The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-22

on the subject l would like to repeat.
1t is that a conference should take
place between representative men
from the labor Organizations and rep
resentatlVe men f;on trade organic ;.
tons; that they should meet and
thoroughly Discus the whole subject.
| As 10 THIS contest between capital end
labor, l look upon them as being nee
] essarily primers, as much so as man
I and wife. Such a discussion as that
would be approached by railroad men
IN q different epirit from that which
they would manifest in a discussion
with subordinate brakemen. In this
way there would be gathered the wis
dom OF able men who have been
thinking over the subject. don't
feel that l have had enough expert
ence to be able to Iecapitu ate the re-
suits OF tuch q conference.
The Chairman-Do you think that
the time has arrived when this coun-
try will be compelled TO gay who may
come to it and who may not come?
Witnees-It does seem 10 me that
our capacity 10 absorb Christendom is
oOhAO hoe oAAohkiJ thANus
Mr.. Buchanan-We are troubled as
much by pagan as by Christendom.
MR.. PowDERLY
wss then recalled and gave a history
Of the Knights Of Labor. The organi-
cation, he said, was intended to take
in not only the man that worked at
the bench, but every man who toiled
by hand or brain in any honest occu-
patton. We left out one or two occu-
pations, lawyers and bankers, because
we felt they were fully capable Of
tax ng care of themselves.
The Chairman-How about preach
ers.
Mr.. Powderly-- Once in a while we
get one OF them. We will not take n
a saloon keeper. Even if a members
wife begins TO sell liquor we ruake
him take q divorce, not from his wife,
but from the organization.
The ChaitmRn--Ino other words, il Is
a benevolent society for the protection
of all kinds Of people who toll aud is
entirely within the law.
Mr.. Powderly-Yes; it is entirely
within the Jaw.
mr Parker-What is the number OF
the present membership.
Mr.. Powderly-0ur present mem
bership does not exceed 500 900, al
though We have been credited with
100000.
The Chairman-Are women MEN,
beers Of the organization
Mr.. Powderly~ Yes; On an equal
footing with men.
The Ohairman7When were women
..N.44IV,eu
Mr.. Powdsrly-In 1881. We claim
that il women perform equal work
they should receive equal pay. We
have an assembly OF women with a
membership Of 1900, and from the
day OF the organization to the present
day a single expulsion or suspension
has never taken place. They mana9e
their affairs in such a way as to reflect
credit upon them, and to be pattern
for the men.
Mr.. Crain-Do you make any diffor-
ence as to the admission Of colored
men into the organization?
Mr.. Powderly-We make no dis
tnction in regard to color, creed, sex
or condition. We have one assembly
in New York where the president is 6
Roman Catholic, the vice-presdent a
Presbyterian and the man who occu-
plea the next positioa Hindoo. COL
ored men seldom enter the assemblies
OF white members. They have a.
semhlies of their own, anl are mangg-
ing them very nicely.
Mr.. Buchanan--Up 10 how lately |
have you WORKED Of your trader
Mr.. FoWderly Not since March,
1877.
Mr.. BuchanaE--Since that time vou
have been engaged as you are now?
Mr.. Powderly-Yes, principally. /
woyk harder now than | ever did;
sometimes eighteen hours day.
MR.. MCDOWELL,
upon being recalled, and asked as TO