Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1886-10-07
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Annual Convention ut Richmond,
Virginia.
Address of welcome by Gov. Lce.-The
Work That Will Come Before
the Convention.

RICHMOND, Oct 5-When the convention
of Knights of Labor opened yesterday, Gov.
Lee made an address of welcome in which he
cited that 1t had been claimed there was an
Irrepressble conflict pending between capital
and labor. He said all good men would sup
port the present movement if it fought against
Incorporated rascality and combatted grea'
money corporations that sought to control
legislation by bribery and corruption. He de-
clared that all capital was not employed for
such vicious uses and that any difference be-
tween workmen and employer would be settled
as the great constitution had been drafted by
Cancellation and fair compromise.
1.-THE session to-day think will be consum-
ed by organization" said Mr.. Powderly. "The
| report of the committee on credentials" he
continued, twill occasion discussion, as 1t in
varably does, and will follow the minor de-
tails preliminary to the complete organization.
1t is possible, but not probable, that 1 will de-
liver my annual address after we organize to-
day. 1t is more than likely that
it will be delivered on Wednesday"
Other officers say the annual address will oc-
cupy so much of one day in its delivery that
little Of anything else can be done. This puts
the positive work off till Thursday morning.
The Knights will undoubtedly remain in ses-
sion more than two weeks. Most of the dele
gates have made up their minds to remain a
fortnight, and most of the delegates in pur-
chasing railroad trans portation were careful
to see that 1t was not limited to less than
thirty days time, while some arranged to
have their tickets extended should they be de-
| tanned here longer than the end Of the present
month.
There are many questions Of great magni-
tude to be disposed of at this convention
This is by far the most important labor meet
ing eyer held In this country. To the surprise
of all the officers and to the five hundred who
are present the attendance of go was not an
ticpated. AS the representation is in proper
ton to membership, it will be seen that the
growth of the order has been beyond the con-
ception of its chief promoters and workers.
The first of the I'M ortant subjects on hand
will be the revision of the constitution. Tue
| delegation Of authority to the grand master
workman in times provocative of strikes and
question of strikes and boycotts are among
| the most difficult matters to be considered.
Nothing definite seems tie be in mind res
pecting either of these questions, although
| there is an ocean of crude ideas ahoat,
| and great deal of discussion will
| naturally follow when these matters
| are reached in the convention. The eX-
ecutve board, it is reported, has scheme for
decreasing representation 10 tIc annual con-
vention, but its members refuse to disclose the
nature of the proposition. 1t is generally
supposed to be the amalgamation of districts
into state and territorial districts. Instead OF
! 800 delegates, there is demand for not over
100, while many believe 60 or 20 will better
represent the interests of the ORDER and that
work will be facilitated and made more salts
factory.
The seats of the district delegations were
drawn at an informal meeting yesterday, the
highest number drawn indicating that the
number of districts represented was 1856. Not
over ope-fourth of the delegates were present
at the seat drawing and much of it was done
by proxy.
1t is r, marked by those who have attended
former conventions that never has there been
such determination or such universal wish to
adjust what is right as now. All feel that the
organ cation has grown 20 such proportions
that wisdom must be counselled. There is as
yet no canvssing for any Of the offices. 1t is
understood the old officers expect reelection,
and, as a rule, this is conceded. While the
policy of Mr.. Powderly has been too conserva-
tive to command the pleasure of many of the
Knights it is plain that it would require a phe-
nomenal change Of sentiment to defeat his re-
election. A few names are vaguely mentioned
for places on the executive board in the event
that it is enlarged, as has been proposed, but
there is nothing like formal announcement
of candidates.