expect pc
cuniary aid from those who helped build
the Order up for noble purposes" After
dwelling at some length upon the inadvisa-
blllty OF taking in new members at present,
the address continues: We must not
fritter away our strength and miss the
opportunity OF the present success against
capital by rushing into a useless strike"
Powderly then cautioned the Assemblies
against receiving too many into their ranks.
and warns the Knights that politicians are
planning night and day how to catch the
knights for the advantages of party, and
adds that to use the name of the Order in
political contest is criminal, and must
not occur again. Referring to the eight
hour movement, the circular SAYS: As
semblies of Knights must not strike for the
eight-hour system on May 1st, under the
impression that they are obeying an order
from headquarters, for such was not and
Will NOT be given. Out OF sixty million of
people in the United States and Canada.
our Order has possibly three million. Can
we mold the sentiments Of millions in
favor of short-hour plan before Nav lst :?
1t Is nonsense to think of it?'' In con-
ciusion the Master Workman says:
write this circular to lay before the Order
tne exact condition Of things l am neither
physically nor mentally capable of performing
the work required of me. | am willing to do nv
part, but not to be asked TO maintain false no.
sltlon before the W rid any longer. One of two
Things must take place: Eitherth Local and Dis
trlct Assemblies of the Order must obey its laws
or must be permitted to gn from a vocation
whlch obliges me to play one part before the
public and another 10 our members | saw 70
the world that the Knights of Labor do not an
prove OF nor encourage strikes. In one dav dis
patches came to me from Troy, Manchester
Shlcago CINCINNATI. Lynchburg, Springfield and
montreal. 1t Is impossible for human nature to
stand the strain any longer ! must have the
assistance of the Order or my most earnest efforts
Will fail. VIII have it, If so, strikes must be
avoided, boycotts must be avoided and those
who boast must be checked by their As emblies
No move must be made until the Court of last
resort be appealed to, Threats of violence must
not be made politicians must be huShpd nm or
driven out, and obedience 10 the laws of Knight
hood must have preference over these of any
other order. 1t these things are done the next
nVe years WIZ witness the complete emancipa
uon OF mankind from the curse of monopoly
IN our members we require secrecy, obedience
assistance, patience and courage If with these
aids, you strengthen my hands, will continue
IN this way, then select man better qualified
TO obey your will, and l VIII retire in his favor
THE CIRCULAR APPROVED.
PHILADELPHIA, March 26ih. - General
Secretary Turner, of the Executive Board
knights OF Labor, this afternoon, in an in
terview, indorsed the sentiments contained
IN the secret circular telegraphed from St.
Louis to-day, in which the Assemblies are
advised TO cease admitting new members.
and counseling moderation by the present
strikers. This circular, he said, was not
intended for publication, but now that it
had reached the public, he feels satisfied
that the orders therein contained will be
sanctioned by the friends of the order.
PROPOSITION TO BE SUBMITTED To GOULD.
New YORK, March 26th.-Grand Master
Workman Powderly arrived here tonight.
and held consultation with other mem
bers of the General Executive Board. eve
are in favor of ending the matter now -
said he, and Will submit this proposition
to Mr.. Gould tomorrow viz: Let him an
point committee of three, and we will
appoint similar committee. Then let these
gentlemen select seventh, they to investi-
gate the whole affair. and make recon-
mendations. and we will agree 10 abide bv
their decision. We will not ask for the re-
tention OF any man who has been guilty of
an act of violence to either person or prop
erty, for we are not organized to promote
or shield wrong doing"
srRIKE OF swITcHMEY.
ST. LOUIS, March 26.h.-When the usual
hour arrived this morning for the duty of
a force of switchmen TO relieve the night
men at the Wabash yards. in this city. no
men appeared, and a few minutes later
the announcement was made that the en-
tire force had struck. These men. il is
understood, were ordered out by the Ex-
ecvtive Committee, in support of the posi-
ton taken by the striking Missouri Pacific
employees.
THE SITUATION SERIOUS IN EAST ST. LOUIS.
The situation at East St Louis is becom
ing serious. The yardmasters of the
different rOauS nave been attempting ali
morning to make up and start out freight
train. but have in every instance, been pre-
vented from carrying out their designs by
stricking switehmeD, who are using all
means at their disposal TO make the freight
blockade in that city complete. Coupling
pins are removed from their positions and
trains become separated, switches are re-
yersed and trains run upon wrong tracks.
In some instances yardmasters have been
forcibly restrained in their efforts toresume
freight traffic. No serious trouble has vet
occurred, but it is understood that officers
OF the law will be called upon to-day To
preserve order and protect property, and a
conflict between them and the strikers is
expected to occur.
FREIGHT TRAIN STARTED.
Officials of the Missouri Pacific Railway
shis morning with the aid of large force
OF police. succeeded in Starting from this
city a freight sain consisting of eighteen
cas-.
SENSIBLE ADVICE TO STRIKERS
A committee of three of the striking
Wabash knights of Labor called upon the
Chairman of their Executive Committee
this afternoon and informed him that they
had struck, and requested him to inform
them as TO the proper course to pursue.
The Chairman informed them that it was
his opinion that the Wabash men had no
inst cause for striking. and advised them to