The Press., 1886-05-20


 MR. PowDzRLx has put the question to the newspapers whether they will justify employ CTS in boycotting Knights of Labor-dis- charging employees for being members of that organization7 No, MT Powderly, such action would be censurable indeed, accepting the objects and purposes of that organization to be as you would have them to be. The worhngmen have right to, and are justified to organize for the protection of their inter ests in every beneficial and equitable manner, and we believe that you are sincere In deslr- ing that they keep within such bounds. But we desire to ask question of you: Suppose you were running factory, and had in your employ a contented and satisfied force of workmen. Some members of secret organi- ration had got among them, and were stirring up disContent. Some of the monthly ones had avowed a purpose to induce majority of the help to join them, and then to inaugurate a strike with demand that all non-union members be discharged without consideration of length of service or value to the concern. Then suppose the employer sees a strike ac tualiy in progress in 8 neighboring establish ment, the strikers enforcing their demands by posting pickets about the now silent estab- hshmsnt and by some means preventing any from accepting employment therein, though the proprietor had assurance from many of these that they much desired to be at work. Now, MT. Powderly, if you were in the place of the first emp oyer, would you not seek to avoid similar trouble? The Knights of Labor under the lead of man like Mir. Pow derly would be an organization tn fair minded employers could easily cooperate with, but under the lead of a man like Martin Irons, who is mentioned as possible success -sOr to Mr. Powderly, would be menace to capital, and partial justification of a defen- sive organization of capital.
 It appears that the Canadian authorities sAre working under an old treaty made in sthS year 1918, soon after the close Gin 1Sih) of the war of 1872 and they have 8 GunbOat or two to chase and capture the little fishing smacks of the Gloucester fish efman who run into Canadian ports to pur- chase bait. The old treaty provides that American vessels shall enter Canadian ports only to procure wood or to make re- pairs if in distress, and to purchase bread enough, perhaps, to keep their crews from huAeer. So when the schooner Adams ran in to buy some fishing bait gunboat captured her, and she is to be tried for vii olaeing the custom laws and the old treaty. Most countries are pleased to have vessels come in and trade with them-to purchase bait or provisions, or manufactured goods. But our Dominion neighbors are getting to be very particular. No Yankee shallop can enter their waters fer sip of cool wa ter or bait enough to allure codfsh from his pleasure excursion along the banks. But how is it on the other hand? They like to have the Yankees accommodate their vessels, and they are accommodated and treated in courteous and neighborly man. ner. This dispatch of last Saturday tells of case:
 Gloucester, Mass, May 15.-The British schooner Geneva, from Lunenburg, N. s arrived this morning to fit for the southern maeksrel fishing. She has the British ensign flying at the mainpeak, which is something unusual for fisherman, and which is felt to partake somewhat of defiant attitude, as the vessel is here to buy a seine, boat and other supplies to prosecute mackerel fishing on the American shores.
 x Our government wants only friendly re- lations with it's Canadian neighbors. The fishermen of the United States treat the Canadians kindly, harbor their vessels, sell them bait, seines, boats, and potatoes to mix with their codfsh. They want decent treatment in return and we do not doubt that arrangements will be made that will ensure such treatment. MT. Morgan, the British under secretary in London, said Friday
 'I need hardly say that we are anxious to sec the fisheries matter settled in friendly way, as it could be, think, if MT. Phelps should be instructed to meet Lord Granville and talk it over quietly for half an hour, al- ways with due regard to the fact that Canada IS interested as much as Maine or Massa- chusetts, the points at present in agitation might surely be arranged between the two na- fions without their calling each other names"
 About all that is necessary for England and Canada to do is to concede as much as they aak for themselves.
 The convention of Knights of Labor to be held in Cleveland next week has al- ready attracted interested inquiries as to