Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-10-06
AT RICHMOND.
No Work Of Importance Accomplished
Yesterday in the National Con-
Vention Of Knights.
Grand Master PowderIy Gives Some
Coed Adrlce-The Committees
Getting Down 10 Work.
The Coicred Question brought UP Again
Both Races ca Attend Bail Given
by Tho Local Knights.
AKOoNn nAY,s sEssIoN

RICHMOND, VA, Oct. 5.--General
Worthy Foreman Griffith called the second
session OF the Knights OF Labor conyen-
ton to order at o'clock this morning, 10
the absence Of Mr.. Powderly, who was
detained 1T his hotel by his business. 1t
was announced that the committee
on credentials was not ready
TO report and nothing could be
done until their report was received.
While waiting, speeches were made by
delegates TO aid In idling the time away.
Shortly after 10 O'Clock powderly arrived
aud was presented by 0'Donnell with q
gavel made from the wood Of an orange
tree that grew on the spot where Gen.
Pakeuham was killed at the battle OF New
Orleans. The presentation was made
on behalf OF the New Orleans Knights.
IL was learned that the committee on
credentials would not be ready to report
till p. m, and the convention then adj
journed till that hour. Before the dele.
gates left the ball Mr.. Powderly strongly
urged them TO avoid the use of strong
drink while In Richmond. As individu-
ais, he said he had no right to dictate to
themaRs To what they should do, but
they were not here as individuals,
but as representatives OF vast constit.
uency. The eyes OF the world were upon
them while here, and that their Icons,ltu
ency would be judged by their conduct.
The convention went into session at
O'Clock. The report OF the committee on
credentials was then ready. II was very
long, and Secretary Turner said II would
take four hours TO read It,
a KNoTTY PROBLEM.
The race Issue raised when the col
ored delegate, Ferret, was refused admit
lance 70 hotel, and his white brother
delegates of district 40 Of New York re-
fused to go there without him, has ap-
peared In another shape. The knights OF
Richmond have arranged for parade,
tournament and ball next Monday In hon
or Of the visiting knights, and a commit
tee of arrangements was appoint
ed, when the Ferret question arose.
Il became a problem how the parade aud
ball could be given without bringing up
the question In a new and more yexa-
tious shape. 1t Is contrary 20 local Gus
toms and preiudices to have whites and
blacks e4ssoo table together II at the
Knight OF Labor bali both DO admitted TO
the same hall, many white Knights
here would refuse to attend; IL In
especially after Powderly's re-declaration
OF the principles of equality OF races to-
day, might refuse invitations. Another
complication springs from the fact that
w II. Mullen, master workman Of the
Richmond district, Is candidate for
congress, and his influence is strong with
the committee. II 1t Is decided to admit
the whites and negroes 10 the same hall
many Of his white supporters will
abandon him. The committee on
arrangements held meeting
last evening, and at an early hour this
morning they decided after an exhaustive
discussion, TO let the troublesome ques-
ton OF the commingling OF the white and
colored people at the ball settle Itself.
II has been arranged to have two dancing
pavIlions at the State Fair grounds Chair
man Lynch said this afternoon that II was
not the intention to assign one to the
whites and the other TO the colored
knights. This order recognized no
such distinction, but at the same
time the feeling here in regard to the
social intercourse Of the races was 80
well understood that they anticipated no
trouble ON that score. IT was expected
OF course that the colored people would
prefer to associate with their own people.
II, however, colored Knight and lady
should chance to dance with the white
people in the other pavilion, he knew OF
no intention TO prevent them.
Chairman Lynch, when asked II the
colored guests should present themselves
at the table where whites were seated at
the banquet what would be done, replied
that he expected no trouble In that
way, but he did not suppose they
would be prohibited from doing
so. He intended speaking TO
Mr.. Powderly on the subject In day or
so. He repeated that he expected no
trouble. The funds for the entertain
ment were raised by the local assemblies
OF Richmond, colored and whites. The
Knights have separate assemblies
and the colored knights have coz
tributed something more than the
whites TO the entertainment fund. |
The arrangements for Monday next in
clude parade Of the local assemblies and
visiting knights, Mr.. powderly, the exec
utive committee and invited guests In
carriggcs. Speeches Will be made by
Senator-elect Daniels, Gov. Lee, MIR.