Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-03-27
The Troubles with the Strikers.

The Troubles with the Strikers.
CHICAGO, March 27.-The publication oil
General Master Workman Powderly's secret
address to tho mobile Order Of Knights oil
Labor" surprised the local Knights. An
idea of the rapdity with which the order
ia spreading, may in some measure be
judged by the general secreary's order to
restrict the granting of new charters to fifty
per day. The Chicago Knights cast about
them to see if there was any cause of COM
plaintin Chicago, in districts 81 and 24. 1t
was found that for three months past they
had been making Knights in this city, at
the rate of 1000 per week. Mr.. George
Rodgers, n member Of tho executive com,
mittec, said in regard to the address: Il
have boon apprchensve for some time that
our rapid growth would lead to extrava.
gances in the way Of strikes and demands
which would involve the Knights in serious
difficulties. Our organizers are to blame in
| some places. They want to make showing,
and they yield to the request of dissatisfied
labor TO become organized. Then, too,
have noticed that new assemblies are anx-
ious to try their strength. 1t is like the boy
with the new boots, he wants to kick some
thing. Mr.. Powderly has long considered
this movement, and l feel sure he has made
no mistake in his pronuncinmento. The
incendiary interviews with prominent
Knights concerned in the Missouri Pacific
strike, have done much to widen the breach
between The men and the employers. The
knights are already the greatest organiza-
ton Of labor ever known, anu if they heed
Mr.. Powdery'a advice, they will yet become
more powerful By absorption, taking in the
open unions. They are yielding and grad.
ually coming in one by one. This bringing
tho boycott, tho mighty engine OF our order,
to bear on petty cases will destroy its use.
fulness. So many firms will be on the list
soon that no Knight can keep them in
mind | hope they will be restricted"
GALVESTON, Tex, Mar. 81. "A special TO
the Nc'ns from Texarkana says: "At mass
meeting Of citizens Thursday night many
Knights OF Labor werc present, and the To-
cal executive committee publicly expressed
their determination TO assist the citizens in
carrying out the law and in protecting rail
road property. In order to lest their pro-
LESSONS the county officers, with a number
OF leading citizens, visited the round house
Of the Iron Mountain road yesterday after
noon, and got out an engine. The sheriff
and a posse boarded the locomotive, as did
also Knight of Labor. They soon had
steam up, and were about TO run the engine
out OF the yard when mob of about 400
strikers confronted the engine, caught the
swtchman and officer on guard by their
necks, threw them aside and then switched
the engine on side track. This outrage
has resulted in the withdrawal Of all conf
dence from the knights, as it was directly
contrary to the professions of good will
made by tho local committee. Tho citizens
have resolved to obtain State aid. Sheriff
Hamilton has telegraphed to Governor
Hughes, asking for militia, and has been
authorized to call out the Gate City Guards,
Of this city. The Guards have been notified
to hold themselves in readiness to respond
at short notice. Many Of the better class of
knighta deprecate the course being pursued,
and there is no doubt that many withdraw
ais from the organization will take place. |
The citizens are on the alert, and any fur
Their acts Of violence will lie resisted by
force"
special to the Ners from Gainesville |
says: THE inhabitants OF this city are be-
ginning to seriously experience the effects
of the strike. As the Missouri Pacific runs
to Gainesville, many poor people are almost !
for food. Merchants are refusing
credit to the army of unemployed work
men,"
ST.. LOUIS, Mo-, March 27.-In addition
to the dispatch from Pittsburg, received
here last night, to the effect that company
Of U. $. Infantry had passed through that
city, Ell route from New York to this city,
he news was received this morning that
,wo companies of soldiers had left Column
,us, Ohio, destined for st. Louis. 1t is un-
lerstood that the Columbus detachment
will be placed in position to afford pro-
ection to East ST. Louis interests, if their
ervices should become necessary, and the
.ction is taken as precautionary measure,
,ased upon the information that destruction
# property has been threatened. il