The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-11
A Correspondent Grossly Insulted by
One of Powderly's Representatives.
Meaning of the Long Delay in Organizing
the General Assembly-How the Knights
Spent Yesterday-The Chicago Strike.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
How Politics. Strikes and Boyc0tts Are At
fecting the Labor Organization.

fecting the Labor Organization.
| Special to the indianapolis Journal
| RICHMOND Va, Oct. 9-There is a great deal
of discussion among the Knights of Labor about
collateral Issue that is entering into the sacred
precincts of their organization with damaging
effect in many localities, and it to receive very
decisive attention during the session Of the con-
vention. 1t is politics Delegates say that there
| is not district in the country, and very few
| local assemblies, that has not candidate before
| the people for some Office. In some instances a
single assembly has two candidates for political
| offices. The result is division Of the member
ship; much ill-feeling is engendered. and in
places politics threaten to ruin the organization.
Assemblies are appealing one to the other for
financial or moral support in the approaching
elections. and attention is being drawn from
material interests to political Vaccinations.
Richmond presents vivid example. The
| knights of Labor have an independent regular
| ly'indorsed candidate for Congress. The Demo
Gratis have party candidate, and SO have the
Republicans The recent race issue has alien
| ated many white Knights from their candidate
| to the others, and the consequence is division
| in the ranks of the knights, which threatens to
break the two assemblies in this section, causing
either dsorganization or dissolution.
In Iowa, Nebraska and many of the States
both East and West politics is reported to be
the principal issue of the organization, and more
attention is given to that subject than those af-
fecting labor. The question arises in the minds
of the Knights here to make national laws for
the order. "Wilf not politics weaken or ruin our
organization and defeat all of our primary Objects
as it did the Patrons of Husbandry and other
societies with the farmers?" and this
phase of the question is to come
before the convention and will occupy a great
deal of time. 1t is stated that the master work
men in many localities have cen, and are yet
leading the labor wing of the political cam
paigns; that they are politically ambitious, and
the national officers have recommended the
Knights to work and vote only for candidates
who are known to be friends Of the organiza-
ton, which has had the effect of suggesting
the candidacy OF the majority of the Knights
who have entered already into politics. All
frankly admit that the political aspect the or
ganization has assumed is very important and
serious one. Opinion seems to be pretty we'll
divided as to the result, there being seeming
majority who hold that politics, in time will
dwarf or defeat the whole purposes and objects
of their order.
Every strike instituted properly and having
proper aims in view will be sustained :" said a
New England knight of Labor delegate to the
writer tonight. THE strike and the boycott
are our strongest weapons" continued he, ''and
we propose to use them judiciously yet with
frmness."
''Then it is not the purpose of the convention,
as predicted by some newspapers, to abandon
the boycott?" was asked.
mot by any means" promptly replied the
delegate, "and l should think that the very
ready and decisive responses made to the strikers
at Amsterdam, N. Y Peabody and Salem, Mass,
and at number of other points, would indicate
that the organization in session here means to
stand by the guns. Of course, the action of the
workmen to Chicago to negotiate for
peace was rather remarkable especially
since indication was received that
the pork packing employees were willing
TO negotiate but that is no more of sign of
strength than weakness. The Knights want to
avoid strikes wherever possible, and to reach an
amicable adjustment in every instance where
strike is instituted. We hope to avoid the ne
cessity OF resorting to extreme measures with
the Armours. The fewer strikes we have the
better, not only for the health of the organiza-
ton, but for the welfare of the members person
ally"
'Do you think the strikers in New York and
Massachusetts will win?"
''Yes, l do, especially the tanners at Salem
and Peabody, Mass. 1t must not be forgotten
that strikes not bhndly begun In nearly
every instance the employees know when the en-
nloyers can afford to or will accede to demands.
They know the condition of the markets and the
profits on products. 1t is the business of master
workmen and other officers to keep posted
The decisions of some State courts that the boy
colt is crime do not frighten the Knights
Such leagues as that in existence here in Rich
mond-the Law and Order League-will be the
cause of revolution if they attempt to either in
timidate or force the Knights A law and order
league can have but one object-to resist the
work of the knights. 1t is aggressive in its
nature. That means war. You will see. when
we have adjourned and gone to our homes that
instead of showing the white feather, we have
advanced in the direction of closing up the
ranks and making sure, doubly sure all that we
attempt; and VIII add that we will never strike
the first blow"
will the convention inGorse the strikes on
the Southwestern railroads a few months agol"
An. lit will indorse all except the destruction of
property. With that we had nothing to do 1t
is my belief that in the next strike of that mag
nitude, we will win."