The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-04-23
PoWDERLY,S APPEAL.
knights of Labor Called Upon to Contrib
ute to the Assistance of Striking Breth-
ren-How 1t Is Proposed to Distribute
the Money Which Viii Come In.

knights of Labor Called Upon to Contrib
ute to the Assistance of Striking Breth-
ren-How 1t Is Proposed to Distribute
the Money Which Viii Come In.
PHILADELPHIA, April 16.-General Mas
ter Workman Powderly, of the Knights OF
Labor, yesterday addressed the following
circular to members OF the order;
"NoBIB ORDER OF THE KNIGHTS or LABOR
OF AMERIcA-T'o the Order Whelerer Found
Greeting: You have all read of the
great strike on the Gould lines of railway
in the Southwestj its history is being writ
ten day by day. 1t makes bub little differ
ence now whether the men Of the South
west acted wisely or not. Let US pass that
part of the affair over, for it, too, has
passed into history.
''The general executive board of the
order attempted to settle the trouble and
restore harmony. Agreements were made
with them by Jay Gould, but when the
board reached ST. Louis Mr.. Hoxie would
not treat with them. Not that alone, but
he positively refused to employ Knightsot
Labor whether they had been active in the
strike or not. 1t now becomes the part OF
every man and woman i'll the order to
take up the fight of the inen of the South
west and assist them to the fill extent OF
their means Tney have been Idle for
nearly two months. They have had a most
trying ordeal to go through, and are in
need of funds. 1t requires no eloquence or
rhetorc to plead the cause of these
suffering people. They require aid, and it
becomes our duty to extend that aid as
quickly as it is POSSIBLE for us to do so.
Send every dollar you can spare to the gen.
eral secretary and treasurer, who will at
once forward it to the men at st. Louis for
distribution. Remember the men out
there do not ask for charity; they do not
ask at all. It is your executive board that
makes the appeal in their behalf. He who
gives quickly gives doubly. Act at once.
Another appeal may be sent to you, and
we ask of you to prepare for it now. We
must be judged by our actions in this mat
ter. Do not pass resolutions condemn
ing capital for we are not fight
ing capital. Do not antagoniZe the contest
we have before us. Let us make friend OF
every man who has suffered through mo-
hopoly. This battle against the man who
represents monopoly tf1ust be fought out
manfully. Watch his actions everywhere,
| Keep an eye on the doings of Congress.
Urge the committee that has been appoint
ed to do its duty fearlessly. Strengthen
their hands. Give them every aid.
= In conclusion, let us again ask that you
send at once every dollar you can at pres
ei1t false TO Uphold the fiieh who are now
out along the lines Of the Southwest sys-
tenn of Gould's railways. Do not delay,
and, at the same time, make ready to
bring the whole power of the order to
bear upon the man who wrecks railroads,
homes, fortunes and lives in his greed for
gold Let us determine to have ii
go into history that the men of 1886 struck
as grandly for liberty as the men of 1776.
The men of 1776 broke the power of mon
afchy and dgthroned the King. The power
which they wrested from the hands of d
King was not so great DIS that which is now
held by one man, who, through the corrupt
| use of money, has brought manufacture
er and workman to ruin. The power
of the King has Tassed away. The power
of wealth is passing away, and it must now
be determined whether man shall rule or
whether illegitimate wealth shall rule
"T. V. POwDERLY,
General Master Workman"
A portion of Mr.. Powderly's letter will GO
out by circular, but twas not given to the
press. tis addressed to the Knights, and
| Is as follows:
snake every preparation to place 81 J00.
| 900 where it can be used iii this fight Will
Jay Gould Neither enter into any new
| quafrels amy where. Keep oiit of disputes
and trouble if possible. Turn every energy
| and effort toward the contamination of the
present question. Jay Gould is said tc
| have violated the laws of this lanil in 8
a thousand places. Let us see to it that he
| is punished for it. Do not rush into print
and say what you intend to do; keep still
| as death. If we mean to act we can do SC
| without telling the world of it.n
The letter of General Master Workman
Powderly to Secretary Turner asking fef
contributions from the order in general
thu Tghout the country in aid OF the
strikers is said by the executive committee
| to be The result of q unanimous demand
| upon him by the assemblies OF the order to
place the strike upon broad, bas s--the
support of the entire organizatic u-by
| formal circular.
Mr.. Hayes is OF the opinion that $780,
| 600 will be raised in this way, which will
every cent be spent if necessary in order to
carry on the fight. The money will be
tised iii tie payment OF rent, and the lmr-
chase of food and clothing for the strikers
Workmen who are not Knights of Lab pr
| but who are out on strike will be furnished
with funds and treated the same as though
members of the organization.