Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-06

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was eratificd to learn that they had no desire
TO revive the past. For the future I re.
commend that all matters likely 10 create a
breach Of The peace between our order and
any other be at once submitted TO the ex.
ecutives Of both organizations. II a
trade union complains Of any action
on the part Of our order, let the
aggrieyed party submit the matter 10 the
president OF his unIon-he to investigate ;
and, falling to effect a remedy. to place the
matter before the general master workmln
and The Executive Board. 1.-THE aggrieyed
party IL a member OF an assembly OF the
Knights OF Labor let the same mode OF pro-
cedure be gone through with, and, above
all things. let speedy and impartial In.
yestlgaiion and an immediate settlement be
made. This plan has worked well In every
1 new case called TO my attention since the
| Cleveland sessiOn, and IL Is worthy OF
adoption.
| More trouble has been caused us by men
who proicss to be members OF the Knights
| OF Labor than by trades unions. | respect
the man who, being a member OF trade
union, does everything honorable in his
| power tn defend and perpetuate his Organl-
zation but for the knight OF Labor who
| would even attempt 10 subordinate our
| order TO any other have nothing but con-
| tempt. In my estimation there is but one
| place for such a man, and that Is on the
| outside Of our order.
II the representatives OF the trade unions
and oi our order come together and both
are sincere in their devotion to their re.
| specliye organizations an honest and sltis'
| factory solution OF every difficulty can be
arrived at. No sacrifice OF principle or re.
| gard for either organization need attend
such 4 meeting. But the man who, through
fear, policy, indifference, or desire to &c.
quire popularity, neglects the inter IS OF
the order he represents, is not honest, ana
should not be allowed to act in any capa-
CITY for any so;iety Of wOrkingmen.
With the session OF the General Assem-
bly, only three days away. twill not be pos
,ible for me to say all that | would like to
upon the questions that will come be-
fore us. hy time has been entirely
taken up with the detail work Of
the order, and was forced 10 neglect
this duty in order to give any time or at.
tsntion to 4 preparation for the coming OF
the General Assembly. 1t will surprise you
10 learn that even at this moment, when
every member knows full well that we are
assembled in General Convention, secretI-
II
Office IN the expectation OF receiving an inn
mediate reply. Letters ard telegrams by
the hundred will flow in upon me even
While The General Assembly is in session.
The duties which called me away from
home for the greetcr part OF the year that
ha, Just closed made IL impossible 10 give
proper attention to my correspondence.
TO read each letter addressed TO me would
occupy every moment OF the twenty-iodr
hours, leaving no time TO answer or die
tate an answer TO any OF them. ! attend
ed to all that could. lnd the others Will
never he reached. II this is neglect Of
duty then ! am guilty; but | have no
spology to offer. did all that could do:
more could not be expected Of ne.
have never during the seven years that
have served as general master workman
made member OF this order subject ~
personal criticism or abuse. Such trca'-
mcnt has not been accorded TO ne. Whe-
tbor the intention was to have me reply
through the public press DO not know,
bit have made it q rule never To speak IN
criticism. harsh or otherwise, Oi man, o1-
ccpt hen standing face TO face with him.
And have as >tudiou>ly re'ra,ncd flom
replying 20 or DENYING attacks or accusa.
tions against me, except in the presence oi
those who made them. When called upon
TO defend the order or lis principles, ! have
ATTEMPTED 10 30 80.
| have been accused of displaying =
"lack Of nerve. " OF "want OF backbone,
and Of being too weak a mn 10 lead
strong movement. " have never replied
10 these charges. nor will do 30 now. !
simply point back 10 record Of seven
ytars d service and ask this question: l..
while holding a position such a. no man
living or dead ever held before. with the
full blaze Of pubic scrutiny shining upon
every action, with public opinion A. ready
to condemn as 10 applaud, have displayed
a lack Of nerve or backbone. why Is It that
a million men md women Oi nerve.
backbone. and common sen have gath
cred around the standard wAieh
was placed in my hands sryen
wears ago by the founder OF the order
hm>cfi II ! have been proven weak
nan why DO 80 many strong men support
me? dislike to -pcak Of these matters,
but believe that in justice 10 yOurselyc'
and ne Won should know Of th'm. By
men who uIc no, knights Of Labor bavo
been called weak because ! dlScOuntc-
nanccd violence and hasty. ill-ldyiscd a.
ton. | nave 10 excuse 10 olier. for II thi>
/, an offence let the General Assembly Itself
offer the apology. Ny views upon such
qucS.ior> were known to each General ~
s,mhlv before my election ~ general mas
ter workman. and in elccting me they EN-
dor,cd ard made themsclyc, responsible
Tor these sentiments.
will now ~pcIk as have never spoken
10 a session u the General A. emily b.
fore. Representatives have been instructed
10 vote for me ioI general master work
man. | fccl complimcntcd. but release
every member rom hi Obligation to
vote fOY me. You are free to vote Tor
any other man YOU choose, and II You
act in accordance with my wishes yOu viii
select another 10 till my place. This leave
in your hands. stand ready to serve this
order i'm any capacity, either II genera.
master workman or private in the ranks.
In voting for general master workman. do
not be guided by sentiment or sympathy,
but vote for the best interests OF Gods sur !
ieiinC poor and the callsc Of united labor. !
II is because believe it to be my duty that |
] talk thus plainly, aud here face to face
with labOr's representative men and wo- !
men j. the place 70 say It.
II has been charged thit between men, |
bers oi The G,neIal Executive Board |
and myself serious Disturbances have !
Z ken place; that rupturcs have occurred |
Of a serious character. Others have |
charged that the Board constituted ITSELF |
a ring 10 manage affairs. These state |
monts- inventions Of the cnemy-haye a |
damaging effect when told 10 the unwary. !
The first assertion j. utterly false, for be- !
tween the Board and myself there has becu |
40 ruIture, or even difference. Ii at tir-t |
We did not agree upon question We dl-- |
cussed it until the fullest possible light |
shone upon ii. and when We went to the |
world with il we went as one man. Every |
attempt to divide us has been failure. |
That we have constituted ourselves ring |
Ia manage affairs is true; that is what you !
elected lis for. We are ring, solid and |
and hope the next Board viii |
be the same. For standing together in |
unity We have no apologies to offer. For |
myself | say, May it never be otherwise.
T. V. POwDERLY.
General Master Workman.
WANT THEIR OWN CONGHESs.