The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1886-10-14
FERGUSON & CONLEY. Publishers.
powoERLY TALKS.


RIcHMoSD, Oct. 6.--The only work trans
acted in the National Assembly OF Knights
OF Labor yesterday was the adoption of
thereport OF the Committee on Credentials
Mr.. Powderly's address has already beon
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 a
report OF his official, 5ets during the year,
but for him to do that would be impos.
sible, for the reason. among others, that
such s.<rsport would take at least four
weekt' time to prepare. For inf ormation
as to detlaila u she Executive Boards ac-
tions the convention is referred to the
various reports to be presented and the
Master Workman proceeds to consider
matters OF Importance and make such
suggestions as he deems necessary. Tho
address proceeds:
"If we are guided by the experience of the
past and act accordingly, we can place the
order upon footing so safe and sure that no
we are not guided by that experience and
close this general assembly without having
improved on the past we will fail to properly
represent those who sent us here. The rapid
increase In organization since the Ham
ilton session of the general assembly has
been most marvellous 4.06S assemblies
having been organized. Thousands have been
attracted toward the order through mere cu-
riosity; others have come for purely selfish
motives, while the great bulk OF our new re-
cruits Joined for the good they could do.
Quite few have entered our order for the
purpose OF redressing existing wrongs, and
before waiting to iearn any thing concerning
the duty OF the Knights of the order, have
plunged into rash and ill-considered strikes.
The cnrdr'vers of st Louis were organized
under promise. of the organizer that they
Of ou strike e' Even befnre % tbe rene,nt case Sc
their charter they were on strike. Their pro-
ceedings were characterized by such utter
disregard for our teachings that the paid and
wellknown agents of their employers had no
difficulty In securing the passage of motions
of violent character. 1t is an established
fact that men who were employed by detec-
tive agencies stood up on the floor of that as
sembly urging the men to deeds OF violence
and that the property Of the streetcar COM
panies be destroyed For these outrages the
order was in no way responsible.
The Southwest strike began when the
time and attention of the general officers
were taken up with other matters of vital i'm
portance. No notice of the contemplated ac-
tion was given to us. and we knew nothing
whatever concerning 1t or to the causes lead
ing to Il until 1t had been In progress several
days Ii has been asserted that condemned
the men while they were on strike. No
such statement ever passed my lips. did not
approve of the strike since confidence enough
was not reposed in the Executive Board
to give them a chance TO examine into grev-
ances complained of. 1t was only when the
threat was made to STOP every wheel in the
United States that raised my voice in denial.
did that in defense of the order and the
and would do the same thing again
under similar circumstances
THE eght-bour strike which took place
May was not successful except in cases
where employers and employees were acting
In harmony, or where employers were willing
Q adopt the plan In many cases the old sys-
vived. cautioned our members against
rushing into this movement and am
irm in the belief that had not done
upon vast numbers of our assemblies. have
been accused of opposing the eight-hour
movement No statement was ever further
because the education which must always
,recede intelligent action had not been given
Q those in need of II, and because no
lefnite business like plan for the in
luguration of the movement had
,een mapped out For these same reasons
10 still oppose it A reduction OF the bours
must be had, but we must not forget that in
many places the ten-hour plan has not been
dopted yet. The very discussion OF the sud-
of the eeght-hourplan Injured
business. Millions of dollars worth OF work
vas left undone because of the uncertainty
n regard to taking contracts. The move was
" tnt Tlknt uITtCtlOus Dut Tue ttIt uuu ClI-
umstances were not suitable. Before the
ight-ho plan is adopted the Knights of
,abor and the trade unions Of America must
ny aside ther jealousles and their differences,
ome together and adopt a plan of action,
Fhich must be gradual and such as will not
nilict injury upon either employer or en-
4 any benefit to mankind can be inaugu-
ated the relation which the workman bears
o the laborsavinR machine must undergo
edissi adj Shsnge sgS tS plan of Goopera
rol the machine he operates must one day
upersede the present system.
" The question of child labor and education
the most important that can come before
IS now or at any time. To make the neces-
ary progress we must see that the child has
II education. IL should be part of every
hildren who do not attend school in its vicin-
~, learn what the causes are, ann take steps
. remedy the evil. 1t is useless TO labor for
'hen we lack the business training necessary
D operate II. ask tbata special committee
Q appointed 10 prepare plan for the better
ducation of the American youth"
The address then refers to the trouble
18th trades unions, which Mr.. Powderly
aid has been exaggerated and distorted,
lille admitting that there have been
lults on both sides. erecommends that
l the future all matters OF dispute be
ween the Knights and other societies be
VI tuc tAtCubiNCo VI DOtu7
rganizations for settlement, and, above
II things let a speedy and impartial in
estigaton be made. Mr.. Powderiy
hen replies as follows to the crit
isms OF which hc has been made the sub
ct:
81 have never during the seven years that
have served as General Master Workman
lade a member of this order subject of
ersonal or public criticism or abuse. have
lade 1t II rule never to speak In criticism,
nrsh or otherwise, OF man, except when
anding face to face with him | have been
ccused of displaying a lack OF nerve, OF
gant of backbone and of being too weak
ian to lead a strong movement III. while
Dding position such as no man liv-
II or dead ever held before, have displayed
lack of nerve or backbone. why is II thata
illion men and women of nerve, OF back
)ne aud common sense have gathered
-ound the standard which was placed in my
lnds seven years agoS If have been
owed weak man why 90 50 many
rong men supporf NOR by men VINO
o not Knights OF Labor have been called
ID hasty, iIl.advised action, ! have no ex.
se TO offcr. for II this Is an offehse, let the
neral assembly itself offer the apology. !
u now speak as ] have never spoken 10
ssion OF the general assembly before. Rep
have been instructed to vote for
for General Master Workman. ! feel
inpl Irentod. but release every member
lIn hts Mitigation To vote for me, You are
70 TO vote for any other mnn you choose,
II YOU actin accordance With nv wishes
u will Sc ect another TO nl my place. In