The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-27
They Are Strikes, Boycotts, Southwestern
Troubles, Relations with Trades-Unions,
aud Institution of New Assemblies.
Committees Announced and the Work
Of the Assembly Fairly Started.
A Proposition to Recall Commissions Of All
Organizers and to Make Complete Read
justment of that Branch Of the Order.
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
Mr.. Powderly States the Objects for Which
the Convention Was Called.
CLEVELAND. May 2-The Knights of Labor
were up late last night, and, in consequence, it
was rather late this morning before they were
astir. II was 920 o'clock when Mr.. Powderly
left the hotel and it was 1890 o'clock be-
fore the General Assembly was raped to order
by the chief executive In the meantime the
delegates congregated in groups in the hall and
corridors, discussing labor topics When the call
for the convention was made by Mr.. Powderly,
he only enumerated five cases Of complaint that
were to be adjusted. These were boycotts,
strikes, the Southwest troubles, the relation of
the Knights of Labor to other organizations, and
the institution of new assemblies. Since the del
egates have arrived, many Of them have plans
that they would like to spring upon the special
session Whether these will be discussed or laid
upon the table cannot be determined as yet. One
of those plans is to agitate the subject of the
government regulating the railroads. A mem
Der of the order from Allegheny. Pa, has pre-
pared long address upon this subject and the
delegate from his district will try to secure
hearing for him. The gentleman's address also
deals with the project of national arbitration
board Another matter was made public by free
discussion this morning. For some time past
the executive board have not been satisfied with
some of the organizers of the order, and several
have had charges preferred against them and
their commissions recalled. A number of or
ganizers are not giving satisfaction, 80 TO pre-
vent hard feeling by removing these men. it is
proposed to have the commission of every organ
izer, from the chief down. recalled. A reporter
asked Mr.. Richard Trevellick the chief organ
izer about the matter and that gentleman said:
1T is true that such plan is being agitated.
Much Of the trouble in the order rising from
rapidly increasing membership and the installa-
tion of our assemblies is due to poor organiza-
ton. 1t is not the fault OF either Mr.. Powderly
or the exective board. In making appointments
they must rely upon the recommendations of the
district assemblies. They do not cannot, know
all the men recommended and appointed. A
few weeks ago, in one case, met an organizer
who, regret TO say, was under the influence of
liquor. asked him where he was going, and he
informed me that he was going to institute an
assembly of 500 striking Polacks and Hungar
iAns. This ia against the rules Of the
order, as we can admit no strikers while
they are out. / told him so, but he re-
piled that he held commission as
organizer, and would do as he pleased I told
him he could institute the assembly, but it
would never receive charter. Only few days
ago. at reception rendered me by ladies, an or
ganizer was intoxicated We need sober, in
dustrious representative men in these positions.
1t would make hard feelings to ask for their COM
missions, so it is proposed to make them ante up,
from the chief organizer down. This can be
done by Mr.. Powderly alone, or by the executive
board, under instructions from the General AS
semby. New organizers will be commissioned
as fast as possible, and will be selected because
of their fitness for the position"
The convention hall on either side is lined
with tables, at which the delegates sit At the
end of the room, facing Ontario street, between
two windows, is the chair Of the master work
man. Secretary Turner has three tables at the
side, at one of which he sits at the next are two
assistants and at the third a stenographer. At
the opposite end of the hall is the chair of
Richard srifiths, of Chicago, general worthy
foreman of the order. and next to Mr. Powderly'
| in Office.
The first business of the morning session was
the acceptance of the report of the committee
on credentials. The new delegates were then
admitted to the hall and the obligation admins
tered. Delegates were admitted only from such
districts were represented at the convention
held last year in Hamilton, Ont, this being a
special session Of that General Assembly, and
districts since instituted not being eligible to
membership in the existing body.
Mr.. Powderly's address was then delivered ex-
temporaneousiy. He referred the delegates to
the call to learn what business was to be brought
forward enO taxing up the nVo SUBJECTS or
strikes boycotts, labor troubles, difficulties with
trades unions, and the increasing membership
one by one, he advised most careful thought and
full discussion upon all questions. He asked
that harmony, prudence and discretion should
predominant in all matters and that the affairs
of the convention should be acted upon with
consideration and dispatch. Regarding the nu-
merous strikes, he said THE multiplicity of
strikes that have occurred In the last six months
have greatly lowered our order in the public
0ofi OF nib
attributable to difficulties with which we should
not be credited but on the other hand, many
that are charged to us we arc responsible for
In closing he said: II will 90 nowhere will
see no one will attend to other business until
this convention is over. / propose to stay here
and finish this business if it takes all summer
and l want you to be prepared to stay with me-"
The best part of the address. treating of matters
entirely within the province OF the order, cannot
be made public
Mr.. Powderly resumed his seat amid prolonged
applause, and, upon motion, appointed standing
committees of five upon each of the following
subjects: Laws, strikes, boycotts, relation of
Knights of Labor to other organizations. A spe-
cial committee of five was appointed to whom
was referred the addresses of the president and
| secretary Of the National Woman's Christian
Temperance Union. A committee of fve was
also selected to take action upon the matter of
the organization of the American Manufactur-
ers' Union. as proposed by Mr.. Edwin Norton in
his address on Tuesday. AT o'clock the con-
vention took recess until o'clock to. morrow
morning so as to give ample time to the CON-
mittees to do the work laid before them.
After dinner the great body of Knights left
their hotels to visit places of interest in the city
many of them making pilgrimages to Garield's
| tomb at Lakeview Cemetery
The committees appointed at the morning ses-
sion got to work in different hotels and halls,
taking care that the localities should be kept Sc
cret The executive board held q session at the
headquarters in the Forest City House, while
the boycott committee was at work in Room 90
of the same hotel The committee on strikes
found refuge in the Prospect House,
where the causes of the late lockouts were ex-
a'nined into by the members Tho committee
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