Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-03-31
CONCERNING STRIKES.
Master Workman Powdsrly -.
presses Himself Regarding the
Principle of Strikes.
Jay Gould Announces Plainly that His
Railroads win Not Listen =
Compromise.


General Master Workman Powderiy has
issued a secret circular to the Noble Order
Of Knights Of Labor Of America, which has
just been made public. Powderly instructs
tho Secretary Of each Assembly 10 call
full meeting and read before II the senti-
ment which follows. The address opens
with an order to the Assembly 70 csase ini-
tiating members until the relation Of capital
and labor shall become less strained than q
the present time, and continues: 10 con-
tinue to attempt to win concessions Or gains
with our present raw and undiscipltned
membership would be like hurting an unor-
ganized mob against we'll drilled regular
army. It is not fair to the older Assem-
blies to bring in new members to pick their
quarrels as soon as organized, and have
them expect pecuniary aid from those who
helped tuild the order up for noble pur.
poses"
After dwelling at some length upon the
advisability Of taking in new members at
present, the address continues:
1--WE must not fritter away our strength
and miss the opportunity Of present success
in the struggle against capital BY rushing
into useless strikes. To the cardinal pur-
poses of the order We must add another,
patience. You have had patience for years,
and had not the knights Of Labor appeared
on the scene you would be still waiting.
Your scale Of prices would stand ~ they
are for the present. II you cannot raise
them by any other process than strike,
You must submit to injustice at the hands
Of employers in patience for while longer.
Bide we'll your time. Find how much you
are justly entitled TO and tribunal will set
tie the rest"
Powderly then cautions the Assemblies
against receiving into their ranks employers,
and warns the Knights that the politician 10
planning night and day how to catch the
knights Of Labor for advantages tor him.
self and party, and adds that to use ne
name of the order in q political contest y
criminal and must not occur again.
Referring to the cight-hou move, the cir.
cular gays: Assemblies Of knights ut
Labor must not strike for the eight hour
system May under the impression that
they are obeying orders from headquarters,
for such an order was not and will not be
given" Powderly continues: while I
write dispatch is handed me, In which
read these words: They discharged Ouy
brother and we struck, for you know our
motto s,injury to one is the concern OF al,
but not wise to injure all for the sake OF
one. It would have been far better TO con.
tinne at work and investigate the matter,
bringing il before every known tribunal,
than to have struck"
In conclusion the Master Workman says:
81 write this circular to lay before the order
the exact condition Of things. ! am neither
physically nor mentally capable OF perform
ing the work required Of me. am willing
to do my part, but not to be asked to main
tain false positions befoye the world any
longer. One Of two thil must take place:
Either the Local or District Assemblies
must obey it's law or must be permitted to
resign from vocation which obliges me to
play one part before the public and another
before our members. Those who boast
must be checked by their assemblies. No
move must be made until the court Of last
resort is appealed to. Threats OF viOlence
must not be made. Politicians must bo
hushed or driven out. Obedience to the
laws Of Knighthood must have preference
over those Of any other order. II these
things are done the next five years will wit
ness the complete emancipation Of mankind
from the curse Of monopoly. In our mem-
bers we require secrecy, obedience, assist
ance, patience and courage. II with theee
aids you strengthen my hands I will con-
tinue in the work. IT you do not desire TO
assist me in this way then select one better
qualified to obey your will and ] viii retire
In his favor"