Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-06-11
A,<..r was ordered sen. :. sAc ANAL


gamated association of iron and steel
workers. The contents and character OF
the letter are withheld until il has been
received by the amalgamated association,
nothing but the best of good will and the
spirit of fraternity. IL was resolved 10
sppoint ct once and send to Washington
u special committee of three to look after
the labor leg slation now pending before
congress The committee on legislation
presented the following proposition in the
nature of demands of congress, which
were ratified by the convention:
/. That patents for the public lands be
given to actual settlers only. 2 That all
land owned by any individual or corpora
ton in excess of 100 acres, whether i'm
proved or unimproved, shall be taxed to
the full value of improved land. 3. Call
ing for the immediate forfeiture of ali
lands where the conditions of the grant
have not been complied with. 4. Asking
that patents on lands where the conditions
have been compiled with be issued forth
with, so that taxation may take effect al
once. D. Calling for the removal of fences
from the public domain. q. That after
1890 the government shall, by purchase and
right of eminent domain, obtain possession
of all lands now held by aliens. Z. That
after 1886 aliens shall be prohibited from ac
quiring title TO lands. s Asking the
abolition of all laws requiring n property
qualification for voters. 9. Requesting
the passage of "A law levying graduated in
come tax. 10. Protesting against the cut
ting down of the Appropriation for the
labor bureau. II. Asking for the passage
of the bills approved by the congressional
labor committee. T.. Asking for the
passage Of law prohibiting the employ
ment in mines, shops, factories, etc, OF
minors for more than eight hours per day.
The assembly passed n resolution that
they would hold congressman responsible
at the ballot box who ignored their de-
mands.
During the afternoon session the legis-
lative committee reported q demand that
minors be prohibited from working over
eight hours per day in mines. in manufac-
tories, etc. The rest of the afternoon was
devoted to discussion OF the report OF
the committee on strikes and boycotts
recommending that the executive board
should have absolute control OF oil such
business. The convention took recess
until morning with a motion to adopt the
report still pending.
The knights OF labor convention was
opened at O'Clock on the morning Of
June LIST. the first business being the adop-
ton of the amended report of the commit
tee on strikes and boycotts. The execu-
tive board must approve all future strikes.
Except III certain grievous cases where i'm
mediate action is necessary strike or
boycott will not be allowed without their
approval An address to the woman's
Christian union was adopted, after which
the committee on legislation presented a
petition in which it is represented that the
wealth of the country has been amassed
by those who do not labor, and the com
mercial value of money Is vari-
able, ranging from to 20 per cent.
in different parts Of the
country. and its uncertainty causes dis
trust in all commercial transactions. The
supply of money is iii the control of ma
tiOnal banking associations, and through
their manipulatiOns people suffer many
misfortunes and grievances. The right TO
coin and issue money should be vested in
the highest power Of the nation The pc.
tition prays congress TO fix the measure OF
value by establishing a uniform rate of IL
terest: to repeal all laws allowing private
corporations to issue money, and in their
stead establish public loan offices at con
venent places; that the government lend
money at a fixed rate of interest on good
security, and that the profits arising there
from be converted into the treasury to
pay the public debts, and that such loan
offices be made repositories for the savings
of the people.
A resolution that the general master
workman select the most available sena-
tor and congressman to present the petit
ton was passed. Representative Low
then introduced a bill to be recommended
to congress, establishing the rate of in
terest at per cent. per annum.
The entire afternoon was taken up IN
discussing the report Of the committee on
the state of order, to whom were referred
the troubles with the trades unions. The
report and discussion were not gwen TO
the press. but it was learned that action
had been taken in the matter,
Wednesday. the I'd, three assistants of
the executive board of the Knights OF
Labor were elected as follows:
.Jprpp1ioh & Ouiuu n hook hinder OF
New York; William II. Mullen, printer
from Richmond, Va, and Hugh Kava-
naugh. a shoemaker of Cincinnati. The
home club so called of New York, are
credited with the election of Quinn. The
other members will be chosen before the
adjournment of the convention.
Some delegates made serious charges
against some OF the officials of the order
aud declared that General Master Work
man Powderly was scheming for political
honors They said Powderly wanted to be
governor of Pennsylvania and that he was
conducting the order on Roman Catholic
principles. Mr. Powderly tonight gave
the following statement To the press:
Il know nothing about the home club,
nor do know anything concerning its
aims or methods. | have heard that It's
purpose was to create fund to build
home for aged members of the order. Not
being member OF it | cannot say whether
That have been opposed as general master
workman by those who are
said TO be members of it it is true
but that was years ago, and their oppo-
stion was not a secret to me. They told me
plainly and emphatically that they would
oppose me If such an institution
existed il must have been exposed By u
member of the club. If it was oath-bound
to secrecy the man who exposed II Is n
perjurer. / is not exerting an influence
in this convention, and the columns of
trash that have been published concerning
il was false. 1t was not opposed 10y any
member, clique, ring, or club when was
elected general master workman for the
seventh time. The same men who were in
attendance at Hamilton are in attendance
at this special session. If they were aim
ing at Powderly's defeat why did they not
attempt it there | believe the whole
thing is an attempt on the part of enemies
of the labor movement to create disturb
ance and discord in that attempt the
movers will fail. We will leave this city
vet closing one of the most successful
meetings ever held and all the money that
the enemies of the n. of l.. can spend in
an effort to break us will he spent in vain.
The events with which the home
club is charged with dealing
transpired years ago If they conspired