The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-04-01
POWDERLY'S WARNING.
The Grand Master of the Knights Warns
the Order Against Strikes and Boycotts
He is Ready to Resign

The Grand Master OF the Knights Warns
the Order Against Strikes and Boycotts
Ike is Ready to Resign.
ST. LOUIS, March GA long, secret
circular issued by Grand Master Workman
POwderly and addressed to the order of the
knights of Labor has Just been made pub
lie here.
Mr.. POwderiy opens by instructing the
secretary of each assembly to call full
meeting and read the circular before it. The
address then orders the assemblies to cease
initiating new members till the relations of
capital and labor shall become less strained
than at the present time
Mir. Powderly then says: ITO attempt to
win concessions or gains with our present
raw, undiscipllned membership would be like
hurting an unorganiZed mob against we'll
drilled army. 1t is not fair TO the older as
semblies to bring in new members to pick
up their quarrelS as soon as organized and
have them expect pecuniary aid from those
who helped build the order up for noble
purpose" After dwelling at some
length upon the unadvisa5ility of TAX
ing in new members the address continues:
I'VE must not fritter away our
strength and miss an opportunity of pres
ent success in the struggle against capital
by rushing into useless strikes. To the
cardinal principles of the order we must
add anoiher-patlence. You have had
patience for years, and had not the knights
OF Labor appeared upon the scene you
would still be waiting. Your scale of prices
must stand as they are for the present"
Mr.. POwderly then cautions assemblies
against receiving employers into their ranks
and warns them that politicians are plan
ming night and day how to catch the
Knights of Labor for the advantage of
themselves and their parties and adds that
TO use the name OF the order in a political
contest is criminal and must not occur again.
Referring TO the eight-hOur movement the
circular says: knights of Labor must not
strike for the eight-hOur system on May
under the impression they are Obeying or
derS from headquarters, for such an order
was not and will not be given. Out of
10000, 900 people in the United States and
Canada our order has possibly 100000 Can
we mold the sentiments of the millions in
favor of the short hour plan before May l?
1t is nonsense To think of it,"
After speaking of qualities which officers
of assemblies should possess, and expecting
Knights of Labor to elect honest men of
even temperament, Mr.. POwderIy continues:
while write, dispatch is handed to ne
in which l read these words: They dis
charged our brother and we struck. You
know our motto is AN injury to one is the
concern of ALL" EeS-an injury to one is
the concern of all, but it is not wise to i'll
iure ali for the sake of one. 1t would be
lar better to continue at work and properly
investigate the matter, bringing it before
every known tribunal. :han to have struck"
Speaking of the relations between the
church and the Knights of Labor, Mr.. Pow
Derry says: Il warn our members against
hasty, il-cOnsdeIed action. The church
will not interfere with us so long as we
maintain the law. Il the law is wrong, it
is our duty to change it. [ am ashamed 20
rieet with cleTgymen and others TO tell them
that our order is composed OF law-abidng,
Intelligent men, while the next dispatch
brings the news of some petty boycott or
strike.
II write this circular to lay before the
order the exact condition of things. | am
neither physically nor mentally capable of
performing the work required of me. [
am willing to do my part, bat must not be
asked TO maintain Il false position before
the world any longer One OF two things
must take place: Either the local and dis
trict assemblies of the order must obey its
laws, or | must be permitted TO resign from
a position which obligeS me TO play one
part before the public and another 10 our
members. l say to the world that the knights
of Labor do not approve OF or encourage
Strikes, aud in one day dispatches come
to me to come To Troy, y. Y Manchester,
y. H., Chicago, ILL.,, Cincinnati, o., Lynch
burg, Va, Springfield, o., and Montreal,
Canada. 1t is impossible for human nature
to stand the strains any longer. 1 must .
have the assistance of the order. or my
most earnest efforts will fail. VIII | have
it? If so, strikes must be avoided; boycOiIS
mast be avoided. Those who boast mast .
be checked by their assemblies. No move .
must Oe made until the court OF last Te-
sort las been appealed to. Threats
of violence must not be made. Poll /
t.cjanS must be huShed up or driven .
out. Obedience to the laws OF knighthOOd B
must have preference over those of any
other order. If these things are done, the .
next five years Will witness the complete .
of mankind from the curse of /