Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-30
WORK FOR IDLE LABOR.
PLAN OF THE KNIGHTS FOR
KEEPING ALL BUSY.

or OAys
CLEVELAND, May 29.---The four-hours'
session of the General Assembly of the
Knights of Labor this morning was de-
voted to discussion OF the motion made
| yesterday to refer the report OF the Ex-
exutive Board on the relation OF the order
to trades unions to the Committee or the
State Of the Order.
| Speeches were made by a number of
leading members, aud from their tenor it
is certain that the trades unionists will
not get all they ask. It seems more than
probable that the affair will remain un-
settled.
The Legislative Committee OF the Gene
raj Assembly has the hardest work OF any
committee appointed, the members having
| devoted their evenings TO the duty before
them. The committee will report Mon
day morning, and will propose important
legislation on railroads, public lands,
education, alien landlords and money.
THE REORGANIZATION PLAN.
The reorganization plan that has been
favorably discussed and which will be
brought before the Executive Board Is
outlined by VIM. B. Dubos. of New York,
| who takes as the basis Of his argument
that the right of employment must be
established to cure the evils of
overproduction. "Carroll ID. Wright,
OF the Labor Commission" says
the writer, ''states in round
numbers that ], ,0OO,O 900 men in this coun-
try are out OF employment who would
not be idle II work could be had. That
number is about 10 per cent of the actual
voting population of the country.
| think TO meet this emergency the
knights OF Labor should urge the estab-
lishment by constitutional amendments
or otherwise in every CITY or town of
labor, governed by commissioners elected
by the people.
DUTIES OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
The duty of those commissioners would
be to advise WAYS and means In their re-
spective towns to give employment TO as
many as 10 per cent. OF the voting popula-
tion. There shall be an annual apprO-
priatiOn by every city and town Of 5000
inhabitants sufficient to pay wages at the
rate Of 81 day for 800 days in the year
10 as many as 10 per cent. of the voters,
such percentage to be calculated from the
registry list Of the last previous election.
An additional Appropriation shall be
made to pay salaries to the commission
ers and toremen and to purchase the nee
essary supplies.
THOSE ELIGIBLE.
Amy able-bodied person who registered
at the last annual election in the preced-
ing year for which the appropriations are
made, out of employment by reason Of a
strike, lockout, depression in business, or
from any good cause, and unable TO find
other work, may make application for
employment at the Department of Labor
and shall be given some useful work to do,
at the rate of 81 per day Of eight working
hours as long as may choose be TO remain
and work for that rate OF wages. Copies
of this plan are in the hands OF several
delegates, and will be brought before the
convention as soon as possible.
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE.
After a short discussion this afternoon
the whole matter was referred TO commit
tee, and a few moments later Mrs. Sarah
Nj. Perkins, of this city, appeared at the
door of the ante-rOOm to the convention
hall and sent note TO Mr.. Powderly, say
ing that she had been delegated by the
Ohio W0man's Suffrage Association TO
present an address to the General Assem-
bly,.
recess was taken to admit the lady,
and Mrs. Perkins was escorted to the
platform and introduced to the conven-
tiOn.
The Committee on Laws second prop
osItiOn was a recommend alton that where
practicable unattached local Assem- blies
should become part OF the district assem-
blies, and transact business with the Gen
eral Assembly through them. After a
short discussion the proposition was
adopted.
IMPRISONED KNIGHTS.
The Secretary read a letter from Gal
weston, Tex, relating TO the hardships OF
the strikers who are confined In the jail
of that city fOr"constructiVe cOntem mpt,"
IE tn do.
something to obtain for them the privi-
leges given persons similarly charged in
other courts OF the United States. The
following resolution was presented aud
unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, The jails at Galveston, Dallas
ana elsewhere 10 Texas are filled with brother
knights suffering for contempt OF court as s-
sued by Judge Pardee, he IL
Res0t0ed by this general assembly, that we
petition Grover G evcland. President OF the
/ United states. to exercise clcmency In their
behalf. as United states Judges have ordered
the release Of all prisoners sentenced during
the strikes on the Southwest system, and thus
be the means OF causing better feelings be-
tween employers and employees
A committee Of Two was appointed to
draft suitable documents 10 be forwarded
TO the President, asking him to exerclee
clemency toward the imprisoned members
OF the order.
TO THE WOMAN sUFFRAGIsTs.
The committee appointed on Friday to
respond 10 the telegram received from the
Toledo Convention presented the follow
ing address that was unanimously adopt
cd and ordered 10 be sent 10 the secretary;
CLEvELAsD, o.. May 81, 1855,
To khs Ohfo WoWdH's Sn6rdOe 4 AAsOciGti0n:
The General Assembly OF the Knights Of La
Dor accepts the greeting and recommenda-
tiOn Of the OHIO Womans Suffrage AssOcia.
ton and return It's thanks with fraternal
greetngs and congratulations. The order Of
tine knights OF Labor guarantees 10 woman
aud man equal rigbts. protection and oppOr-
tunitieB 10 the full extent OF its riRhtful au-
thOrity.
Its real mission is complete emancipation
and enfranchieement OF all thO.c who labor.
IL is imbued with the lofty spirit Of the de-
claration Of American Independence which
includes the whole American family in the
rights claimed by iis author for themselves.
lt would not bring noble lines and sentences
Of The fathers out Of. sight OF more than one
half ~ an the most useful and deserving
industrious people whom fashions Internal
have miHed and whom falee pride has IN
Undated. IL reminds woman that she must
ceAee lOOkinR 10 partisans aud courtiers for
jutttce and the revival OF thnt vital spirit
wldch alone can nourish and sustain the re-
public, that she must iurn 20 bereelf; must
respond ~ proper spirit 10 tho ri1htful tenor
OF projection and equality; musIoarnestly CO.
operate with the pr1gre-sive members Of
the knights of Labor, who iusist upon a
guarantee Of perfect equality in the fun aud
free exercise and enjoyment OF an momber-
ship rights, Of equal participation in the ad-
mtniairatiOu, nud that the management Of all
al 4fNH aaNN