The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1886-01-29

backeR. The ideas URIAH S. STEVENS
he developed and impressed upon his COM
panions in the cloth ng and toher trades led
them with him, to conceive the idea of a
national labor association for the protection
of workingmen against combinations Of cap
itaL He was chosen to preside over this frst
organization, which was not properly organ
lied as Local Assembly No. l until 1,7:,
This was in Philadelphia-an organization
composed largely Of clothing cutters at first.
The order spread from one body of work
men to another ia Philadelphia until it com
binsd nearly all the trades and great pro
portion of the workingmen there. In its de
velopment it teached at Treaton, where it
failed at first, and got representation in that
city through one local assembly. But lis
vigorous growth, such as marked its history in
Philadelphia. was next continued in Pitts
burg. 1t made 40 ether halt, but 1eaped en-
tirsiy acres the state of Pennsylvania and
in the coal aad iron capital met with an even
warmer reception than in Philadelphia, and
soon became formidable there. In 1873
convention was called to form General As
aenatay Of North America and Mr.. Stevens
was chosen general master workman After
ward he was reelected to this post-the
sapselne one in the order. He was twice a
candidate for congress, He died in 1882,
and his memory is idolized in the organize
tien
If canonization ever becomes popular in
this country, Stevens will be the pat on
saint OF the American workingman and
woman. Fer the order inclu les both sexes
alike Woaaen are admitted on par with
men, and the leaders fin 1 them even more
valuat4e Female members and females
whose husbands and brothers are members
keep up the faith and the enthusiasm that
the order neels. amy ere who stands well
in his trade, il it is organized and who is
net less than Is years of age, without regard
TO sex, eoBer,. creed or hatieaality, be he
tFadesnaan, manufacturer, employer or en-.
pieYe, or wage worker of any kind, or
farmer, Is eligible to membership, unless he
is of the interiie4ed classes which includes
lawyers, bankers, professional gamblers,
stock brokers or any person who derives any
profit or income from the sale OF Intoxicating
drinks in founding au l. A, as the local
assemblies are called. il is first a-Fanged that
three quarters Of the candidates for meln-
beFship shall be wage workers or farmers.
This is the nebtast order that has been
founded for many century. lt has prac-
tieally ne secrets, except such as pertain to
HA7ADefS, 0FgA4AEHdE49E G1t4sl6tt &c, Mt2tt-
tiers which any business firm Keeps to itself,
consequently the Catholic clergy do not OBJ
iaet to their feliaBeTs becoming members
In this ii has great aaraa age ever other
orders lis oil jee6 as originally founded
was largely educational This, however, has
been SO broadeaaed that the 'K. OF L. y take
cognizanea of the industrial and sanitary
interests OF the wage worker.
The five haea, who are assDeiated with Mr.
Pnsdsr4y in the administration of affairs
are or were meehanfes like himself. Master
Pewslerly has newer used liaaor or tobacco
sEedariek farner b secretary of the exeeu-
tive board. He j. 90 years old, and Eng
ilsh born. BE asarHed The gold beater's
trade, but now has n grocery. john W.
Hayes is the taiad Inember OF the ex-
eeutive board OF fIe knights Of Labor.
He is of American birth. has been railroad
brakeman and tsfegtaph eEaFater, but IS
nov q grocer. He is 81 years odd. Tbs
other members ef tha board are w. D.
Raiiev, Of Shawnee 0. and !. B. Bal ~, OF
East Sag naw, Mich IN insuFatfee bureau
and cooperative society are eeRneetea with
the order The exeeuaHe board recently re-
n owed the boycott from SAraiten & storms
cigars When the interests OF the order are
injured by any manufacturing firm or raak
roa the commanl goes .ffem headquarters
20 boycott. the offender and eli aea els using
the wares. Half mil ion men cal control
IN such matters perhaps three tlmes their
number In sllch case the firm that sess