Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-04-09
LABOR MATTERS.
A Manly Address.

~
General Master Workman Powderly has 10
sued secret circular 70 the noble oruer Oh th.
Knights of Labor OF America, which has Just
been made public. Mr. Powdcrly instructs the
secretary of each assembly a. call full meet
inc and read before II the sentiments when
follow. The address opens with an order 10
cease initiating new members untI the ftla-
tions of capital and labor shall become less
strained than at the present time, ana con-
tinues
"Io attempt 10 win concessions or gains
with our present raw, undisciplned member.
ship, would be Ike hurting an unorganlzed
mob against Wcll-drilled regular army. IL Is
not fair to the older assemblies to bring in
new members, pick up their quarrcls as soon
as organized. and have them expect pecuniary
aid from those who helped build the order up
for a noble purpose
After dwelling al some length upon the adj
disability of taking in new members al present
the address continues:
ave must not frtter away our strength
and miss the opportunity OF present success
In the struggle against capital by running into
useless strikes. To the cardinal principles OF
the order We must add another patience.
You have bad patience for Years. aud bad not
the knights OF Labor appeared upon the scene
you would still bc waiting Your scales OF
prices must stand as they are for the present,
il YOU cannot raise them by any other process
than a strike. iOu must submit 10 injustice
az the hands Of the employer in patience for a
while longer Bide well your time. Find out
how much YOU are eutitlcd %, and then the
tribunal of arbitration will settle TIE rest.
Mr.. POWderly then cautions the assemblies
against receiving into their ranks employers,
and warns the Knights of Labor that the
politician IS planning night and day now 10
catch the Knights OF Labor for the advantages
Of himself and party, and adds that 10 use
the name of the order in a political contest Is
criminal and must not occur again. Referring
tn ba air lif hot IN no Z ~
Assemblies Of the Knights II Labor must
not strike for the eight-hOur 81 stem on Mas !
under the impression that they are Obeying
order, from headquarters, for such an order
was not and VIII not be given. out OF the
600 0COD OF people in the United States and
Canada our order has possibly 100000. Can
we mould the sentiments OF the millions in
favor of the short hour plan before May l. 1t
Is nonsense 10 think Of il"
After speaking OF the qualities which the
officers of assemblies should possess, and
expecting the Knights 10 elect honest men Of
even temperament Mr. Powdery continues:
while | write a dispatch is handed me in
which read these words "Ihey discharged
our brother and We struck, for you know our
motto is AN injury 10 one is the concern of all,
But IT Is not WISE TO 1NJCRE ALL FOR THE
SAKE OF ONE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAR BET
TER TO CONTINUE At work and properly in
yestigated the matter, bringing 1t before every
known tribunal. than 10 have struck
and the Knight of Labor, Mr.. Powderly SAYS:
IL warn our members against hasty, ill-cOn-
sidcrCd action. The church will not interfere
with Us So long a We maintain the law. II
the law Is wrong ii is our duty 10 change H.
I am ashamed t. meet with Clcrgymcn and
others 10 tell them that our order is composed
OF lawabiding, intelligent men. while the next
dispatch brings the news Of some petty boy
colt or strike
In conclusion the Master Workman says;
II write this circular 10 lay before the order
the exact condition o. things. / am neither
physically nor mentally capable Of performing
the Nork required Of me. ! am willing TO do
my part, but not 20 be asked 10 maintain a
false position before the world any longer.
one Of two things must take place-either the
Local and district assemblies OF the order must
obey its laws, or must be permitted % resign
from vocation which obliSes me b play one
part before the public and another 10 our
members. J ,ay 10 tho world that the knights
OF Labor DO not approve of or encourage
strikes. and N one day dispatches come 10 me
from Troy. New York, Manchester, \ow
Haven, CHICAGO, Cincinnati Lynchburg, Va;
springfield, O., and Montreal announcing
Strikes. II Is impossible for human or human
nature To stand the strain any longer. ! must
have the assistance 81 the order or my most
earnest efforts will fail. VIII / haycf II So
strikes must be avoided, boycotts mus, Dee
avoided Those who boast must be checked
by their assemblies. No move must bc madr
until the court OF last resort has been appealed
TO. Threats of violence must not be made
Politicians must Dee pushed up or driven out
Obedience 10 the laws II knighthOOd must
have preference over those Of any other order.
II these things are done the next five years
viii witness the conn lcte cmancI alton Il
mankind from the curse OF monopoly In our
memhcis We require secrecy, obedience assist
ance, patti 'ncc and courage. If with these aids
you strengthen my hands, / viii continue in
the worN. II YOU 90 not desire 10 assist rue in
this way then select a man better qualified ID
obey your viii. and viii retire in his favor.