New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-29
DANGERS OF THE KNIGHTS.
A GREAT STRUCTURE THAT MAY FALL.
WHAT LEADERS SAY ABOUT THE PROPOSED SPECIAL
sFSSIOy AND MR. pOWDFRJY

WHAT LEADERS SAY ABOUT THE PROPOSED SPECIAL
SESSION AND MR. PowDERLY.
There is little doubt that General Master Workman
Powderly will be called on in short time TO issue call
for special session OF the General Assembly OF the
Knights and that the call will be signed by district
sembes from at least ten States The States mentioned
by those who interested in the movement Illinois,
Indiana Michigan, Missouri Texas, Colorado, New York,
New-Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. In all
Of these States there districts which are
in almost open revolt against the General Ex-
ecutive Board. The grounds which the special
will be asked for that the election Of
officers at Richmond illegal and that a matter OF
fact General Master Workman Powderly and Messrs
Bailey. Hayes and Barry. of the General Executive
Board only hold their offices by virtue Of the fact that
their successors have not been legally elected; that
Messrs Mcguire Carlton and Aylesworth, the new mem
bers of the Executive Board. have right TO hold
their offices draw their pay, and that Secretary Litch
has right TO his office or his pay; that the
increase of illegal and therefore void and
that all of the General Executive Board at pres
ent constituted are Illegal While this will be the nom
nal reason for the call is understood that there
Others which threaten the very existence OF the order
There ia little doubt that the call will be asked for
provided by the constitution, yet there is grave uncer
tanty as whether Mr. Powderly will issue it, promi-
member of the order said yesterday: "Thomas b.
Mcguire is really the moving spirit in the order
and, If he says there Will be no
issued, no matter what the constitution says. II he
thinks his position is strong enough believe there Will be
special session If he has any doubt of It, don't think
Among wellinformed men in labor circles here there
be strong feeling that split IN the order can
be averied. They say that If special session is
called fight will occur which Will certainly cause
split, and II the special session Is not called the dis
a meeting, withdraw from the Knights and
form another organization with the same
principles In fact. il is good authority tnat
the locals which have been suspended by Ds rict AS
sembly 30 40 have about decided form silr
the General Executive Board, whIch they expect Will
knights OF Labor and form the nucleus for the
ganization. Overtures were made 10 the Montauk Dis
district simply INTENDED look after Long Island. IL
reIored yesterday that trade district ~ this city
bring the issue 20 head TINS denied emphati
ca.ly by all odcer OF the district spoken or
in the nght against District No 40 said: We consider
side OF the Knights OF Labor Tor the res
splii in tas knights avoided. except by throw
ing overheard Of the uariyrs to the cause OF
Ike gigantic pyramid standing on us apex AS long as
the balance preserved. 1t Will stand hut when tho
The balance almost destroyed uow. We DO not avor
special session. because 1t Will lie constituted the same
Richmond ana can't be expected to do any
better. II will he a needless expense"
member of of the strongest trade districts in the
city sad There just three things any one OF which
may happen. Tue order to pieces entrely--ths
is xorst that can haprcn the trade districts may
Labor; or reorganization may ne had which Will put
tie orGer proper basis. II the worst comes the
performed hy Knights Of Labor will lot De ertrely
thrown away for will have the solid foundation on
If It is decided to hold a special session 1t will in
all probability be held IN the latter part or February
40 laugh at the idea of special session aud ray may
the entire trouble is caused by lot or soreheads
VINO were at the defeat OF their plans at tie
Richmond Assembly They say there is no split III the
order is there any necessity Tor special session.