Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-12
MIR. Poxderlv,s Circular.

MIR. Powderly's Circular.
General Master Powderly's secret circu-
lar, which we published yesterday morn
ing, Will have a quoting effect on the
labor troubles. 1t is a conservative docu-
ment, admirable in tone and well calcu-
lated to make workmen who are 80
anxious to inaugurate strikes and boy
colts see the folly of their course. With
real workmen the circular will meet with
hearty Endorsement, but the chronic
agitators and those who prefer disorder
and confusion to peace and prosperity
will regard it with Indifference. 1t is to
be hoped, however, that this latter class
is greatly in the minority.
Tbe fact crops out pretty plainly in the
circular that the organization of which
Mr.. Powderly is the recognized head has
got beyond his control, aud that it has
paid very little respect to the principles
upon which it is founded. The statement
which he makes that he has received
within comparatively short space Of
time 400 notices of boycOtts is rather
startling when its significance is fully
understood. Such an immense number
OF boycotts indicates that the spirit Of re-
tahation. and even of revenge, has been
permitted to get the upper hand in some
of the assemblies. The boycott appears
to be used not so much to promote the
welfare Of the organization using IL as to
accomplish ends and purposes wholly at
variance with the objects of that 0rgani-
cation.
1t seems that in some assemblies the
whole attention of the members is occu-
pied with requests relating to the estab-
lishment of boycotts
The boycott, instead of being a thing to
be resorted to only In extreme cases
where all other efforts to secure justice
have failed, is forced into use upon the
slightest excuse, and for purposes with
which the Knights of Labor under their
constitution and bylaws have nothing
to do.
Of course, Mr.. Powderly sees that If
there is not a change in this matter, and
greater respect shown for the laws by
which the knights of Labor pretend to be
governed, the great organization which
has been built up with such care and pa
tience will go TO pieces. The danger is in
permitting ambitious and corrupt men to
get the leadership of the assemblies. If
the practice which appears to have OBJ
tanned In some localities Of ordering a
boycott to satisfy individual grievances
and personal spites is adopted to any con-
siderable extent, it will not be
long before the knights in posi-
tions of responsibility and authority Will
exercise power in their respective COM
munities that will not only make them
feared, but will enable them to dictate in
politics and business.
The only hope for the organization OF
the knights OF Labor is IN keeping it
within its original bounds. Whether it
can be kept there or not is question that
has not yet been answered. Evidently a
supreme effort is to be made to do 50 by
those who are sincerely interested in its
welfare.
There is one part OF the circular that
has a wide application. 1t is that which
refers to whisky drinking. 1t will be
many a day hence, however, before the
assemblies become the abodes of temper
ance which Mr.. POwderly would like
them to be. No one will deny, however,
taat if every knight of Labor should take
the GA b relative to strong drink which
Mr. POwderly prescribes, the labor trou-
bes wonld soon become Insignificant
compared to what they are at present.
Labor troubles are largely due to hasty
action, and strong drink, to very great
extent, is responsible for hasty action.