The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-04-08
THE LABOR TROUBLES.
A Notable Circular to the knights of
Labor Issued by Grand Master Work.
man POwderly-He Severely Criticises
the Brethren for not Exercising More
Patience and ThT .atens to Resign.

"A NOtADlo circular 60 the knights OF
Labor Issued by Grand Master Work
man Powderly-He Severely Criticises
the Brethren for not Exercising More
Patience and Threatens to Resign.
ST. LOUIS, March 26.-Grand Master
Workman Powderly has issued n secret cir
cular "To the Noble Order OF the knights
OF Labor OF America" He instructs the
secretary OF each assembly to call a full
meeting and read before it the sentiments
which follow. The address opens with an
order to the assembly to cease initiating
new members until the relations of capital
and labor shall become less strained than
at the present time, and continues:
ITO attempt to win concessions or gains
with out present raw, undisciplined men,
bers would be like hurling an unorganized
mob against well-drilled regular army.
1t is not fair to the older assemblies to
bring in new members, pick up their quar-
rels as soon as organized and have them
expect pecuniary aid from those who
helped to build the order up for a noble
purpose" After dwelling at some length
upon the inadvisability OF taking in new
members at present, the address continues
"We must not fritter away our strength
and miss the opportunity OF present enc
cess in the struggle against capital by rush
ing into useless strikes. TO the cardinal
principles OF the order must add
another-patience. You have had pa
thence for years, and had not the
Knights OF Labor appeared upon the scene
you would still be waiting. Your scales of
prices must stand al they are for the pres
ent ii you cannot raise them by any other
process than a strike. You must submit
to injustice at the hands of the employer in
patience for IA while longer. Bide well your
time, find out how much you are justly en-
titled to, and the tribunal of arbitration
will Sntt 10 fbn Mr. han
cautions the assemblies against receiving
into their rarks employers, and warns the
Knights OF Labor that the politician is
planning night and day how to catch the
Knights OF Labor for the advantage
OF himself and party, and adds
that to use the name OF the order
in q political contest is criminal, and must
not occur again. Referring to the eight
hour movement, the circular says: "As-
semblies OF Knights of Labor must not
strike for the eight-hour system on May /,
under the impression that they are obeying
orders from headquarters, for such an
der was not and will not be given. Out OF
the sixty million people in the United
States and Canada, our order has possi-
bly, three million. Can we mold the senti-
ments OF the millions in favor OF the short
hour plan before May 1? 1t is nonsense to
think OF it." After speaking OF the quail
ties which the officers of assemblies
should possess, and expecting the
Knights to elect honest men of
even temperament, Mr.. Powderly continues:
''While write, dispatch is handed me in
which | read these words: They discharg.
ed our brother and we struck; for you know
our motto is, An in Jury to one is the con-
cern of ALL But it is not wise to injure
all for the sake OF one. 1t would have
been far
BETTER TO CONTINUE AT WORK,
and properly investigate the matter, bring
ing it before every known tribunal, than to
have struck" Speaking Of the relations
between the church and the Knights of
Labor, Mr.. Powderly says: Il warn our
members against hasty, ilconsidered ac-
ton. The church will not interfere with us
SO long as we maintain the law. Ii the law
is wrong, it is our duty to change it.
l am ashamed to meet with clergy
men and others to tell them thai
our order is composed OF law.
abiding, intelligent men, while the next dis
patch brings the news OF some petty boy
colt or strike. l write this circular to lay
before the order the exact condition OF
things. | am neither physically nor men,
tally capable OF performing the work re-
Quired OF me. am willing to do my part,
but not to be asked to maintain false
position before the world any longer. One
of two things must take place-either the
local and district assemblies or the order
must obey it's laws or must be permitted
to resign from a vocation which obliges me
to play one part before the public and
another to our members. l say to the
world that the Knights of Labor do not
approve OF or encourage strikes, and in
one day dispatches came to me from Troy,
N. Y. Manchester, N. H., Chicago, Ill.,,
Cincinnati, Ohio, Lynchburg, Va,
Springfield, Ohio, and Montreal. 1t
is impossible for human nature to
stand the strain any longer. I must have
the assistance OF the order, or my most
earnest efforts will fail. Will have it? If
SO, strikes must be avoided; boycotts must
| beavoided. Those who boast must be check
ed by their assemblies. No move must be
made until the court OF last resort has been
| appealed to. Threats of violence must not
be made. Politicians must be hushed up
or driven out. Obedience to laws ofknight-
hood must have preference over those Of
| any other order. Ii these things are done
the next five years will witness the complete
emancipation OF mankind from the curse
cf monopoly. In our members we require
| secrecy, obedience assistance. and courage.
| Ii with these aids you strengthen me my
| hands will continue in the work. If you do
not desire to assist me in this way, then
! select a man better qualified to obey your
will. and 1 will retire in his favor"