Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-04

I'd EDITION.
Latest 1Rl8glallS to The Star.
ANIGHTs OF LABOR CONVENTION
Opening Of the Great Gatherins .,
RlchmOm0.
RICHMOND. VA, Oct 4-The tapping of NJ q.
ter workman T. v. Powderly'q gavel at 10:1s
O'Clock this morning gave the signal for the
opening OF the tenth annual convention Of tho
knights OF Labor In the armory of the LIST Vir
ginia regiment He stood alone upon q small
pine platform at the further end of the spacious
rooms, and looked out upon the faces of a thou
s sa ueiegates assembled from every part O
tnls country, representatives OF million men
TO be an open one, and in addition to the large
BODY Of delegates were as many others not o.
the order as could find seats or shared what
bers. The large room looked ike an immense
oanqueting hall, with tables formed of boards
neaI tne length of the rooms, In rows, as close
them would permit. On either side Of these
tables we're seated the delegates.
NEITHER FLAGS NOR STEAMERS
p 6Exe .ne severe simplicity Of the
Inc arcned ceiling. The only things that even
limited at q decorative purpose were lithograph
General Secretary Turner that hung on either
side of the room and large gilt frame enclosing
photographs OF members of the Joel Parker
form. The latter is the property OF the regi.
ment IN whose quarters the convention met,
and was simply permitted to remain.
gavel still re-echoed footsteps were heard ap-
preaching the entrance doors and moment
later Gen. Fttzhugh Lee, governor of Virginia,
leading to the platform escorted by William
n. Mullen, master workman OF the Richmond
District, and Tom o'Reiliy. OF the Telegraphers'
greeted with enthusiastic cheers. When the
applause bad subsidized and Mr. Mullen had
presented Gov. Lee to Mr.. Powderly, the latter
stepped forward and introduced him to the
members. When the applause that again
broke forth permitted him to do SO Gov. Lee
said:
GOV. LEES ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
feAou- Ctizens: am here this morning in re.
Spouse TO an invitation from the committee Of
the Knights of Labor of Richmond, for the pur
pose of uniting with them in meeting and
greeting citizens from other states, who come
within the gates of this common wealth to
ence which we earnestly hope will be produc
tive OF the greatest benefit TO all concerned.
The constitution under which we live
unadjusted questions were submitted to the
sword, and by the sword they have been de-
cided. We OF the south placed q different In
msnt from that held by the north, but bow
In submission TO the settlement thus decreed
What part are the representatives. OF the
bringing prosperity and peace 70 this repu6Iica
What OBJECT have they IN view? "rhe million
Of men who are In the Knights of Labor" says
Mr.. POwderly (whom am glad to see and meet
herel fare studying the science Of government
Surely We are all interested in that.
Gov. Lee advised the knights TO inscribe on
their flag the motto, Equal and exact justice
to all men, Of whatever persuasion, religious OF
political We are told, he said. that organized
capital denies labor its rights, and asks it the
'war to the knife" He reminded his hearers
that the Constitution of the United States was
an outcome OF compromises OF the most con.
misses would settle the difficulties which the
Knights are attempting to deal with.
He advised the Knights to follow the advice
clans out of the order. He said there were two
kinds of capitalists, and he would go with the
Knights land fight by your side against one OF
rascality and we will help you to ride it down.
Combat great moneyed corporations that seek
to control your legislation, federal and state, oy
bribery and corruption in order that they may
get votes in the federal halls of legislation TO
perfect and fasten upon the whole country leg
isia,ion for their benefit and d, not for the benefit
to shoulder with you in that Draw the fangs
from the money kings who seek to take
Of the great lines
their legitimate purpose by controlling them to
defeat the will Of Tree people in an attempt to
deiraud the whole country Of their constitu-
tiona right to elect rulers, and we will order TO
your support "horse, loot and Dragons" in
that. Organize against capitalists who furnish
hai W. rd nj ia
whose shoulders shall be thrown the purple
robe Of the judiciary, and we are with you in
that: You will feel the touch of our elbows,
too, In assisting to keep down any men or set OF
men who seek to depart from the s'lines marked
OUT oy our forelathers and set up in this couu-
try q strong central government to control the
to be controlled by the people.
But the governor reminded his hearers
advised them not to make war on those
who use their good fortune to alleviate the sui
ferings of mankind, and TO whiten the ocean
with The sails OF busy commerce.
We are all interested in the iaborer getting
property and becoming anxious for stable gov
ernment, SO that his aid can be required in
them down; and your organization whose aims
claim to be the maintenance of order and the
enforcement of good laws, should nave no sy m
patny with those whose aim is TO break down
and destroy those laws. The employer wall
never he allowed TO prescribe the conditions of
employment and exact service on his own
i ! d
shall take it, nor will the laborer be permitted
10 dictate his own terms OF service, to say will
work tor q certain sum and you shall employ
me-
The rights of all men are going to be protected
in this country. Employers as has been well
said, have no right 10 lock out whole shop full
OF hands to bring few unwilling ones to terms,
nor have they, In my opinion, the right to en-
gage with other employers TO fix rate for
them TO pay or compel all to remain idle, but
they have q right to exercise their just judy
ment as to what fair dealing and Justice de-
mand and what they would be willing TO give
tor the work they want, and afterwards, ii sus-
tanning q loss, to say they would not be able to
give SO much. You can have hell In your lac
tory, says Washington GLADDEN., or you can
hell you want build your business in the law
Of hell, which Is simply, ''every man for
himself and the devil take the hindmost." ** :
The people OF this country can never be Salts
fed until liberty of action is conceded to ALL
Samson overthrow the temple of the Phiiis-
tines, but it Is instructive, says wise writer
to remember what became OF samson. the
inventor of the gulotine perished by its blade
= The law will protect both capital ana
labor, and behind the statute law Is o great
lied life and which Is known as common law.
1t is q great mistake to think that all
classes are hostile to the labOring Glass; Ma
tional prosperity Is not promoted by having in
our midst . DEGRADED class OF isborers.
ferences between capital and labor, and in con-
clusion besOught his hearers not to increase the
load of sorrow and trouble with which the
world was already burdened. but to be patient
and charitable. Gov. Lee then formally well
that their. stay would prove pleasant and pr0riL-
able and their deliberations harmonious and
wise.
The large audience listened with close atten-