Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-06-05
PoWDERLY AND THE K. OF L.
outvoted by the Rule or Ruin Men New
York Criticism.

outvoted by the Rule or Ruin Men New
York Criticism.
Nkw York June 4.-The leading dailies
comment at considerable length upon the
action taken By the General Assembly ol
the knights of Labor, which has just closed
its sessions at Cleveland The Sun ssys:
so it seems that power superior to
Mr. Powderly's is rising among the knights
OF Labor. His idea has been to keep the
organization in harmony with The society
of the day, in other words to let it grow
up with the country but now that he has
been outvoted, On attempt at conducting
the order on more radical plan may be
looked for. What will be the effect OF this
new departure? Judging from what We
have already seen it cannot fail TO be dis
astrous
The Tribune says 1T is the opinion Of
many of the wisest members OF the knights
of Lsbor that the election of extremists
and opponents of Grand Master PoWderly
to the Executive Committee sounds the
death knell of an organization from which
they had hoped great results. The most
obvious effect OF the election will be to in
tensify the sntsgonism between the Knights
of Labor and the trades unions. Another
effect OF these elections is to destroy what
ever was accomplished by the decision for
bidding strikes or boycotts without consent
Of the Executive Committee IL is true,
the force OF this judicious decision had
been already lessened By an amendment con
ceding to the district Assemblies the power
10 act for themselves in cases OF emergen-
cy,' aud it is lot difficult to fcresee that
cases of emergency will often arise. But
with the Executive Committee in full con-
troll of those who favor violent measures
there is little room to hope that the con
duct of the organization will in this respect
be improved. Mr.. Powderly g comments
upon the elections, which were given to
the press on Wednesday night, do not indl-
cate much confidence that his principles
will ultimately prevail. The question now
is whether he will consent 10 retain his
position, if the organization is to be cou-
trolled oy men hostile to his princi Piles"
The Times says: Mr.. PoSderly went to
the convention confident ofsuccess in his
plans, but, though be is not willing to ad-
nit it, it is plain that he has been over.
ruled and defeated by men whose policy Is
10 rule or ruin. While the convention waR
in session disclosures were made which
showed that certain men, injected with
socislisIic notions, Who had formed what
was called the Home Clnb in this city,
were intent on overthrowing the conserys'
tive policy of Powderly and controlling the
order fer their own 8graudizement. Not
outstanding the exposure OF their ctarac
ter and their plsns, they practically deter
mined the final action of the convention
The result is perhaps, one that
was to be looked for, but never,he'
lees it is ore to be deplored. 1t only
shows that the labor forces Of this country
are not ia condition TO be organized on
rational basis aud CONDUCTED with
prudence for the attainment OF Legitimate
ends The effort brings ihto activity 60
much self seeking ambition and so many
of the bsser passions and motives Of men
that dissension and weakness ore the in.
evitsSle result. The consequence ia that
what is called organization seems likely to
fall into the chao'ic clements out Of which
it was originally formed and by it's own in
tprnsl outlets 10 destroy its own power
When wcrkipgmen's examinations become
opposed 10 each o'her and divided among
themselves they cease TO be q. power"
The World says "Mr Powderly eeem:
to have lost lia canmaud of the Knights
of Labor. He is entirely too conservative
10 suit the hot heads and he has hesn Prac
tically bowled out. So much the worse fol
- Vn;obto NJ | ahor"