The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1886-10-16
powoeRLy TALKS.

Eight Hour Strikes
REDMOND, Oct. 6.--Ths only work trans.
acted in the National Assembly OF Knights
OF Labor yesterday was the adoption Of
the report OF the COMMITTEES on Credentials.
Mr.. Powderly's address has already becn
made public. The Grand Master opens
his address by saying that the laws OF the
order require the General Master Work.
man to submit at the general assembly q
report OF his official acts during the year,
but for him to do that would be impos-
sible for the reason, among others, that
such report would take at least four
wccks' time to prepare. For inf ormation
as to details Of the Executive Board's ac-
tions the convention 10 referred to the
various reports to be presented, and the
Muster Workman proceeds to consider
mnttors Of Importance and mako such
suggestions rs lie deems necessary. The
address proceeds:
''lf we are guided by the experience of the
past, and act accordingly, we can place the
order upon footing 90 safc and sure that no
assaults from its enemies can injure IL. If
we are not guided BY that experience and
cksee tnis general assembly without having
improved on the past we will fail to properly
represent those who sent us here. The rapid
iton session of the general assembly has
been most marvellous, AUS assemblies
attracted toward tho order through mere GU.
rosity; others have come for purely selfish
motives: while the great bulk OF our new re
quito few have entered our order for tn,
purpose of redressing existing wrongs, and
before waiting to learn any thing concerning
plunged into rash and iil-considered strikes.
The car.dr. vers Of st Louis were organized
under promise Of the organizer that they
Of q strike. Even before the receipt Of
their charter they were OH strike Their pro-
ceedings were characterized by such utter
well Known agents of their employers had no
difficulty in securing the passRge of motions
of violent character. II is AN established
tive tive agencies stood up on the iioor Of that as
sembly urging the men to deeds of violence
and that the property OF the strectcar ooom-
order was in no way responsible
HThe Southwest strike began when the
time and attention of tho general officers
portance. No notice Of the contemplated &C. 40.
tion was given to us. and we knew nothing
whatever concerning It or to the causes lead
days Il % has BEEN s ma asserted @ that
tho men while they were on strike. No
such statement ever passed my lips. did not
was was mot roposed in the Executive Board
to give them q chance to examine into griev-
anccs complained of. 1t was only when the
United States that s, rased Sv my voice In denia
did that In defense of the order and tho
country, and would do the same thing again
under similar circumstances.
"The eight-hour strike which took place
May ! was not successful except in cases
where employers and employees were acting
to adopt the plan. In many cases the old sys.
tenn of working long hours has been re-
vived. cautioned our members against
Fsnn9 @ s ts into peef s Ras %sa no and dons
30 great loss would have been entai!ed
upon vast numbers of our assemblies. have
%ovement @ Se No ststement s was se ever s fSrtber
from the truth. l opposed the strike on May
! because the education which must always
IN o dot e
definite businesslike plan for the in
suguration of tie movement had
do j still oppose it. A reduction OF the hours
OF labor is n necessity, and sooner or lator
must be had. but VIC must not forget that in
adopted yet. The very discussion of the sud sud.
den Introduction of the ceight-hour plan injured
business. Millions of dollars worth OF work
left pnd1ne Dscsuss Of the
in the right direction, but the time and cir.
cumstances were not suitable. Before the
s%d trade s Of Mnhs
lay aside Their jealousies and their differences,
come together and adopt a plan of action,
which which must must he gradual and such as will not
plO,c. Before short hour system that will be
OF any benefit to mankind can be innugu
rated tho relation which the workman bears
to the labor-saving machine must undergo y
ton through Which the workman may y'sa CON
troll the machine he operates must one day
Gupersedc the present system
The question of child labor and education
ia the most important that can come before
US now or at any t.me. To make the neces.
an education. 1t should be u part of every
asscmbly's duty TO asccrtain the number OF
children who do not attend school In its vicin.
fty, learn what the causes are, und take steps
TO remedy the evil. 1t il useless to labor for
the establishment OF u cooperative system
when We lack the business training necessary
to operate 1t. 0sk that q special committee
be appointed TO prepare plan for the better
educ~tion Of the American youth"
The address then refers to the trouble
with trades unions, which Mr.. Powderly
said has been exaggerated and distorted,
while admitting that there have been
faults on both sides. He recommends that
in the future all matters OF dispute be-
tween the Knights and other societies be
submitted to the executives OF both
organizations for settlement, and. above
all things, let n speedy and impartial in.
vestigation be made. Mr. Powderlv
then replies as follows to the crit
icisms OF which he has been made the sub.
ject:
~ have never during the seven years that
have served rs General Master Workman
made q member of this order y subject OF
personal or public criticism or abuse. have
made 1t rule never to speak in criticism,
harsh or otherwise, of u man, except whom
accused of displaying lack OF nerve of
want of backbone and of being too weak u
man TO lead IL strong movement II, while
holding position such Ms no man liv-
ing or dead ever held before, have display ed
lack of nerve or backbone. why is 1t that Il
bone and common sense have gathered
around the standard which was placed in my
hands seven years agO2 II | have been
proved weak man why do SO many
strong men support me? BY men who
are not knights OF Labor have bcen called
weak because ! discOuntenanccd violence
and hasty, ill-advised action. have no OK
cuso to Ofer. for if this ~ an offense, let the
general assembly itself offer tho apology. I
Will now speak as i have never spoken to q
resentatiyes have been instructed to vote for
me for General Master Workman. I feel
cOmpl 'meuted, but release every member
from his obligation to vote for mo. You are
free to vote for any other man you choose,
and II yOu act In accordance with my wishes
voting for the General Master. W Orkman don't
be guided by sentiment or sympathy. but
vote for the best interests Of Gods suffering
poor aud the cause Of united labor"
Four Children Injured.