The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-10-14
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Proceedings of the Richmond
Convention.

proceedings VI tHO NiSiliiOHu
Convention.
The tenth annual convention Of the Knights
of Labor assembled at Richmond, Va on Mon
day. the 4th OF October Gov. fitlhugh Lee
welcomed tho delegates 20 the city and State m
a neat speech Frank g. Farrell, a colorod dele
gate, introduced General Master Workman
Powderly who delivered an address, remarking
that the lash OF the slave-owner had been
stricken from his hands twenty-five years ago.
but that the new slave-owner-the monopolist
is moro dangerous than his prototype OF ante
bellum days and that IL should be the duty OF
the knights OF Labor to clutch anarchy by the
throat with one hand and strangle monopoly
with the other. After Mr.. Powderlys
hall and the regular business of the
session was begun in secret. Nearly
a Thousand delegates were In attendance at the
opening Nothing was done at the first days
session beyond the appointment OF committees
Mr. Powderly addressed the convention again,
at the second days session. urging the members
TO abstain from tho use OF strong drink while in
Richmond AS individuals, he said, he had no
right 10 dictate as ~ what they should do, but
they were not here as individuals, but as repre-
sentatives of vast constituency The eyes OF
the world were upon them while here, and their
constituency would be judged by their conduct.
The time OF the convention until p. M was oc-
cupied by the reading OF the long roll OF over
eight hundred names. The committee had
reached a decision on all but eight or ten
names and these were referred TO the conven-
ton itself warm debats on the report was
Ind but finally il was accepted and the dele
gates whose seats were in dispute were request
ed TO leave the convention. They retired quiet
w. The work OF assigning sents TO the remain
Ing delegates was completed at 80 y. m, when
an adjournment was voted
The fight over the right Of eight or ten dele
gates TO hold seats occupied tho entire attention
of the convention at its third days session.
There a very warm debate, punctuated by
bitter attacks on the Home Club The find
ings Of the Credentials Committee were APP
proved in one instance and condemned in
Mr. Morrison, OF New York. remained unde-
cided. The sensation OF the day was the
threat or Secretary Turner to n Western del
egate who had denounced the Home Club.
Turner informed the young man that he had
better be careful, as his own seat in the con-
vention was not very secure. Richmond
dispatch says: Throughout the city the prin-
cipal topic Of discussion the admission last
night.of colored Delegate Farrell to seat in
the orchestra circle in the Academy of Music
section of the auditorium in the Richmond
theater hitherto strictly guarded from the intru-
sion of all persons OF his race The general
feeling among Nrginians here is one of bitter
resentment, and they regard the delegates
from District 40 with anything but
friendly feelings IL is said that n ma
voked at the action of their visiting brothers,
and it was reported that a few knights living
here declared their intention OF abandoning the
order and joining the Law and Order League,
organized here in sworn opposition to the
Knights 1t rumored to-day that the dele
gates Of District 40 would again escort Farrell
to the theater and Mrs Powell, the proprietor,
appealed for police protection, intending to
compel Farrell 70 sit in the negroes gallery.
The Chief of Police called on Mr. Powderly
TO request that he use his influence to pre-
vent an attempt 10 force admission OF the col
ored delegate, rs it would cause trouble. Mr..
Powderly sent wCrd that nc was too busy TO see.
him, but sent Mr.. Hayes. of the Executive
Board. instead The latter said he thought
Farrell would not try to ent r tho theater, but
he would give no assurance on the subject.
The Chief and thirty five policemen and thou
sand curious people were at tho theatsr when
it opened but the colored delegate failed to put
in an appearance.
Very little was accomplished at the fourth
days session. 1t was decided TO admit the del
egation from District Assembly l26 of New
York, headed by john Morrison, with tho
ception of Mr. Risden. As the Committee on
Credentials desired further time for the con-
sderation OF the case of contesting delegations
from st Louis, the rules wero suspended and
the convention proceeded to discuss the
question of giving the support of the
order to the locked-out cotton workers OF Au-
gusta Ga, the curriers' and tanners of Peabody
and Salem, Mass, and the journeymsn plumb
ers OF New York. There are 1900 men in each
of the frst-named bodies, and about fourteen
hundred in the last 1t was decided to support
them. An extra force of police was on duty in
the evening ut both the Richmond Theater and
Academy of Music precaution against
trouble il any further attempt should be mado
by the Knights OF Labor To introduce colored
men TO seats from which they are excluded. No
attempt was made, however
Nearly the whole OF the fifth days session
was occupied IN discussing the report of the
Committee on Credentials concerning the ST.
Louis contesting delegations. The question at
issue was whether the delegates elected at a
meeting held at o'clock in the evening or at a
subsequent meeting hour later we're the
regularly elected delegates and entitled to
seats in the convention. The report presented
to the convention and accepted by it was in
favor of the delegates elected at the o'clock
meeting. Mr. Powderly's address was finally
read, and the report of the committee appointed
to investigate the case OF the Home club Of New
York was made and adopted. number OF
committees were appointed. resolution was
adopted authorizing the appointment of
special committee of five to prepare and
send n telegram to some proper person in
Providence, X. l., with regard 10 the limitations
of the right of suffrage ia that State. The COM
mittee drafted and sent the following commune
cation: "To Charles f. German, Chairman of
the Equal Rights Democratic Association.
Providence, X. l. The order OF the knights Of
Labor, in general assembly convened at Rich
mond, Va, indorse your efforts in behalf OF the
elimination OF unjust discrimination from the
constitution OF your State. and pledges its moral
support TO you until success is achieved" The
committee was also directed to send n similar
telegram TO the District of Columbia in view Of
the DISTINGUISHED condition of its inhabitants.