Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-05

THE KNIGHTS IN KANE
1rowth OF the Order In D,r..
OF the State.
A Boston Herald representative h.. hoo,
interviewing Rodney z. Eos. of Auhu,,
secretary OF the organization of the KNIGHT.
OF Labor of Maine. Mr.. Foss said. ..rha
laoor question is getting to be the all.ab.orb-
ing one in the country Here, in Auburn
eerytnin9 Is harmonious, and I see no
s'sns oi trouble. Everybody seem, TO be
Iavoraoiy Impressed with the Knights, and
ehere Is NO opposition to them. The best
,neh nave become members. We number in
4uoofn membership of about 1900; in
Lewiston. about 2O00. The order is growing
.a.' shu assemblies are being organized all
over the State. They are confined princi.
paily to Cumberland, Androscoggin' on.
lord, Sagadahoc, Lincoln and Knox countie,
Ihirty-fve assemblies are in Conyr.ssman
Dinsiey's districts. In Kennebec county
there are eleven assemblies. There are four
10 Gardiner and four in Lewiston. The
statement that has been made in the news
papers that the order numbers 20. 900 MEM
oers Is erroneous There are not over 1000
members IN the State. There are 67 assem-.
Diies. do not see why the member shin
should not reach $1,000. however, if the ords
continues to grow as it has for the past two
months. There have been no demands
made on the shoe manufacturers here, who
seem to be favorably impressed with the
order. Worklngmen are satisfied with the
wages they are getting, as we'll as the num-
Der Of working hours. The lO-hour system
prevails. The Knights of Labor do not be-
lieve in boycatting, only as a last resort. In
se'tilng troubles we prefer arbitration. In
norway ana Skowhegan, shortly after the
meeting OF the district assembly Jan. 9Th,
Splnney Co. and Keene Bros. were notified
that boycott would be placed upon them I'M
less they came to terms before Jan. l4th
!hev did not, and the boycott is now upon
Them"
Mr.. Foss was member of the State com
mittee OF the greenback party before it died,
OF was swallowed up by the democratic party.
Col. Chas. Il. Emerson and Ossian r. Phil
iips, two other prominent greenbackers, are
leaders among the Knights of Labor in this
State. One or two local clergymen have
espoused the rights of the working classes,
aud in their pulplts are counseling resistance
to oppression of the wage laborer if conces-
sions are not made by his employer.
viii Fowler Re.ixns
Speculation is active among democrats re-
gardlng Mr.. Fowler's probable course in the
event of his confirmation. Will he resign or
serve out his commission? Democrats who
pretend to know report him rs being in an
unhappy frame of mind contingent on the dis
favor wherewith his administration is re.
garded by his party, and apprehensve that
his relations with Ansnias Morton will lead
to further embarrassing complications.
1t these representations are correct it is
not altogether improbable that Mr.. Fowler
may recover his judgment as to the attrac
tions of private life and seek the immun-
ity from official cares and purturbations
which private's station offers. 1t will be
remembered that the announcement of his
appointment was accompanied with his per-
sonal declaration that he was not candidate,
an admission without apparent significance
at the time yet susceptible of meaning if he
should now retire under the gallant plea that
he accepted the Office with reluctance AID re-
signed without regret. These considerations
which, as will he observed, are wholly of a
private character must appeal with strong
force to Mr.. Fowler in favor of his retire.
ment. There are also other reasons which
augment the advIsablity of such step.
The entire democracy, with perhaps
the exception of Ananias and HE
personal attaches. would gladly contribute
their individual quota of advice and assist
ance to accelerate the event and their united
eff rt to lend dignity and grace to its accom-
plishment. None of the ceremonies appro-
pirate to the occasion would be lacking and
the usual manifestations of grief would be
literally supplied Yet withal. MIR. Fowler's
conception of the requirements of duty may
not agree with the general sentiment of his
party, and there is much diversity of opinion
among dissatisfied democrats as to the proper
course to be pursued to induce his retire
ment.
The 'dumb founded democrats" section
of the democratic BODY, who believe in SOW
ing the dragons teeth with the expectation
of reaping mince meat, are particularly out
spoken and hostile in their views. Some of
the extremists are oold enough to suggest the
free use of dynamite to meet the emergency.
and as the tendency of dynamite is to work
downward, it is argued that the end would
abundantly justify the means. Others favor
moral suasion as a tentative, and force IS q
last resort. There is one important question
in this connection which we fear democrats
have not considered, and that is, who can be
found to fill the vacancy if Mr.. Fowler re-
tires.
Chairman Lynch st 'nds first in the civil
service line of promotion, yet the prob
abilities of his acceptance OF the trust are 30
slight that he is not to be considered as
candidate. Mr.. E. X. Pierce being suitably
provided for is out of the list, and
Ananias Merton being done for is removed
from consideration. Col. Tom Murphy has
been mentioned AZ uniting the qualities Of a
postmaster in his person to high degree,
vet bis adherence Of office holding has been
so stoutly pronounced that he would hardly
accept.
As will be seen the difficulties of finding
suitable successor to MIR. Fowler will doubt
less be taken as an argument for his remain
ing. Still, as he was speculated into Office,
he may be speculated out. His decision in
the matter will probably be made public be-
fore many days and until then, the "dumb-
founded democrats" are respectfully advised
to repress their Impotence.
DEMOCRAT.
HALLOwELL.