Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-09-22
THE KNIGHTS GROWTH.
Extending Their Organization Into Eu.
rope-A Cosmopolitan Gathering
Of Delegates for the Rich
mond Convention.

On the curious little ve-sided brass
buttons which designate the wearers as
Knights of Labor, and which to-day deco
rate the lapels Of thousands of coats, there
is peculiar device which at once attracts
attention. More conspicuous than any Of
the geometric devices which are interviewer
to make up the emblem, is diminutive
representation Of the globe, which is read
ily understood as emblematical of the wide
spread scope of the order. The United
States, where the Knights first became
known, do not by any means represent the
boundaries of this dominant labor organi-
cation, for within the last two years
many thousands Of the mechanics, arti-
sans and laborers Of the European coun-
tries have been enrolled as Knights of
Labor. The organization Of the Window
glass workers in England and Continental
Europe was the first move on the other
side Of the wa or, and it is Low claimed
that there is scarcely one of tlat craft in
the entire world who is not member OF
the order. Hence directions to local and
district assemblies, constitutions and by
laws, and the various other pamphlets
which are necessary 10 carry on the DIVERSE
fed business, have TO be translated into o
score or more of different languages, and
more than one of the progressive members
of the Executive Board are looking hope
fully forward to the day when the ramifica-
tons of the ORDER will include even
the nations of the far East, and
the linguistic catalogue Of the General
Secretary Treasurer will include the tea
chest tongue of the Chinese. The manages
ment Of all the foreign branches OF the
order is vested in the General Executive
Board Of this country, and that little body
of five men-Bailny, Barry, Hayes, and
Turner, with Powderly as their Chajrman-
Yields a rover which is felt by lahoring
men upon both sides Of the Atlantic Ocean.
The annual convention of the order,
which meets this year in Richmond, Va,
will be the largest ever held, and probably
the largest that ever will he held, as in fu-
ture delegates win be chosen upon differ
ent basis Of r, presentation. As provided
for under the present regulations each dis
trict assembly is entitled to one representa-
tive for each 1000 or majority fraction Of
1000 of its membership. The rapid
growth of tie order, which is fast ap-
preaching membership OF 1,O0O,000, in
creases the number Of delegates to such an
extent as to r. nd,r an annual convention q
cumbersome and unNieldy body, and to
obviate this Difficulty the nnmbsr of dele
gates will be reduced by increasing the con-
stituency of each representative to 200, or
perhaps more. The convention will open
on Monday, October 4, and will probably
continue for at least fifteen days. Dele
gates will be in attendance f;om all parts
of the United States and Canada. Mexico,
Central America, and even South America
will send their quota. European assemblies
tats
yention will show a gathering of different
races, colors, and nationalities such as has
never before been Sc n in the quiet city Of
Richmond.
During the last year In, Knights of
Labor have made an invasion Of the South,
aud the organization Of white ard colored
labo:ers has progressed with remarkable
rapidly. Thomas u. Bnrry, OF the Gen.
eral Execuiive Board. has Just returned
from an extended tour in that section OF
the country, and expresses hims II ms very
sanguine OF the beneficial results which
wi / follow the organization OF the planta-
ton and mill bands Of the South.
The knights of Labor form ono OF
the few labor organizations which are
not directly orpos ed 10 chino i imnli-g
grafton or labor IN this country. A.
William III. Bailey, of the General Executive
Board, remarked iha Other day: Il wish
that the kni ,hts OF Labor were better nm.
derstood 81 tie outside pubic. We haze
no antipathy to the Chinese or any Oh er
immigrants. The people Of the united
states have said that the Chinese must go
but We ray thai tie system must 20 the
system 81 importing Chinese er any olher:
1aborefS under contract. This II Whist ~
are opposed q. Iet I II obr oxious con.
tract system to abolished, end No wsn vel