The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-06-21
POLITICAL PLOTTING.
TRUSTWORTHY" MEN WANTED to-
WORK AGAINST THE KNIGHTS.

PHILADELPHIA, June l9-The following
secret circular of Grand Master Workman
Powderly has just come TO light 1t was
issued from this city and dated July ~:
To THE ORDER EVERY WHERE, GREETING:
A member of the order employed by
wealthy corporation piacos the following
letter in my hands 1t is printed in circular
form, and the presumption is that similar
letters have been placed in the hands of
other reliable, trustworthy" men. The
name of the firm sending out the document
is withheld in order to shield the member
TO whom it was sent 1t is quite evident
that the sender of tho document did not
know that the recipient was Knight of
Labor, This letter OF instruction reads:
lGUNFIDENTIAL.l
DEAR SIR: You have been named as a
reliable, trustworthy man in whom conf
dence can be placed. You have it in your
power to confer lasting benefit upon your
employer and ut the same time advance
your own interests We wish to know some.
thing concerning the secret workings of the
Knights of Labor You are urged to JOIN
that . body and become Thoroughly in
formed upon the minutes and details of the
management II you can secure an election
as delegate to the annual coHclave of the su-
preme assembly of that order, it will be
gratifying TO those who furnish employment
to you II while acting in the capacity of
delegate you secure the passage of radical
or revolutionary legislation We will not re
gard it as bein. inlmlcal to our interests.
II after your admission TO the knights of
Labor You succeed in initiating the most
prominent local politicians of your neigh
borhood regardless of party, we will feel
that you are working III the interest of your
employers. We feel that. having thrown
out these hints, you will at once place your
self IN communication with those who will
secure for you an election TO the association
named We have given the keynote to fu-
ture action and will expect faithful per
Torrance of duty on your part Should
you be discharged for any action you my
take i'll the labor movement, your time will
80 On.
Mr.. fowderly then declares that the enc
mics of the order are evidently 5, hemlng its
death through political trickery and an at
tempt to pack the next convention. Against
this he warns the members and urges them
To be sure and put true men on guard He
closes his circular as follows:
BE on Your guard ct every point; make
no mistakes Cniniiuenced by friendship or
hatred you will select members OF cool lu1g-
ment and wise counsel Remember that
many a dishonorable person works at an
honorable calling In selecting representa-
tives see to it that the member is as honora-
BILE as the calling. Bear in mind that the
question TO be discussed at the Richmond
general assembly will be. Shall Intelligent
prudent action on the part Of organized
labor manage the affairs of the worker,
or will we allow the inaninlate thing called
capital to regulate our affairs for u.s. Let
neither calumny, fear. ridicu!e coercion,
tiattery, bribery, friendship hatred, reliG-
ioUs CT political feelings influence you in SO,
lecting the representatives to the next gen
cral assembly.
''Remember the warning. Put none bat
knights of Labor, true and tried, on guard
at Richmond
ISignedl T. v PowpERLY."