The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-04-09
THE LABOR

n Notapie circular 10 the hts OF
Labor Issued by Grand Master Work.
man Powdsrly-He Severely Criticises
the Brethren for not Exercising More
Patience and Threatens to Resign.
ST. LOUIS, March 26.-Grand Master
Workman Powderly has issued n secret cir
cular ITO the Noble Order OF the Knights
'oi Labor OF America" He instructs the
secretary OF each assembly to call Il full
meeting end read before it the sentiments
which follow The address opens with an
order to the assembly to cease initiating
new members until the relations OF capital
and labor shall become less strained than
at the present time, and continues;
TO attempt to win concessions or gains
with out present raw, undisciplined mem
bers would be like hurting an unorganized
mob against a well-drilled regular army.
1t is not fair to the older assemblies to
bring in new members, pick up their quar-.
rels as soon as organized and have them
expect ~pecuniary aid from those who
helped to build the order up for n noble
purpose" After dwelling at some length
upon the inadvisnbillty OF taking in new
members at present, theaddress continues:
and miss the opportunity OF present sue
cess in the struggle against capital By rush
ing into useless strikes. To the cardinal
principles of the order we must add
another-patieuce. You have had pa
thence Tor years, and had not the
Knights OF Labor appeared upon the scene
you would still be waiting. Your scales OF
prices mast stand as they are for the pres
ent ii you cannot raise them by any other
process than a strike. You must submit
to injustice at the hands OF the emploverin
patience for n while longer. Bide we'll your
time, find out how much you are Justly en-
titled to, and the tribunal Of arbitration
will settle the rest Mr.. Powderly then
cautions the assemblies against receiving
into their ranks employers, and warns the
Knights OF Labor that the politician is
planning night and day how to catch the
knights OF Labor for the advantage
OF himself and party, and adds
that to use the name of the order
in a political contest is criminal, and mus
not occur again. Referring to the eight
hour movement, the circular says: 's.As-
semblies OF KNIGHTS of Labor must rot
strike Tor the eight-hour system on May J.,
under the impression chat they are obeying
orders from headquarters, for such an or
der was not and will not be given. out OF
the sixty million people in the United
States and Canada, our order has posi-.
bly, three million. Can we mold the senti-
lnents al the millions in favor OF the short
hour plan before May /? 1t is nonsense to
think oflt." After speaking OF the quail
ties which the officers OF assemblies
should possess, and expecting the
Knights to elect honest men Of
even temperament, Mr.. Powderly continues:
While | write. a dispatch is handed me in
which | read these words; They discharg-
ed our brother and we struck; forvou know
our motto is, An injury to one is the con-
Germ OF ALL But it is not wise to injure
all for the sake OF one. 1t would have
been far
IrTTErR Tn TDNrtSt-rr ~ waJu
and properly investigate the matter, bring
ing it before every known tribunal, than to
have struck" Speaking OF the relations
between the church and the Knights of
Labor, Mr.. Powderly says: II warn cur
members against hasty, ~ill-considered nc
ton. Ihe church will not interfere with us
so long as we maintain the law. If the law
IS wrong, it is our duty to change it.
L am ashamed to meet with clergy
men and Others to tell them that
our order is composed Of law
abiding, intelligent men, while the next dis
patch brings the new OF some petty boy
colt or strike. | write this circular to Law
before the order the exact condition OF
things. | am neither physically nor men
tally capable OF performing the work re-
CURED OF me. | am willing to do my part.
but not to be asked to maintain al false
position before the world any longer. One
OF two things must take place-either the
localslnd district assemblies or the order
must obey it's laws or | must be permitted
to resign from a vocation which obliges me
to play one part before the public and
another to our members. l say to the
world that the Knights Of Labor do not
approve of or encourage strikes, and in
one day dispatches came to me from Troy,
n. y, Manchester, N. H., Chicago, ILL.,,
Cincinnati, Ohio, Lynchburg, Va,
Springfield, Ohio, and Montreal. 1t
is impossible for human nature to
stand the strain any longer. l must have
the assistance OF the order, or my most
earnest efforts will fail. Will l have it? II
SO, strikes must be avoided; boycotts must
be avoided. Those who boast must be check
ed by their assemblies. No move must be
made until the court of last resort has been
appealed to. Threats OF violence must not
be made. Politicians must be pushed up
or driven out. Obedience to laws ofknight-
hood must have preference over those OF
any other order. ii these things are done
the next five years will witness the complete
emancipation OF mankind from the curse
CT monopoly. In our members we require
secrecy, obedience, assistance. and courage.
II with these aids You strengthen me my
hands will continucin the work. If youdo
not desire to assist me in this way. then
select a man better qualified to obey your
will, and | will retire in his iavor.''
"A SfOrv IF tho Tnfn Na1nrn%n