Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-22

aoout IL. IL was 10 De secret in all its work
lngs man who Joined it was not to men.
tion the name of the association outside of
'he meetlng room, nor was il
SPOKEN inside. When written about
IT. was to be referred to by stars.
ne loea was to bring into the association
every department of productive industry.
ne intention was that no statues of the Org
anlzatlon toward bettering or change of the
conditions surrounding the EMPLOYER and EN-.
ploye would be made until everything con.
neeted with the condition of things had been
discussed and thoroughly understood. The
reason tor that was that the strike of miners
affected not only the miners themselves bur
machlnlsts, engineers, merchants, clerks and
everybody connected with the industry in that
r. gion. In 1874 was asked one evening to
oecome member of clup or association
tue name OF which was not mentioned
"as initiated into the orjer of the Knight, of
LABOR. Up to that time | knew nothing of
II, Dut when saw IN that meeting room loc-
omotive engineer, stationary engineer, miner
iaoorer. truckman, members of my craft and
others made up my mind that it was an as
soclation, which, of all others, was calculated
to do good to the laboriug man. This man
tStephens )who formed the first local assem-
oiy was afterwards elected master workman
and elected TO the position of first grand mas
Ter workmen of the kaight Of Labor The
organization continued under him for one
wear and nine months when his health failed
and he was obliged 10 decline to serve longer
was chosen to succeed him, and from that
time have been chief officer OF the knights
OF Labor. The organization was intended to
take in not only the man who worked at the
bench or mine but every man who toiled BY
IN an "
will not take in saloon keeper; even if a
members wife begins to sell LIQUOR we make
him take divorce, not from his wife but
from the order,
Chairman-ln other words it is a benevo-
lent society for the protection of all kinds of
people who toll, and is entirely within the law
Mr.. Powderly-Yes, 1t is entirely within
the Law
MIR. Parker-What is the number of its
present membership?
Mr.. Powderly-Our present membership
does not exceed 50O,O 900, although we have
been credited with 100000. We have one
assembly of women with a membership of
1900 They manage their affairs in such a
way as to reflect credit upon them and be a
pattern for men. We make no distinction in
regard to color, creed, size or condition. We
have one assembly in New York, where the
president is Roman Catholic, vice president
Presbyterian, and the man who occupies the
next position, Hindoo. Colored men have
assemblies of their own and are managing
them very nicely.
Mr.. Bushanan-Up to how lately have you
worked at your trade?
Mr.. Powdery-Not since March, 1877.
Mr.. Bushanan-Since that time you have
been engaged as you are now?
Mr.. Powderly-Yes. principally. 1 work
harder now than l ever did; sometimes Is
hours day.
The committee, at 2.30, adjourned until to-
morrow, when it is understood the examina-
tion of Jay Gould will be commenced
Nomination by the President.
The President sent the following nomira-
ton to the Senate Tuesday Henry o. Kent OF
New Hampshire to be naval officer of Gus
toms in the districts of Boston and Charles
town, Mass.
Telephone Investigation.
The telephone investigating committee re-
sumed its labors this morning with the exam
ination of ID. H. Humphrey of the Globe
Telephone Co. of New York.
Combinations by the Senate.
Among the confrmatons made by the Sen
ate today were those of William l.. West to
be governor of Utah and ID. c. Bradley to be
collector of internal revenue of South Car
olina.