The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-04-02

1mLABoR TROUBLES.

THE LABOR TROUBLES.
4 Notable Circular to the Knights Of
Labor Issued by Grand 1laater Work.
man Powderly-Hs Severely Criticisss'
the Brethren for mot Exercising More
Patience and Threatsns to Resign.
ST. LOUIS, March 26.-Grand Master
Workman Powderly has issued q secret cir
,ular ITO the Noble Order Of the knights
81 Labor OF America" He instructs the
secretary OF each assembly to call full
meeting and 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:
10 attempt to win concessions or gains
with out present raw, undisciplined men,
bers would be like h1rling an unorganizcd
mob against well-drilled regular army.
II 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 tho order up for a noble
purpose" After dwelling ut some length
upon the inadvisability Oi taking in new
members at present, the address continues
I'VE must not fritter away our strength
and miss the opportunity OF present cue
cess in the strngRle against capital by rush.
principles Of the order we must add
another-patience. You have had pa.
thence for years, and had not the
knights Of Labor appeared upon the scene
you would still be waiting. Your scales OF
prices must stand as they are for the pres
ent il you cannot raise them by any other
process than u strike. You must submit
to injustice Mt the hands Of the employer in
patience for while longer. Bide well your
time, find out how much you are Justly cn-
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 ior the advantage
OF himself and party, and adds
that to use the name OF the order
in q political contest is criminal, and must
not occur again. Referring to the eight.
hour movement, the circular says: "As-
semblics of Kni,ht Of Labor must rot
strike for the cight-hour system on May !,
under tn impression that they are oheyin:
orders from headquarters. for such an or
the sixty million people in the United
States and Canada, our order has posi-
bly, three million. Can We mold the senli.
ments OF the millions in favor OF the short
hour plan before May 1? 1t is nonsense to
think of it," 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.. Powtlerly continues:
"While write, IL dispatch is handed me in
which read these words: They dischars-
cd our brother and we struck; Tor youknow
our motto is, An injury to one 10 the con.
Germ of all.' But it is not wise to iniure
all for the sake OF one. 1t would have
been far
BETTER TO CONTINUE AT WORK,
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, MIR. powderly says: IL warn our
members against hasty, ill-considercd ac-
tion. The church will not interfere with lis
80 long as we maintain the law. Ii 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 news OF some petty boy
colt or strike. write this circular to lay
before the order the exact condition OF
things. am neither physically nor mon
tally capable OF performing the work re-
CURED OF me. Iam willing to do my part,
but not to be asked to maintain false
position before the world any longer. One
OF two things must take place-either the
local and district assemblies or the order
must obey its laws or must be permitted
to resign from IL vocation which oblges me
to play one part before the public and
another to our members. 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,
y. y, Manchester, N. H., Chicago, ILL.,,
Cincinnati, Ohio, Lynchburg, Va,
spr'nsfiell, q Ohio, and Montreal. 1t
stand the strain any longer. must h ave
earncst efforts will fail. Will l have it! II
80, strikes must be avoided; boycotts must
bcavoitletl. 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
he made. Politicians must bc hl,slicd up
or driven out. Obedience to laws ofknisht-
hood must have preference over those OF
any other order. II these things are do C
the hexI nve years Will witness the complete
emancipation OF mankind from the curse
ef monopoly. In our members We require
secrecy, obedience assistance and courage.
II with these aids you strengthen me my
hands will continuein the work. If fyoudo
not desire to assist me in this way, then
select man better qualified to obey your
will, and will retire in his favor"
A Story Of tho Late Delegate Raymond.
Washington Spccial.-The late Delegate
Raymond Of Dakota was the last man to
see Gen. MCPHERSON alive at the battle OF
Atlanta. He was in the act OF delivering
message to the general when the party of
confederate horscmcn came upon them, and
was taken prisoner and sent to Anderson.
vile. After he had been there n year or so
tharf I'll,