The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-10-14
ORGANIZED LABOR.
Annual Address OF General Master
Workman POwderly, or the
knights OF Labor.
Recent Strikes Touched Upon, and the
Blame for Deeds Of Violence
Located.


upon footing so safe aud sure that no assaults
from its enemies can iniure It, II we ara not
guided by that experience, If we fail to read
Alright the signs Of the times, and we close this
General Assembly without having improved on
the past, we will fail to properly represent those
who sent us here
The rapid increase in organization since the
Hamilton session OF the General Assembly was
most marvellous. An examination Of the re-
ports OF the General Secretary Treas for the
year ending July L. 1856, will show that in one
year 4,0js assemblies have been organized. The
new members suddenly brought together
could not be properly assimilated. Thousands
have been attracted toward the order through
mere curiosity; others have come for purely
selfish motives while the great bulk Of our new
recruits have joined us for the good that they
could do.
Quite few havs entered our order for the
purpose Of redressing their existing wrongs,
and, before waiting to learn anything concern
ing the duty OF the knight TO the order, have
plunged into rash and ill-considered strikes
The troubles coming from this direction began
while the last General Assembly was in session.
The car-drivers of St. Louis were organized I'M
der promise from the Organizer that they would
receive aidr unstinted. in case OF a strike. Even
strike. Their proceedings were characterized
by such utter disregard tor our laws and teach
ings, that the paid and known agents OF their
employers the detectives had no difficulty in
securing the passage OF motions of n violent
character. IL is an established fact that men
who were employed by detectkxe agencies stood
up on the floor of that assembly, made infam-
matory speeches urging men TO deeds
OF violence, and urged that the property
OF the street-car companies be destroyed.
IL was only the good sense of the men that pre-
vented OutraupS being
although these agents Of "a nefarious spy system
induced some desperate men TO blow up the
cars upon the streets. For these outrages the
order was in no way responsible. The ST. Louis
car troubles were but the beginning of the tidal
wave of strikes and boycotts which swept over
the country, and which strained the strength
and resources of your general officers almost be-
You'd their powers of endurance.
The Southwest strike began when the time
and attention of the general officers were taken
up with other matters Of vital importance. No
notice of the contemplated action was given to
us, and we knew nothing whatever concerning
torthe causes leading u it until it had been in
progress several days.
II has been asserted that I condemned the
men while they We're strike. No such state
ment ever escaped my lips. The only state
ment OF mine that could be made to appear in
the light of II condemnation was that contained
in my secret circular of the 18th of March, n
copy of which is herewith submitted Ibid not
not approve of that strike. i could not do So
since confidence enough was not reposed in the
General Executive Board 10 give them a chance
TO examine into the grievances which tn , MEM
Ders of District Assembly lUl complained Of
1t was only when the threat was made to stop
every wheel in the United States and engage
the whole order in the difficulty that l raised
my voice in denial. did that in defense Of the
order and the country. am quite willing 70
assume all the responsibilities attached TO the
act and would do the same thing again under
similar circumstances.
That the men of the Southwest suffered
wrongs is true; they were many and grievous ;
and it is my firm belief that the railway COM
ftrll Ill,
grievances were, precipitated the fight them
selves at time when IL would appear TO the
world that the strike was for insignificant
cause, can do no better than to submit the
report OF Brothers Litchman and Mcclure.
These two members were by me personally de-
tniled 10 go with the Congressional Committee,
and with that committee examine into the
strike and its causes, 50 that an carly report
might be made to the order by its own represen-
tntives. II the position which l took during
the strike was wrong, then the entire order
sustained me in IL, for when9 issued the appeal
for aid 20 support those whom the companies
refused to treat with, ! generously sus-
tn ned, as n reference 20 the report Of the Gen
eral Secretary Treasurer will show. The docu-
ments ana correspondence relating TO that
strike are ut Your disposal.
The eigLt.hOur strike which took place May
/ was not successful except in cases where en-
ployers and employees were acting in harmony,
or where employers were willing To adopt the
plan. IN many cases the Ola system Oh WORK
ing long hours has been revived. The Fedora
tiOn of Trades recommended the LIST OF May,
but adopted or suggested no definite plan by
which the ahort-hour system could be inaugi-
rated. L cautioned our members against rush
ing into this movement. | had the right 70 do
IL, and am firm in the belief that had / not
done great loss would lave been entailed
upon vast numbers of our assemblies. What
said in nv secret circular of March - has been
severely criticised, and | have been accused OF
opposing the eight-hour movement. No state
Inent ever further from the truth | OPP
posed the strike of MAY because l knew that
neither workmen nor employers were ready for
it. because the education which must always
prcce de intelligent act on had not been given t.
those most in need Of it, because no definite,
business-like plan for tie Inauguration Of the
eight hour movement had been mapped out In
fact no preparat ons had been made 20 put the
plan IL il can be IllPd a plan, into execution.
These are the reasons why opposed the move
ment May /, and for these same reasons do
still oppose it.
A reduction OF tho hours Of labor is neces-
sity and sooner or later must be had but we
must not forget that i'll many places the ten
hour plan has not been adopted yet IL may do
very well for an organization which looks after
tho interests ot but one craft, or calling, to
neglect those who stand most in need of help,
but a Knight OF Labor must never close his
eyes t. the wants of the huinblest Of his fellow
creatures
The very discussion OF the sudden introduce
ton of the cight-hour plan injured business, so
much so that in many places men were re-
duced To half-tlmc, or thrown out of employ
ment altogether. Millions of dollars worth
of work was left undone because of the
certainty in regard to taking contracts,
or in making engagements to perform work.
Never was il more clearly demonstrated
that IAN injury TO one Is the concern
of all" than in the movement am speaking Of.
The householder. through uncertainty TO
how many hours OF labor his employees would
work for him. made no contracts 10 erect build
ings. and the carpenter thrown out OF EN-
ployment; the man who made the window
glass, the man who made the nails-in fact, eve
ny man or woman engaged in the manufac ure
of articles which go 10 build or furnish house
suffered through the attempt TO enforce the
eight-hour system May 1. The move was in
the right direction. but the time and circum-
stances were not suitable. Before the eight
hour plan is adopted the knights of Labor and
the trades unions of America must lay aside
their ienlOusies and differences, come together
name day which to put the plan
into execution, adept the plan of action,
which must he gra iual and such will
not infict injury NJ ron either employer on work
man. The plan presented by Mr. Norton, of
Chicago, 20 the SPECIAL session of the General
Assembly NJ Cleveland is n good one in n aarly
every particular. aud IL the workingmen's o.,
CARNATIONS aud the IN tnufacturers associa-
plan IL can be done without jar or friction.
No workingman need strike. nor need business
be unsettled. Why should it not be dons?
Either adopt plan for the perfection Of this
idea, else place il i'm the hands OF the incom-
ing General Executive Board. with instructions
10 perform the duty. II we do not do either Let
US strike the twenty-first declaration from
preamble and no longer proclaim to the world
that we are i'm favor of eight hours for IA day
labor.
Before a short-hour system that will he of any