Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1886-03-18
TRRRANCE ". POwDERLY.

On every hand we hear of the
Knights of Labor and their work.
They have become one of the greatest
powers in this country. The order
was formed in 1869 at Philadelphia
and soon spread until now almost ev-
cry hamlet has its loca. assembly. In
1878 a convention was called and the
General Assembly Of North America
established, at which Uriah S. Stevens
the founder Of the order was chosen
Grand Master Workman. None of
the present officers know how many
members the order has, for it is in
creasing at the rate of 10000 a year,
SO that any correct calculation is out
Of the question. Any person who,
stands we'll in his trade, above the age
of Is, whether male or female, with
out distinction Of creed or color,
whether tradesman, manufacturer,
employer or employee, may become a
member, not SO lawyers, bankers,
brokers, professional gamblers or any
person who derives profit from the
sale Of Intoxicating liquors. The Ex-
ecutive Board of the order is compos-
ed of the following gentlemen
L. Y. Powderly, Grand Master
Workman. Scranton, Pa.
Frederick Turner, Secretary and
Treasurer, Philadelphia, Pa.
John w. Hayes, New Brunswick,
n. j.
w. III. Bailey, Shawnee, Ohio.
T. B. Barry, Saginaw, Mich.
The executive board has the power
to order or terminate strikes, raise, or
der, or extend boycotts, confers with
capitalist and employers, in fact con-
trols the entire organization, except
when the General Assembly is in ses-
sion. The order was founded to pre-
vent the encroachment of capital on
labor and how successfully this has
| been accomplished the record OF
strikes and boycotts, which have been
successful proves. The local assem-
| blies govern themselves. They have
the power to boycott, WI omever they
please in their own district. Boycott
| ting is the most effective weapon of the
order. Striking is less frequently re
sorted to, but they can also be ordered
by the local assemblies, if they hope
however to obtain aid from the Gen.
eral Assembly, the strike must be leg
allied To do this the Local Assem-.
bly, must notify the District. Assembly
| whose officers must investigate the
reasons for discomfort. Two week,
notice is given and if in that time the
district officers cannot bring about
harmony between employed, the strike
is legalized, after which the fnancia
support of the district may be invoked
If the strike extends to other branches
of trade or other assemblies and the
district is unable to sustain it, then al
assessment may be laid on the entire
organization throughout the world
The only time such a tax was laio
was during the great telegraph opera
tors strike and then it was not collect
ed. The head of the order is Ter
race V. Powderly- He was born il
Carbonate, Pa, January oath, 1o49
He learned the machinist's trade ant
put in his spare time in educating him
self in civil engineering. At the ag'
OF IL he joined the Machlnists ans
Blacksmith's Union of Scranton, ant
became presiding officer. Ten year
ago he joined the K of l. and becam
secretary of the District Assembl,
No. Is. He was active i'll bringin,
together the scattered threads of tn
order to form the first General ESSEN
bly, in 1878 and to him is greatly du
the phenomenal success of the order
In his capacity, as the head of thi
immense organization he has the lal
gest correspondence and answers NOR
letters than any other man in tn
United States. In the great labo
movement of 1877 he was made MAJ
or of Scranton, and afterwards wa
elected to the same Office by the Den
ocrats and again On the peoples ticl
ct. He has been reelected six time
, to his position as the head of the Z (
L. He is strict tee-totaler and do.
I not use tobacco in any form. His al
: cestors were Irish and from the
comes his fountain of Irish w.t.. t,
which he is celebrated.