The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-07
THE CONVENTION.
The Fight Over Credentials Still Raging and
the Organization Uncompleted.


the Organization UncOmpleted.
Z TscHMoND, Va, Oct. 6-Although Mr.. Pow
derly and the members of the executive board of
the Knights of Labor were up until late hour
last night, completing necessary work in connec-
ton with the propositions which they intend
submitting to the convention, they were all up
early this morning, and a majority of them on
their way to Armory Hall before o'clock, the
hour fixed for the beginning of the session AL
though it was the third day of the convention.
its members were not yet ready to begin the
actual work they had come to do. There still
remained to be settled the question of seating
eight or ten delegates, whose cases the COM
mittee on credentials had referred to the
convention. Mr.. Powderly and all the
leading members refused to say whether these
eight or ten men are delegates from Brooklyn
Montauk Protective Association or not, but it is
generally understood that they are. The strong
feeling excited by the efforts of the Brooklyn
men to obtain recognition made the committee
on credentials hesitate it is believed, to assume
the responsibility OF deciding the matter and
they threw the burden upon the convention
itself. They were further prompted to such
tion, it is said by the assertions made by some
that the committee was prejudiced against the
Brooklyn men.
At noon q recess was taken until o'clock
Mr. Powderly announced to the representatives
of the press that he had nothing to communicate
to them. Some secret business had been trans
acted, but of course. he could not say as to its
nature. The morning session was mainly de-
voted, he said, to consideration Of the reports
of the committee on credentials, which has
not been finally acted upon. Delegates
are unusually reticent and such state
ments as can be elected by inquiry
are contradictory 1t seems safe, however, to
say that whatever action has been taken by the
credentials committee III the of District 40
and the Brooklyn delegates is unfavorable to
the latter The feeling of a majority of the dele
gates, outside of New York, is in favor of Brook
lyn.
The afternoon session. beginning at O'Clock,
lasted nearly an hour beyond the regular time
for adjournmpnt-6 o'clock. Matters then stood
about where they were this morning Mr. Pow
derly, through whom all official news Of the pro-
ceediDgs is given to the press told the reporters
he had nothing in the way OF news to give
them. The convention. he said, was still con-
sdering the report Of the committee on Gre
dentials, and had not yet acted on ii. This means
that the fight over the admission OF eight or
ten delegates, which the committee referred 20
the convention, is still in progress. Who these
delegates are Mr. Powderly and other leading
knights still refuse to say. The burden OF ru
NOR, however. seems to favor statements that
| they are three Brooklyn delegates-Brown,D Dobb
and Miller, of the Brooklyn Montauk Associa-
ton; Morrison, of District Assembly l26, of New
York, and six st. Louis delegates, claiming ~
be elected, instead of six said to be Turner men,
The delegates from District 40. according to the
same unofficial reports are fighting Morrison
and the Brooklyn men tooth and nail! but the
long continuance of the battle shows that the
opposition is as fully determined as they. There
can be no doubt of the fact that the battle
is a bitter one. This afternoon the voices of OPP
posing delegates could be heard in the street
without Armory Hall, as they argued the ques-
ton at issue Until this discussion is ended, the
convention is at standstill, and no work can be
done Meanwhile many delegates here are
growing impatient at the prolongation of the
contest and are anxious to get TO the work they
came here to accomplish. The contest will be
resumed tomorrow morning. and no one seems
even able to guess how long it will be before the
convention will organize and begin business.
1t was stated officially tonight to an Associated
Press reporter by member of the executive
board, that the report Of the committee