The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-16
Mr.. POwderIy interviewed.


SCRANTON, Pa, April 10 In an in
terview this afternoon Mr. Powderly,
when asked what he thought at Mr..
Gould's reply 10 his manifesto, said /:
81 have not had much time TO think OF
1t, for this has been an unusually busy
day with me. | doo't think, however,
thSt Mr.. Gould has answered my let
ter. His reply is a bubble and an
evasion, and he fairly slops over on
some points. All there is in his COM
munication has been said before. He
evidently wants to pose before the
country in the light OF a martyr, but
the Knights OF Labor don't propose to
honor him with martyrdom. We
have invited him to carry the threats
OF prosecutions in the courts and we
are ready to meet him there. He an
nounced some time ago his intention
to commence series of prosecutions
against us and we want him to proceed
at once. We shall not be swayed
from our course by anything he
may say or do. Just as soon as posi-.
BILE we shall appoint a committee OF
the order to investigate the South
western troubles from root to branch,
all along the line from st. Louis to the
Mexican border The result of this
investigation will be published to the
world, aud il the knights Of Labor
who struck, are at fault they will not
be screened, We are anxious, how
ever, to have a Congressional com
mittee investigate the strike first,
ascertain the causes leading to 1t, then
make them public without delay. Mr..
Gould acts, or rather talks, like man
who fears he will be injured il he
should be punished legally for unlaw-
full acts of his; that would not be ua.
justly injuriug him. 1t would merely
be upholding the law. II any OF our
men are amenable let them also
suffer"
Mr.. Powderly was called to Chic 90
late tonight on important business
connected with the Knights of Labor,
but at IL 80 o'clock had not responded
to the call, and was still here.
In the interview noted Mr.. Powder.
ly further said he would not reply TO
! Mr.. Gould's letter. He would meet
him in court when he brings his suits.
He denied the statement Of Mr.. Gould
that everything they agreed to was
carried out. He claimed that Vice
President Hoxie refused to comply
with Mr.. Gould's instructions, and
would not meet committee Of the
strikers, nor would he meet a commit
tee from the men who were at work
for the company. No boycott has
been issued against Mr.. Gould or his
roads. Our General Executive Com
mittee has not considered the matter
at all, aud If the assemblies
are pat sing resolutions to boycott,
they are acting without authority from
the board. The matter is now in the
hands of the General Executive Beard,
and nothing must be done without
their consent, 30 far as the knights OF
Labor are concerned. In such exciting
times as these il is easy 10 find lawless
characters enough to commit acts OF
violence aud to resort to all sorts OF
incendiary methods, but we will not
countensnce such q thing, nor any
thing likely to lead TO violence. Mr..
Gould makes a mistake when he as
sumes that or the Knights Of Labor
intend 10 single him out and follow
him up in any way. In the event of
his suing the Knights of Labor for
damages, we are willing to meet in
4.