The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1886-11-10
TRENTON KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Wonderful Growth of the Order in
Trenton.


The Wonderful Growth OF the Order in
Trenton.
In 20 other city of the State, south of
Newark, have the Knights of Labor
firmer foothold than in Trenton. The
growth of the Order here within the past
four years is a marvel to all observers.
From mere handful in 1889 the organ
ization has developed into present mem
bership Of fully 5000, and that number
Includes potters, ironworkers and repre-
sentatives of nearly every other branch Of
trade. 1t is pleasant to note, too, that
none but beneficent effects for both en-
ployer aud employed have attended the
Orders wonderful progress in Trenton
TIE facts of the establishment and growth
of the organization here has never hither-
to been told in print.
AS far back as 1878 the bricklayers and
stoneeutters formed an Assembly known
as No. 80, but it lasted less than a year.
1t was organized by Sinnexou, of Phila-
delphia, ono of the four original mem
bers of the Order. No further attempt to
organize labor was made till 1879, when
No. 1869, composed of potters aud rail-
road employees, came into being. 1t had
eighty members, but it, too, died in its
infancy. In 1882 it was revived, and it is
Low q vigorous organization. The fol-
lowing year No. 2,1s5 was organized by
potteIs exclusively, and from that time
the Order dates the beginn ing of its pros
porous career. Assembly after Assembly
was formed until there are to-day over a
score of them. Eight of these are COM
| posed of persons employed in Trenton's
numerous potteries. Only small frac-
| ton of the whole number of potters in
the city stands aloof from the organiza-
ton. In the other Assemblies are iron
workers (of whom there are 5000 10
frenton), shoemakers, rubber workers,
cigar.makers, locksmiths, sawmakers,
WOODEN workers, brickmakers, teamsters,
railroad employees and representatives of
various other branches of industry. One
of the pleasing features is the recent re-
organization of old $50, the pioneer AS
sembly of the city. In the Spring of
grown SO large that a District Assembly
| mo. 0O) was formed, to embrace all the
local Assemblies of Mercer county and
neighborhood except the eight potters'
Assemblies, which have District Trade
Assembly (No 1907 of their own. This
leaves sixteen locals in District 90, in
Guiding one at Bordentown and one at
Lambertville, which are out-growths of
the Trenton Order.
"The spirit of the Order in this vicini-
ty, y said prominent Knight, has been
directed almost exclusively to industry,
and not political questions"
This probably accounts for the pros
porous and satisfactory career of the Or
der here and for the favorable opinion en-
tertained of the organization by all classes
of the community.
Nothing could better illustrate the
popularity of the Order than the success
which attended their grand bazaar of
year ago. A net profit of $500 was
realized and this formed the nucleus of a
fund for the purchase Of site and cree
tion thereon of Labor Temple. Last
| Summer the fund was swelled by So, 500
more, cleared at the monster labor pic
mic. A site for the new hall was soon de-
cided upon and purchased. The site,
while not SO central as some of the East
Trenton Knights would like, is located in
the Third Ward, delightful and health
full section of Trenton. AT present the
lot Is occupied by disused hotel, which,
when further funds are obtained, will be
demolished to make room for Temple of
Labor that will be an honor to the Order
and notable improvement for Trenton.
So far the education of the Knights ia
literary work is branch rather neglect
ed, although at the State Labor Bureau,
Chief Bishop has valuable little library
of standard labor works that many of the
Knights draw upon for healthy mental
| nourishment. Chief gladly loans tho
books to responsible parties. In Labor
Temple, too, arrangements have been
made for the fitting up of fine library.
| A feature of the Order in Trenton is that
several scores Of the members are women.
They have no separate Assemblies, but
join those of the men. The women, as a
rule, work either in the potteries or the
wooden mills. They are ardent advocates
of the Order, and on such occasions as the
bazaar and picnic their services are be-
yond calculation. Several colored men
also are members of the Order Trenton
Daily Emporium.