The Portland daily press., 1886-10-21
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The Richmond Convention AdJourns
The Business Transacted.

RICHMOND, Oct. 20.-The General Assem-
bly, of the Knights of Labor began its last
session of the convention. of 1886 at Rich
mond, this morning, at 9 o'clock. The first
business taken up was the report of the
standing committee on cooperation. After
that came the reports of half dozen special
committees, one of them that from the COM
mlttee on Woman'S work. Among the rec
concentrations was one in favor of the ap-
pointment of women who should investigate
and report on all subjects connected with
female wage workers and aid in the organi-
zation of local assemblies of women employ
ed in the various industries throughout the
country.
At its afternoon session the General As
sembly renewed and emphasized the de-
mands made for legislation at previous ses-
sions on the subjects of land, money, rail-
roads, kilograms ETC., and instructed the in
coming legislative committee to press the
same at every opportunity. The executive
board was empowered to appoint, at their
discretion, one or more suitable persons on
the legislative committee to attend upon the
sessions OF Congress or any State Legislature
to further by all honorable means the OBJ
jectS of the order which are subjects OF Ma
tional or State legislation.
A resolution was referred to the incoming
legislative committee, demanding laws to
prohibit any member of either house of Con-
gress, or of any State legislature, for acting
as attorney for any person or corporation
personally interested III the legislation OF
the body in which he sits during his term of
Office as such member A proposition was
also introduced that the coinage of silver be
carried to the full extent of tie present legal
limit, and that the obligations of the United
States be paid in the same; also resolution
in favor of woman suffrage.
The committee on convict labor reported
in favor of taking strong grouBds to prevent
the competition of the labor of prisoners in
penal institutions against free labor. 1t was
adopted.
The special committee appointed to con-
slider the subject reported against the con-
tinuance of the importation Of Chinese con-
tract labor into the United States, and also
in favor of tie abrogation of the Burlingame
treaty with China. The report was adopted.
The committee on railway insurance pre-
sented report, which was adopted, protest,
ing against insurance schemes for the alleged
benefit of the employees of the Baltimore q
Ohio and Pennsylvania railroads, and calling
on all legislators, whether State or national,
who may have control over the subject to
take action against what the resolution calls
compulsory voluntary insurance"
The committee on education was continued
until the next session of the General Assem-
bly,, when it is expected they will present
systematic plan for the education of MEM
bers Of the order.
A resolution was adopted calling for a
joint meeting of the executive boards of the
District Assemblies in the New England
States to consider the questions that have
been raised as to unequal wages and unjust
regulations in shoe manufacturing trades in
New England.
By unanimous vote the general executive
board is authorized to purchase a home for
the family of the late Uriah B. Stevens, the
founder Of the order of Knights of Labor.
The home is to be purchased in Pbiladel-
phia, and the amount to be paid for it is left
to the discretion of the executive board.
1t was resolved that hats made by j. B..
Stetson of Philadelphia be ''let severely
alone by members of the order.
A resolution was passed asking mercy for
| the condemned Chicago anarchists.
All business having been disposed of, Mr..
| Powderly made brief speech, congratulate
| ing the members of the assembly upon their
| good work during the session and urging
| them to depart with determination to push
| the work of intoxicating the principles of the
order T. O'Reilly, of the telegraph district
| of New York, then sang "The Ode of the
| French Proletariat," the delegates present
| Joining in the chorus, and the general assem-
| bly, was declared adjourned sine die at $40
| O'clock D. m. The executive committee held
| a meeting after the final adjournment.
Many Of the delegates left for their homes
| this evening. Mr.. Powderly and the mem
bers of the executive board will remain until
| tomorrow, and then go to Philadelphia.