The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-04-22
POWDERLY'S TESTIMONY.

The organization of Knights of Labor
starting out on set of principles which
commanded respect, has slipped from the
grasp of the men who laid its foundations
and fallen under the domination of its un-
worthiest element. The revolutionary
wing planned and executed the violence
winch clogged the wheels of commerce.
and paralyzed the industry of half con-
tinent for weeks of painful suspense. 1t
had come to this: Mr.. Powderly must
either resign his position and disayow its
lawless acts, or fall into ranks with the
majority, which would have none of the
wise recommendations of his circnlar.
He seems to have chosen the latter. This
alternative is dimly foreshadowed in the
circular itself.
| Mr.. Gould and the mOnopolies he repre-
! sents, find in these things matter for self
felicitation. He has measured arms with
the knights of Labor, and has found that
the Little finger of Jay Gould is thicker
than the loins of the organizations The
very wisest thing the knights can now do
Is to wait for existing laws, and laws vet
to be enacted TO do their office upon these
pampered autocrati IS, which owe their
existence to fiction of law. The knights
have learned to. 'labor;' let
them now learn to - wait" Mr.
Powderly's latest utterances are to be
found in his testimony before the special
committee of congress charged with the
duty of inquiring into the labor strikes in |
the southwest. His testimony is given
with candor and straightforwardness
which apparently carries with it the con
YlctiOn that he is thoroughly persuaded of
the correctness of his own position. To
say truth, the strickes conservatism
can fine little to critizie in his public utter
ances. He makes i'll his testimany some
serious charges against the lines of road
under Gould's control. That an employe
working for minimum wages should be taxed
twenty-five to twenty cents per month
o keep up hospital fund, and then be
discharged at the first moment he require
is benefits might not be considered fair.
These stores, too, in which the superinten-
Tents are said to be interested. at which .
he employe has an option to trade or not ,
IS he chooses, but if he does not patronize ,
men, Is peremptory dismissal. this
apparently sharp tiranciering.
These things may or may not bo true .
ut Mr.. Powderly has promised to fur. ;,
iSh the committee with the proofs. Mr.. q.
iould cannot escape the responsibility for q.
nese acts of his subordinates, if they be :,
rue, as charged, without at the same .
me, and, upon the same reasoning. ex- l.
using Mr.. Powderly from responsibility !
'r the lawless acts of his subordinates. -
IT. Powderly being quite as far removed
ON the scene of these acts as Mr.. Gould
from his subordinates, who are charged "
18th these unconscionable extortions. fl
n, Gould should remember, too. that his o.
over over his employees is very great il
18th Mr.. Powderly the case is different.
Is evidenced by the refusal of the
rlkers to return TO their posts in obedi- =
ice to his orders. Mr.. Powderly, in re- II
'onse To question, answers that there n
no power in the general organization :
order n strike Cau IL l,a .r,,o A.. .
over withheld from the head of the or ef
'nlzation is deposited with local iii
anches : If so, the Knights of Labor =; q,
ganization is built upon foundation \
sand, and if its seryiceable continu- Io
ice Is sought tor, the Objectionable ele- m m
ent should be rooted out and the con- Ia
oil of the organization placed in the an
nds of men who appreciate the sit an an