The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-30
THE LABOR CONVENTION.
TOPICS OF INTEREST TO WORK
INGMEN.
The Relations OF the X. OF l.. 10
WOmen-Plans for ReOrganiza-
tion Submitted.


CLEVELAND, u. May 29.-Among
the few new delegates TO the knights
of Labor General Assembly to arrive
in the city to-day was Frank M.
FogQa, who wss elected u represent
sixteen local assemblies, from Lansing,
Mich, but whose district has already
increased to Thirty assemblies. Socn
after his arrival It was whispered
among the delegates that he had q
plan for the reorganization of the
Knights OF Labor. He Faid: "The
knights Of Labor now have, as you
know, a General Assembly and some
State assemblies, notably in Iowa,
Illinois, Michigan and Massachusetts,
as well as district and local as m.
blies. propose 10 retain all the differ
ent divisions in the plan OF rsorgani-
zation, but will somewhat chanVe the
methods and manners Of establishing
and conducting them"
The Lsgislalive Committee OF the
General Assembly has teen cne OF
the hardest working committees ap-
pointed, the members having devoted
their evenings TO the duty before
them. The Committee consists of
John II. Shay Of Illinois, Chairman
d. j. O'Donohue, ot Canada; A. II.
Lowe, of Psnnsylvania; L. II. Patter.
son, of Washington, ID. c.; Jse. r.
Sover, of Massachusetts. The com
uittee will report on Monday morn
ing, and will propose important legis-
lstion on railroads, pub ic lands, edu-
cation, alien landlords and money.
A reorganization plan that has been
iavoTably discussed aud which will be
brought before the Executive Board, is
outlined by VIM. Dubois Of New
York, who takes as basis OF argu-
ment that the right Of employment
mus be estlblished 10 stop the evils
OF over-prodnction." "Mr. Carroll ID.
Wright of the Labor Commission"
says the writer, "says in round num-
bers that one million men in this coun-
try are out Of employment who would
not be idle il work could be had. That
number is about ten per cent. OF the
actual voting population OF the Coun-
try. | think t. mest this emergency
the Knights of Labor should urgs the
estltlis hmeat by constitutional
amendments, or Otherwise, in every
city or town Of 5000 or more inhabi-
tants department Of labor governed
by commissioners elected by the peo-
pie. The duty of these commissioners
would be 70 devise v avs a d ea 9
in their respective towns to give en-
Iloyment to as many Gs 10 per cent. OF
the voting population. There shall be
an annual appropriation by every city
aud town OF over 1000 inhabitants,
sufficient TO pay waess at the rate OF
81 a day for 800 days in the yBar to as
many as 10 per centfSi the voters, the
percentage TO De esi5tralJo from the
registry of the previous election. An
addition proportion shall be made to
pay salaries TO commissioners and to
purchase necessary supplies. ALI
able. bodied parsons who registered d at
the last annual election preceding the
year for which appropriations are
made, out of employment by reason
OF strike, lockout, depression in
business, or from any good reason, and
unable to find other work, may make
for employment at the De-
partment OF Labor, and shall be given
some useful work to do at the rate of
81 per day Of eight hours as long as
he may choose to remain and work
for that rate OF wages"
Copies of this plan are in the hands
of several delegates and will be
brought before the convention as coon
ss possible.
The four hours session OF the Gen
eral Assembly OF the knights OF Labor
this morning was passed in the discus
sion of the motion made Friday to
refer the report of the Executive
Board on the relations Of the order 10
trades unions b the Committee on
State of the Order. Speeches were
made by number OF leading men,
Ders, and from their tenor it is certain
hat the trad unions will not get all
hey k. IL is more than PROBABLE
.ha' the aft ir will remain unsettled.
Alta a short discussion this after.
noon the whole matter YVES referred to
he Committee, and a few minutes
ater Mrs. Sarah Perkins of this city
appeared at the door of the ante-room
% the convent ON hall and sent a note
o Mr. Powderly saying she had been
leleeated by the OHIO Woman SUI
rage Association to present an address
o the General Assembly.
A recess was taken to admit the |
ady, and Mrs. Perkins was escorted |
o the platform and introduced to the |
The Commit es on Laws second |
proposition YVES the recommendation
hat where practicable unatJ chtd
ocsl assemblies should become part Of
district assemb ieP, and transact bust
less with the General Assembly
hrough them. After a short discus
ion the proposition was adopted
The Secretary read letter from
Galveston, Tex, elatiDg to the hard
hips OF strikers who were confined in
he jail of ttas city for Constructive
ontempt," and ssking the General
Assembly TO do something to obtain
or them privileges given persons simi-
arly charged in other courts of the
United States. The follewi0g Iesolu.
ion WIS presented and unanimously
dopted:
WHEREAS, The jails at Galveston,
DALLAS and elsewhere in TeXa1 are
lie d with brother Knights suffering
Or contempt of C.uIt," IS issued by
u6g9 Pardua, be it
ResO' 'Ued by his General assembly, That
re p tiCn Grover Cleveland, Prei-
ent Of the United Slates, 10 exercise
'emency en- their benalf, as the
Jrited States Judges have ordered a
elesse of all pris nars sentenc ced dur
lg the strikes on the SoutbwesteIn
VS. EN-, and thus be thu means OF caus-
~ be ter feelings between employers
nd employees.
A committee Of two was appointed
D draft suitab e documents to be for
7arded TO the President kiIg him TO
xercise clemency toward the impIis-
ned members of lhe order.
The committee appointed on Friday
D respond to the talegia am received
ON the Toledo convention presented
he 70 lowing addrass that was unapi-