Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-22

after the war the garment cutters of
Philadelphia organized as the Garment
Cutters society of Philadelphia. the lu-
tention was to pay TO sick members
weekly allowance, and to bury
the dead. In fact, it was
a benevolent organization. They con-
tinued to hold meetings for -four years.
At the end of that time one night in Oc-
tOber. 1869, they We're discussing some
measure, when member said: 1--WE
have been coming here now four or five
years; we have our constitution, our
laws, our officers, and Sc lar as that is
concerned that is all right. II am taken
sick / will receive a weekly allowance,
and if | die ! will be cared tor by our
brothers. But the conditions surrounding
me in the workshop have not grown better,
but worse. 1t seems to me that an Orgaul-
Zation that will 90 into the workshop and
endeavor to effect a reform there is what
is needed, ia addition to the association
we now have"
FORMING THE ORGANIZATION.
That line of argument was taken UP
and continued some weeks. Finally
motion was made that tnat society
be dsbanded, and it was dis
banded. The founder of the Knights of
Labor was a member OF it. He vas Uriah
5. stevens. AS the men were leaving the
room that night he asked those present TO
remain ana hear what he had TO say. He
said that if they would form such an as
sociation as had been sugges led, one that
would endeaV0r to effect a reform in the
management Of workshops, mines and
foundries, they would ondeayor 10 perfect
it. Six remained, talked the matter over
with him and agreed to meet again. These
seven men and two others met to perfect
the organization on Thanksgiving eve
ming, 1869, and nine men drafted the first
crude form of constitution and manual for
the government Of the association of the
knights of Labor.
CLOsE-MoUTHED.
No man was to know anything abOutit.
1t was to be secret in all its workings. A
man who joined it was not permitted to
mention the name OF tee association out
side of the meeting room, nor was it
SPOKEN inside. When written about it
vast be referred to by stars. The idea
was to bring into tue association every
department of productive industry. The
intention was that no statutes Of the
organization towards bettering or chang
ing the conditions surrounding employer
and empoye would be made until every.
thing connected with the condition of
things had been discussed aud thoroughly
understood. The reason for that was that
strike of miners affected not only miners
neers, clerks, merchants, aud everybody
connected with industry in tnat region.
PowDERLY JOINS.
In 1874 ! was asked one evening if /
would not come with man and become a
member of a club or association, the name
OF which be did not mention. Iwent with
him and was initiated into the order of
the Knights of Labor. Up to that time |
knew nothing of it, but when / saw IN
that meeting room locomotive engineer,
stationary engineer, miner, labOrer, truck
man, members OF my own craft and others,
l made up my mind that that was an asso-
citation which of all others was calculated
to do good to the labOring man. This
man (Stevens) }, who formed the first local
assembly, was afterwards elected Master
Workman and was at Reading elected to
the pOsiti Of First Grand Master Work
man OF the knights of Labor.
ELECTED CHIEF OFFICER.
The organization continued under him
for one year and nine months, when his
health failed, and when the convention
met at Chicago he sent letter declining
denomination and suggesting two names
from whom his successor should be
chosen. | was elected, and from that
time to the present [ have been the chief
officer OF the Knights OF Labor. The or
ganiZaJion was intended to take in not
only the man who worked at the bench or
mine, but every man VINO toiled by hand
or brain in any honest occupation. We
left out one or two honest occupations
lawyers and bankers-because we felt
they were fully capable Of taking care of
themselves.
The Chairman-How about preachers?
SALOON KEEPERS RULED OUT.
Mr.. Powderly-Once in awhile we get
IA. am.
keeper. Even ii memDer's wife begins
to sell liquor, we make him take divorce,
not from his wife, but from the organiza-
tion.
The Chairman-In other words, 1T is a
benevolent society for the protection of
all kinds of people who toll, and is entire
ly within the law?
Mr.. Powderly-Yes, it is entirely within
the law.
Mr.. Parker-What is the number of its
present membership!
Mr.. Powderly-Our present member
ship does not exceed 100000, although we
have been credited with 5,000,0 900.
The Chairman-Are women members of
the 0rganizati0nY
Mir. Powderly-Yes; on an equal foot
ing with men.
WHEN FIRST AMENDED.
The Chairman-When were women first
admitted2
Dir. POwderly-ln 1881 We claim that
if women perform equal work they should
receive equal pay. We have one ASSEM-
bly, OF women with membership OF 300,
and from the day Of organization 20 the
present day a single expulsion or suspen-
sion has never taken place. They man
age their affairs IN such a way as to re-
f1ect credit upon theul, and TO be a pat
tern for men.
Mr. Crain-Do you make any difference
as TO the admission OF cOlored men into
the organization?
Mr. POWderly-We make no distinction
in regard 70 color, creed, sex or condition.
We have one assembly IN New York
where the President is a Roman Catholic,
the Vice President is u Presbyterian, and
the man VINO occupies the next position
a Eliudo0. Colored men seldom enter into
assem- Dlies Of white members. They have
assemblies OF their own and are manag-
ing them very nicely.
WHEN PowDERLY WORKED.
Mr. Buchanan-Up 10 bow lately have
you worked at y0ur iradey
Mr.. POWderiy-Not since March, 1877.
Mr.. Buehanan--inee that time you
aaye been engaged as you are n0wy
Mr. POwderly-Ye principally. / work
harder now than | ever did-sOmetimes
eighteen hours day.
Mr. Mcdowell, upon being recalled and
asked as to his connection with tae
Knights. said that be had been connected
Nn al. kt.