New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-08-30
7HE PLOT TO KILL MR. POWDERLY
WHAT Is SAID ABOUT 1T IN THIS CITY.
MEMBER OF THE HOME CLUB SAYS THERE WAS
NO CONSPIRACY OF THE KIND.

| A MEMBER OF THE HOME CLUB SAYS THERE WAS
NO CONSPIRACY OF THE KIND.
The publication in THE TRIBONE yesterday
morning OF special dispatch from Pittsburg in regard
to the alleged plot to Kill General Master Workman
Powdery Of the Knights Of Labor, was general topic
ofconversation among the Knights In this city yester
day. There difference Of opinion whether thore
was such plot or not. The story told TRIBUNE
reporter by who claims to know all about It is,
| that in 1882, when the Duryea boycott in full
force, there was an exceedingly bitter feeling against
Mr.. Powdery and General Secretary Layton. who had
severely disciplined Local Assembly No. 1852, which
responsible for that boycott and District Assembly
No. 49, TO which the local assembly was attached, and
which by local the fight Some Of the prom
inent members Of the local and district assemblies were
expelled and later in the fight the charter OF
the district and all the locals attached to It were
Withdrawn. This bitterness 1t is alleged, led nrst
to the formation OF the wel-known Home
Club" and has been the cause Of much OF
the trouble In the order since that time.
The General Assembly OF the Knights OF Labor met In
this city In September 1892 and the bitter feeling
against Mr.. Povdery and Mr.. Layton was much In
creased by the proceedings at that meeting 1t was
found that they had already strong hold on tho
order that impossible to beat them legitimaely
although all OF stories Of corruption were circu
lated against In regard TO the Duyea and other
matters Then in their desperation the opponents OF
Mr. Powderly resolved TO get rid Of him. 1t was first
decided to put Layton out OF the way, but
afterward Powderly to be the victim. The plan was
TO select two could be thoroughly depended on
for any kind of work. bave them shadow Powderly on
one his frequent visits to New York, and when he had
left the city OF the Jersey City ferrybosts to
seize him and throw him into the Hudson Rivcr. The
plans 1t is alleged all laid, the men selected and
the time for execution OF the plot All OF the men,
however, who were bitterly opposed to Powdery, ana
considered sae did not go so far as to counte-
nance murder. and one whom the secret
had been entrusted, while he did not wish
to betray the men who were In the plot made up MS
mind TO Illustrate It. At that time Mr.. Powdery was
ure for Philadelphia he received an anonymous note
telling him that there was plot on foot to assasslnae
him, and warning him to be particularly careful whlle
crossing tho river Mr. Powderly did not put much
was crossing the river he noticed two men who
acting In a suspicious manner, ana VINO were
apparently anxious - to keep close ,r.,S to him;
Mr. Powderlys Imagination or whether the warning wa.
victim was on his guard will never be known. AT all
events the attempt was never made ana the Genera &
AZ IA the case with most of the bad things done by
the Knights OF Labor In this part OF the country this
alleged plot for the assassination OF Mr.. Powdery was
LAID at the doors OF the Home Club" and when the
committee appointed tho Cleveland General Assembly
investigate the dongs OF that club holding It's
sessions nn in h: city SSns the saESa
in regard this alleged plot. Mr.. Powdory himself
amned in regard TO his knowledge OF it. He doubted
the existence Of any such plot against his NE and saw
no reason TO connect the Home CIuD with H. there
An alleged me nDer OF the Home Club" when shown
the dispatch yesterday said That story has been
floating around for the last two or three years aud is
like many stories that float around absolutely de-
| void of any foundation. Tho Home Club has been
out of existence for over year: I was member OF
1t from the beginning: Its objects were perfectly
ton with any plot to assassnate Mr. Powdery any
body else, you may say that any such story aoso
| thugs nor assasslns."