The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-06
THE KNIGHTS or LABOR.
ADDRESS OF GRAND MASTER
WORKMAN POWDERLY.
Reviewing the Events Of the Most
EVentful Year in the History
OF the Organization.


RICHMOND, VA, October 5-Gen-
era Worthy Foreman Griffith called
the second session, knights OF Labor
G INVENTION, to order at 8 O'Clock this
morning, ia the absence OF Mr.. Pow
derly, who was detained at his hotel
by business. 1t vas announced that
the Committee oa Credentials was not
ready to report and nothing could be
done until their report vas received.
While waiting, several speeches were
made by delegates to aid in icling
time away. Shortly after 10 o'clock
Mr.. Powderly arrived and was pre-
scented by Brother O'Donnell with a
gavel made from the wood OF an
orange tree that grew on the spot
where Gen. Psckenham was killed At
the bait Q OF New Orleans. The pre-
sertation was made on behalf OF New
0 cans knights.
1t was learned that the Committee
on Credentials would not be ready to
repor. until 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Tie convention then adjourned until
tat hour. Before the delegates left
the h,ll Mr.. POwderly strongly urged
them 10 avoid the use Of strong drink
while in Richmond. AS individuals,
h sid he had no right to dictate as
70 what they should do, but they were
not here az Individuals but al repre-
sentatives of a vast constituency. The
ewes Of the world we're upon them
while here and that congtltuency
would be Judged by their conduct.
IL ia expected that the afternoon
session will be occupied by the con-
sid ration Of the report OF the Com
mittge on Credentials, and that actual
work will not begin until tomorrow.
The convention went into session
again this afternoon at 2 o'c'ock Tho
report OF the Committee on Creden-
tails was thon ready. 1t was very long
and Secretary Turner ssid it would
take four hours to read 1t. 1t YVES
doubtful whether consideration Of the
reIort could be completed and action
on IL taken this afternoon.
The COMMITTEES of Arrangements OF
local Knights appointed tn determine
tie details Of the entertainment to be
given visiting Knights next Monday,
have decided to let the question OF CO.
mipgling white and colored people at
the ball that evening TO settle itself.
L. has been arranged to have two
dancing pavilions at the State fair
grounds.
Chairman Lynch sad this afternoon
that il was not the intention to assign
one TO white Knights and the other 10
colored Knights. This order recog-
nized no such distinctions, but at the
same time the feeling here in re-
gard 10 social intercourse OF the races
was 90 well understood they Hntici-
pa,ed no trouble on that score. 1t
wss expected, of couse, that the col
ored people would prefer 10 ass, ciate
with their own people. If, however,
a colored Knight and lady should
choose TO dance with the white people
in the other pavilion, he knew OF no
infection to prevent them.
When asked if colored guests should
present themselves ut the tables where
whites were seated at the banquet
what would be done, he replied that
he expected no trouble in that way,
but did not suppose they would be
prohibited from doing so. He intended
speaking to Mr.. Powderly IN the sub
ject in a day or so. He repeated that
ne expected no trouble. The funds
for the entertainment of guests were
raised by the local assemblies OF Rich
mond, colored and white. The
knights hers have separate assemblies,
and the Oolored Knights have con
tributed something more than the
whites to the entertainment fund.
The arrangements for Monday next
include a parade Of the local assem-
bies and waiting Knights, Mr.. Pow
derby, the Executive Committee and
invited guests in carriages. Speeches
will be made by Senator Elect Daniel,
Gov. Lee, Mr.. Powderly and others.