Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-10-13
BUCKLING DOWN TO WORK
THE COMMITTEES OF THE CON-
VENTtON ON A RUSH.

Every Effort Possible to be Made to
Reach Final AdjOurnment within the
Two Weeks Originally Contemplated
The New Law Governing the Mem
bership of the Executive Board.
RICHMOND, VA, Oct. 12.-The knights
of Labor Convention met at 8 O'Clock this
morning, and took hold of the business
presented with determination to push it
through, and at least make an effort to
bring the sessions to close within the
two weeks allotted as the time the con-
vention should sit. Since the adjourn
ment OF the assembly on Saturday the va
rious committees have been actively en-
gagged in considering matters referred to
them. The forenoon session was mainly
occupied in receiving reports from these
committees and taking action on them.
The sessions of the convention were o-day
interrupted by workmen taking posses
sion OF the hall to prepare ii for concert
to be given tonight by the First Massa-
| chusetts Regiment drum, fife aud bugle
| corps Tor the joint benefit of Phil Kearnev
Post, the memorial fund and the Lee
Camp Soldiers Home. The hand accom- =
panies John A. Andrews Post of the
Grand Army of the Republic, of Boston,
now here on visit.
THE CoMMITTEE ON LAW.
During the morning session the report
| OF the Committee on Law was presented.
IL recommended change Iu the consJitu-
tion by which the Executive Board shall
consist OF the General Master Workman
and six members, no two Of whom shall
be from the same State. This part of the
report was adopted. 1t was also recon-
mended that the office of the General Sec
retary and Treasurer be divided. No ac-
tion was taken on this part of the report.
Before adjournment it was stated that
amendments to the constitution were in
order, but owing ~ the lateness OF the
hour none were presented. The assembly,
at l O'Clock, adjourned until tomorrow
morning.
This afternoon and evening the commit
tees continued to work on the resolutions,
etc., waiting presentation to the assembly.
LABOR PAPERS.
There was a meeting this afternoon OF
| editors Of labor papers and other newspa-
per men who are delegates to the conven-
ton. Frank M. Foster, OF HaVerhill, was
elected chairman and Albert Pine, OF
Hartford, Conn.,, secretary. The object
of the organization is the formation of la
Dor news bureau, through which authen-
tic information with regard to labor mat
v.
Every member Of the organization will
| furnish every other member with all the
| news he obtains. This bureau will inter-
tere in no way with the establishment OF
labor journal, proposed by A. NJ. Dewey,
which, it 10 understood, q majority of the
convention favors.
MEETINGS OF THE TRADES.
Machinists, blaoksmiths, miners, shoe
makers and representatives of various
other trades and Industries in :he conven-
ti0n, also held meetings to-day TO devise
better means OF nter-communication and
cooperation. A committee of three was
appointed TO make u collection of the con-
spiracp laws Of the several States by
means OF which firms and companies en-
croach on the rights OF workingmen. The
committee is also TO collect evidence
going TO show that employers have en-
tered into conspiracies against wOrkmen,
and to institute suit against such en-
ployers under the conspiracy law in all
cases where proofs are attainable.
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.
The General Executive Board held a
meeting to-day to hear cases that have
been presented to 1t, but took no action on
any of them. 1t has more than $4,000
cases awaiting its decision. and these do
not include all that are to be brought be-
fore it. The board will meet again during
the first recess taken by the General AS
sembly. Reports have been published to
the effect that The convention can take no
action upon the various constitutional
amendments which have been proposed,
for the reason that the constitution OF the
order requires that such amendments shall
be submitted to the local assemblies at
least sixty days before their presentation
TO the General Assembly, and this has not
been done.
MR.. POwDERLY's VIEWS.
Mr.. Powderly and the mem bers of the
Executive Board saw such reports are
untrue, and that the constitution requires
that local assemblies desiring to offer
amendments shall present them to the
General Secretary or Treasurer sixty
days before the cOnvening Of the General
Assembly. The amendments now in the
hands OF the Committee on Law were
presented to the last convention at Ham
Ilton, Ont, so that instead of sixty days
notice, a years notice has been given.
This question was brought up in the con-
Vention to-day, ard the chairman ruled
and was sustained in his ruling by the
General Assembly, that the constitution
OF the order can be revised at this session.
THE CHICAGO STRIKE.
Mr.. POwderly to-day received the fol-
lowing telegram from Thomas Il. Barry, a
member of the Executive Committee sent
to Chicago to endeavor 10 settle the strike
OF the employees OF the pork packers In that
city:
The packers say they have no organization,
so must treat with them as individual COM
panies. We called on everal firms Yesterday
and all expressed desire for a settlement,
but innist on working ten hours, while the men
are firm for eight. We look for q settlement
this week.
MIR. Powderly has received almost hourly
TODAY telegrams commencing the position he
has taken In his letter on the race question
Misplaced Switch.
PIrTsBURG, Pa, Oct. 12.-Owing TO a
YoionIacad awitch an East hound fraiohf