The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-04-21

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Of mine, which (since 1t was issued) has
been made public, These letters bear me
out in what l have said, so that you
can understand from the tenor Of the
circular the character Of our organization.
When stated that our organization was
willing to meet our contestants before the
courts had no idea that waa making a
wrong statement. believe that the law
Of the land is higher than any organization
and that when man violates the law oil
the land either as knight Of Labor or as
private citizen, or Rmember OF Ia corpora
ton, he should be punished for il, and
that his connection with an organization
should be no shield for him. And have
thought on the other hand that the man
who violRteB the law and who is worth
millions OF dollars should suffer the same
as the poor man. l have made that state
ment and the people have seen fit to see
in 1t an invitation to anarchy, Ii that Is
anarchy, then what in the name oil God 10
law.
Mr.. BurnB-The country generally land
| doubt not properly seems to place q
good deal Oi confidence in your integrity,
your intelligence and your patriotism,
Being disposed to consider questions prRC.
Iically, ask II you have given thought to
the question OF legislative remedy Tor
the evils to which you have alluded.
SEEKING REMEDY.
Mr. POwderly-T haYe never worked II
out properly, have thought 1t over but
nave not followed it to It's conclusion,
Mr. Burus-Will you be able during the
lifting Oi this committee to give US your
views on the question Of q remedy for the
wrong2
Mr., Powderly-I think | will be able,
because in that time you will have an
ltticlal declaration from chiefmeu oi our
organization on that point,
MIR. Blrns-l would suggest further
hat II may bs well TO consider what In
lour judgment can be Constitutionally
lone and what might be done and what
Iught to be done by amendments to the
constitution.
Mr., Powderly-Is shall doso, and l thank
you Tor the suggestion.
Mr., Crain-I find 1t stated In the bill oil
grievances produced by you that the
nen asked lor redress time and time again.
hat the Executive Committee OF the
Knights OF Labor sought to settle the
natter and that the reply OF the General
superintendent OF the Missouri Pacific
railway refusing to agree TO conference
VI proposed can be produced.
aMr PoWderly-Yes. lam told also that
sIOng the Iron Mountain Railroad and
Ilong other roads In parts Of Texas the
Supsrlntendents and fOremen are interest
I'd in the company stores, and that the
nen are compelled TO deal in these stores
The employees are not told in go many
Sords that they must deal there, but they
ire reminded that 1t Is to their interest to
10 so. II q murnur Of complaint is TO
reach tho ear OF the President OF the
company II must go through the Superin.
,endent, and the man will ba discharged
As soon as he uttels word OF complaint
The men whose money Is invested In the
railroad know nothing about this. In
many places double prices are charged in
.hese stores,
Mr., BuuhRnan-Will you be able 10
furnish specific instances OF this kind.
Mr.. PoWderly-The committee will find
proofs OF all these things. The men also
complain that ConviCts are brought from
;he penltentiary in Texas TO work on the
railroads, and that striped suits may be
ieen side by side with honest labor In
track repairing. This statement has
been made to me by members Of the com.
mittee.
Nlr. BuChanan-You promised to fur.
nish the committee with some views as 10
legislative remedy for trouble OF this
kind, will you also in considering that
question take into view the complex
dature Of this government, and the di.
vtded responsibility between federal and
State legislation SO as TO make your sug
Sestion such as the National Legislature
can duly act upon itP
Mr.. Powderly-I will do 80.
Mr.,Crain--The principle on which your
organization Is based Is that OF bringing
capital and labor into closer relations2
Mr.. Powderly-Yes.
Mr.. Crain-And this Btrike went into
effect on the authority OF district Assem-.
blies, not on that OF the general organiza.
tionP
Mr.. Powderly.-our general organization
never gave It's general officers any power
Jver the question OF strikes.
Atthis point the committee adjourned.