The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-31
GRAVE CHARGES OF Ak. OIL.
Sam LefiingwelPs Story of Conspiracy
Among Members of the Order.
4 Plot to Assassinate Powderly and Secretary
AAyton--Some of the Secrets of the Re-
cent General Assemb.y's Sessions.

Mr.. Sam L. Lefingwel, who one of the dele
gates from this city to the General Assembly
Of the Knights of Labor at Richmond and pretty
roughy handled by that body toward the close of the
session in an interview said a Journal reporter,
yesterday: ~ have certainly been given some notori'
ETY. and from surface view, such kind as would ap-
pear rather unenviahe. would prefer rather not to
shield myself for feel injury from the action of
the General Assembly in striking my name from the
roll Of delegates Among those whose golden opinions
cherish my character and career are too well
known to be tainted furnished by the action of
set of plaeebrokers and ountebanks such did the
closing acts Of the general body of the noble and holy
order. Yes there is history connected with the whole
transaction Several years ago, while Robert I. Lay
ton of Pttsburg, ytreasurer, the execu
tive board was forced to suspend some New York
Knights-revoke charter, believe. 1t matters not,
in this connection what it was for; but James Z.
Quinn the coadjutor of Justus Schwab, Tom Nc
CURE ard few other worthless, were of the gang.
The assassination of honest Bob Layton plotted
Why, party detailed TO catch Bob the Jersey
City ferry coming to New York, and throw him over
board Some one suggested that Powderly might be
In Bob's company. Well, throw them both over
board was the order given. Bob and Terry crossed
the river bnt on the boat expected; the assas
sins were foiled. Terry recovered from that
shock He has been the willing tool of that gang aver
SINCE
There was a sort of snob who lived in another
city who syrnpathizsd with the Home Club gang. He
lad purpose in IL however. Fred Turner was elect
ed at Cincinnati To FL Bob Laytons place. He APP
pointed Harry TAYLOR. bright particular star In the
Home Club his FIRST assistant At the Hamilton
sion, Delegates from D. A. 40 tall of the Home Club
came with whetted knives for Powderlys scalp. They
49, with
however for he ruled arbitrarily in their favor on
svery point He was saved
AT the Cleveland session Powderly showed himself
totally inadequate to preside impartially general
assault was made by the conspirators trade union
SIN prnc1ple, and upon its advocates as not be-
ing faithful to knighthood Parliamentary rules were
framed for the protection of the minority, but the
minority did not have a ghost of a show. Terry
didn't know anything about parliamentary rules, or
time with the Home Club. right wrong. All the
business of that special session illegal unauthor
lied not justified By any ss kind Of law ESTABLISHED or
bly, it was, but you will discover the
emergency as we go further along At
added TO the scherning syndicate-Charles II. Litch
man. the marble. headed rtongued advocate from
Massachusetts, This peculiar and pathetic friend of
suffering humanity lifted his voice and told how little
use he had for trade-unionism. Charley par:icu
lary happy on the emergency racket. the purpose
AMONG other unlawful acts passed at Cleveland
for committee to revise the constitution. Now.
that instrument provided for its amendment altera-
ton: that all amendments should be submitted to the
local assemblies sixty days prior to the general session
For their inspection and consideration Charley Ltch
was made chairman of that committee.
I'm July last Mr. Powderly, writing in
to request that the work of the committee be sent
out TO the locals according to law said the idea is
good one and will see that it is done All this is
necessary to complete the history of vile transac
ton as ever disgraced the record of Tweed ring
She broadway surface railroad
SIN the Richmond convention there were ISL dele
gates The Home Club has increased largely in pro-
portions since the Cleveland session, for D. A. 40
showed up seventy five delegates with the inevitable
Tom McGui-e at its head, and colored brother
whom Tom attempted to instrument to
make an entire change in the traditional
s0s se sDasns PowdsTvs 0io ntidaton and
weakness after he had informally called the General
Assembly to order and Governor Fitzhugh Lee had
rendered an address of welcome he allowed Tom
Mcclure to force the colored man on the rostrum
where he read three four pages of incoherent hog
wash introducing Powderly to the General Assembly.
ton got down to business. Powderly appointed his
standing committees and gave Mr. Litchman the
craftsmanship of the committee on laws. It will be
fnembered that Ltchman was already chairman of the
committee revision of the constitution, and it was
good trick to have his work the latter referred to
q committee of which he was to be- chairman
Eat the first favorable opportunity arose in my
place and inquired of general master workman why
the work of the committee revision of the con-
stitution had not been sent out to the local
5lies for their inspection and instruction of delegates
according to law Mr. Powderly, with that same dis
position to conform TO the wishes of the consprators
simply replied that it would be forthcoming in due
time It must be remembered in this connection that
Litchman mad been secretary treasurer at time,
and afterwsrd, secretary of the insurance depart
ent in which latter Office, at the close of his term,
he had turned up defaulter. Litchman had
vengeance in his eye,-, and gwore to have the
burg, for showing up his rascality. Well finally
Ltchroan arose and proceeded 20 read the
approved by the committee on law, of which he was
chairman. No attention paid to my reminder
that this document should have been submitted to the
locals. The very superior Litchman read in detail
the opening provisions of that amended instrument
which provided that the general master workman the
roEthy foreman and other general officers should be
slected for period of three years; that the
office of secretary-treasurer should be abolished
rather cut in twain: that there should be general
secrtery and a general treasurer elected; that the
Office Of secretary of insurance should be abolished
and that his duties should devolve upon the general
secretary; that the general executive board should
consist of six members IN addition to the general
master workman and that the salaries of all these
worthless should be princely placing them forever be-
,ss;reS Nv aca from the ar1nons 5nt;eS of tbo; @
spective alotments. The General Assembly, under
the lasa of Pcwderly passed favorably upon this
port with simple amendment of two years. instead
of three, for the term Of Office.
Follow me, please, and look out for the 'emerg
sncy' of the Cleveland session. After Litch-
had succeeded in getting the emerg
ency part of this artistically manipulated
constitution through its passage he then concluded
that the remainder. being long, should be referred
to The sa assemblies, to report at the next session.
An election followed, and the result of the years
manipulation trickery and chicanery follows:
Powdery, general master workman for two years, at
salary of $5, 600 per year; Lchman. general
tary for two years, az a salary of So 600; Turner
general treasurer for two years at salary of 81 O0O
six members of the executive board, with Tom
Mcclure at the head, at salary of 81 per day
and expenses or 81 400 per year. each For de-
nouncing this trick was selected as victim. In ex
pressing convictions in public place, informed
that spotter my track Immediately and
epenly denounced the spotter: and, in terms
phatic than elegant expressed the of my
tempt for the ones who sent him-whether of the
Home Club the executive board, or Powderly him.
SSH now again, publicly and alphabetically denounce
uuRencpled and treacherous to the trusts imposed
upon them, any and all who have had anything to do
with the dirty business of eevatng themselves into
position and participants in this dsgraceful rape
upon the treasury Of the General Assembly. If this
10 treason, let their make the most of it.
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