The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-06

tive Board. II the agrieved party is a
member OF an assembly OF the
knights OF Labor, let the same mode
OF proGt dure be gone through with,
and above I'll things, let a speedy and
impartial investigau on and an imme-
date sett 'ement be made. This plan
has worked we'll in every new case
called to my atte ntlon since the
Cleveland setsion, aud it is worthy OF
adoption.
More trouble has been caused us by
men who profess to be members OF
the Knights of Labor than by mem
bars Of trades unions. | respect the
man who, bsipg a member Of a trade
union, does everything honorable In
h S power 10 defend and perpetuate
his organic alton; bat for the knight
OF Labor who would even attempt to
subordinate cur order TO any other L
have nothing but contempt. La my
e,tina,ion there is but m place for
such a man, and that is On the Outside
of our order.
III the representatives. OF the trades
unions and OF our order come together
end both are SINCERE in their deyo ion
to their respective organizations an
honest and satisfactory solution OF
every difficulty can be arrived a.. No
saCr fee Of principle or regard for
either o gsniz sion reed attend sub
a me ting. But the man who through
fear, policy, Indifference, or a oeslre
to acquire popularity, neglects the in
terests Of the order he represents Is
Tot hoaest, and should not be allowed
TO ect in aey capacity for any society
OF worki1gmep.
With the eession Of the General AS
sembly only three d vs. away, it will
not b. possible for me t. say all that l
would like TO upon the questions that
Willcome before ug. Ny time has ben
entirely tskea IN VITA the deteil work
otthe order, end | WIS forced to neglect
tn 8 duty in ord r o give any time
or sttention to a preparation Tor the
C ming OF the General Assembly. IL
will surprise you to learn thai even
at this momenf, when every member
knows full well that we are as emblad
in gentral convention, secretaries and
members are addressing ms ct my
eff - in the expeC-at on OF receiving
an immediate reply. Letters snd
telegr ms by the nundIed will flow
ia upon me, even while the General
Assembly is in session.
The duties which called me away
from home for the or alter part Of the
year that has C esd made it impos-
sible to give proper attention to my
correspondence. TO read each lett
addressed t me would occupy every
moment OF the tw~enty-four hours,
leaving no time to answer or dictate
an answer to any O. tlem. l attended
10 all that | could, snd the others will
neye be reached. If this is neglect
of duty, then / am guilty; but | have
no apo ogy t. offer. | did all that
could do--more could not b3 expected
of ne.
l have never, during the 8 ven
years that l have served ss General
Master Workman, made a member Of
this order a suNjsct OF personal OF
public criticism or abuse. Such treat
ment has not beel accorded to me,
Whether the Intention was TO have me
reply through the pub ic press | dc
not know, but l havs made II a rule
never to speak in criticism, harsh Of
otherwise, Of a mac, except when
standing face to fee with him. And
| have as studjously Ief'aiDed from
replying to or denying attacks or &C
cu5ations against me, except in the
presence OF tlos3 who made them
When called upon to defend the order
or its principles, | Rave attempted tc
do 30.
have been accused Of Displaying q
"lack Of nerve" of want Of back
bone" and of being too weak a mar
to lead a strong movement" | have
nev,r replied to these charges, mol
will l do 50 now. l simply point bach
to a record CT seven years CT service
and ssk this question: i, while hold
ing a posi- ion such as 40 man livinl
or dead ever held before, with the full
blszs of public scru1ny shining upoI
my every action, with public opinion
as ready to condemn as to applaud,
have displayed a lack OF nerve o
bacsbone, why is it that a mil ion meI
and women Of nerve, backbone anC
common sense have gathered around
the standard which was paced in my
hands seven years ago by the founder
of the order himeelf? II | have beer
proven a weak man, why do so many
suong men support me? / dislike t
SPEAK Cf thtss matters, but l believe
that, in justice to yourselves and me
you should know of them. BY mel
who sre not Knights Of Labor / hav,
been called weak because | discoun
tenanced violence and ha9ty, i'll
advised action. have no excuse Il
offer, for il this is an offence let thu
General Assembly itself offei
the apology. My views upoi
such questions were known t
each General Assembly be
fore my e'ection as General Mate,
Workman, and in eletting me they ia.
dorsed and made themselves responsi
bic for these sentiments.
l will now speak as I,hsvs never
spoken to a 8 ssion OF the Genera
Assembly before. Representstive We.
have been instructed to vote for mt
for General Master Workman. | fee
complimented, but release every mem
Der from his obligation to vote for me
You are free 10 vote for any othel
man You choose, aud if you act in &C
cordauce with my wishes you will Sc
lect another TO fill my place. This
leave in your hands. stand ready
to serve this order in any capacity
either as General Master Workman O
in the private ranks, la voting fol
General Master Workman do not bt
guided by sentiment or sympathy, bu.
vote for the best interests of Cod
sufft ring poor and the cause of unitst
labor. II is because l believe it to br
my duty that | talk thus plaioly, anC
here facs to face with lsbur's repre-
sentative men aud women is the plac'
to say it.
1t hes been charged that between
memb RS Of the General Executive
Board aud myself serious distIrGaDcet
have taken place; that rupturei
have occurred of a serious char,
acter. Others have charged tina
the b ard constituted itself a rim,