New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-05-11
MR. pOVDERLY TALKS SENSE.

r. y
blies of the Knights OF Labor pr'h.co vi
the third page this morning Is 1uii oi socu
sense, and if the order follows his ADVICE IL WI
avoid many pitfalls. AS GeDeral Assembly,
has been called for the purpose OF amehui"s
the constitution, it cannot yet DC kho"h
whether the conservative or the radical element
will hereafter control the organization. IL Is
known that the turbulent wing, represented oy
mon like Martin Irons, intend to make nght
for mastery, and judging from their course III
.ho ,ost Il cannot be doubted that their sue
zoos would involve trouble for the order and the
oourtrv Sbould Mr. POwderly and his tenn
nerate hackers win the day, and secure 1or the
General Executive Board such measure OF
mower as will enable it to enforce Its pohcy
noon the assemblies, better prospect VIII be
oncned. Hitherto the Importance OF the Oeh-
eral Master W orkman's views has been lessened
NV the fact that he could only recommend, but
could not issue positive commands. In the
Southwestern strike his authority was dellDer-
atelv mt aside by Martin Irons, and thus the
curious situation was presented of an organi-
cation the official head of which was wholly UNI
able TO direct its course OF even to protect it
from its own plumbers.
Pnwderly has, however, exhibited much sounder
Judgment than in his letters to people and
newspapers outside OF the order lie percel'es
clearly and denounces frankly the abuses which
have grown upand especially the abuse of boy
cotting. Just what he means by saying that
the bovcott came from the capitalists we do not
know. Such q remark, moreover, is incongru-
ous in n document the spirit of which is so
plainly hostile to the vulgar demagoglsm
which has been employed to lead labor astray'
The only boycott which Mr.. Powderly apr proves
is one against rum, and he might have made
his observations on that head still stronger
since drink remains the most serious obstacle
TO the elevation and rOspeiity OF the working
men everywhere, aud since until the working
men have self-denial enough to stop that leak
in their savings it cannot be expected that they
will manifest the frmness and endurance
necessary for complete success in other direc-
tions. The Master Workman expresses con-
tempt for the men who talk OF buying guns
and DYNAMITE" and tells them plainly that II
they have not got brains enough to WORK ou
their relief with the ballot in their hands they
will never accomplish anything by resorting tt
violence He advises the assemblies TO eXpc
all men who after being Walncu IciSiSu IL
repeating Anarchist nonsense"
The circular is thoroughly wholesome IN tone
and shows that if Mr.. POwderly possessed the
mower his office ought to secure him he would
very quickly put the Knights of Labor on
n,actical basis and weed out the mischief
makers and extremists generally. 1t is encour-
aging to learn that the first circular has beer
we'll received by most of the assemblies, more
over, for this proves that the majority OF th'
members do not favor the rule or ruin policy OF
Martin Irons, but believe in reasonable and con
scryative measures. 1t may be hoped that I'M
collapse Of the Southwestern strikes VIII 81
discrcdjt the turbulent faction that they vii
be unable to effect their purpose at the specia
session of the General Assembly. Certani!
the policy adv coated by Mr.. Powderly Is tn
only one which can bling the order rea! min
ence and power for good. If it should be foun'
necessary to expel the advocates OF violence
and to relegatc them to the society OF the Anar
chis.s. toward whom they are tending tn
organization would lose nothing by the change
The fact is that the knights Of Labor have tn
opportunity of submitting themselves to tn
puidance of one of the clelrest-headed leader
the cause of labor has had, and If the
fail to take advantage of it and surrender I
the Martin Irons faction they will go from on
trouble to another until their order splits t
pieces. 1t remains to be seen with how muc
wisdom they will arrange their affairs.