Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-10-14
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.

&nd AesfDnse % mt NoNueAag-- @-A.1toV1.s
Efforts Both Of Them.
RlcHazoxD. Va, Oct The tapping Of
tieneral Master Workman 7. Y. Powderiy's
gavel at 1915 o'clock this morning gave the
signal for the opening of the FIRST session OF
the tenth annual convention OF tic Knights
Of Labor in the arnory OF the Fist Virginia
regiment He stood alone upon a small
plain pine platform at the further end Of the
spacious room and looked out upon the
faces of q thousand delegates assembled
from every part OF the country. The session
was 20 be an open one. and ia addition 10
the large body of delegates were as many
others not of the order as could find seats
The large room looked like an immense ban
quoting hall, with tables formed of plain
pine boards near the length Of the
room Ia rows On either side OF
these tables were seated the delegates The
only things that even limited at a decorative
purpose were Autograph portraits OF Master
Workman Powderly and General Secretary
Turner, that hung on either side OF the room,
and q large gilt frame enclosing photo
graphs OF members OF the Joel Parker asso-
citation that hung behint the little platform
While the sound OF tina master workman's
gaveI re-echoed footprints were heard APP
preaching the entrance doors A moment
later Gov. Fitz Hugh Lee entered As he
walked up the central aisle leading TO thu
platform he was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers. which redoubled as he stood on the
platform bowling in response TO the greeting.
When the applause had subsidized and Master
Workman Mullen, Of uks Richmond district
had presented Gov. Leo 10 Mr.. Powderiy, the
latter then stepped forward and introduced
him to the members
GOV. LEES ADDRESS
When the applause that again broke forth
at the mention Of his name permitted him to
DO so. Gov. Leo spoke. saying among other
things:
We are told that The orEanizstion you repre-
sent is formed 10 elevate and protect the rights
OF the working class Who are interfering with
your rights. and who tramples upon your privi-
leges Is American citizens? Organized capital.
do hear? Against what is war declared2 VIII
II be war 70 the knife and the knife to the
hfltg Will there be peaceful issue 20 the con-
hicts Which, in your opinion. IS necessary TO
proinote the interests Of ootnt The helm o. me
chip Of this republic was constructed BY men OF
different aud apparently tTreconciiable views.
and the constitution was only framed by com
promise Of all conflicting opinions Oompro-
mise then gave us our consultation, and con-
promise will solve the difficult problem Of the
hour which you hare assembled here 20 grapple
with The battle; We are told, Is one o. labor
against capital. But what class Of capital is
this opposing you- and whose course l. inJuri-
Gus 10 the line marked out by the founders OF
the republieY- ! divide capitalists into two
command Forward and fight 10y your
side against Que Of these classes. Make
war against incorporated rascality and We viii
help you 70 eight It down. Combat great mon
eyed corporations that seek 70 control your
legislztures federal and state. by bribery and
couuption, In order that they may ges votes 10
the federal halls Of legislation 20 perfect and
fasten upon the whole counSry legislation for
their benefit and not for the benefit OF the peo-
pie at large, we will march shoulder 70 shoulder
with you in that: draw the fangs from the
money kings who seek 10 take possession Of the
great telegraph lines OF the country and seek 70
defect them from their legitimate purpose by
controlling them TO defeat the will Of = free peo
pie in an attempt to defrAnd the whole country
2f their constitutional right to elect rulers, and
we viii order to your support horse, foot aud
who furnish money 10 carry elections and then
claim their reward the selection Of the men
upon whose shoulders shall be thrown the pur-
pie robe OF the judiciary, and we are with you in
that But all capital, my friends, is not used in
thai way. nor for such vicious parposes Let as
make no war upon those who use their good
fortunes 70 alleviate the suner1ngs OF mankind
THE GENERAL MASTERS REsPoNsE
The large audience listened with close at
tention. and frequent applause marked their
approval of the principal points made
When the governor had taken his seat on the
platform. Frank J. Farrell, the colored men,
Der Of the delegation OF District 40. whose
associates refused 70 take up their quarters
in the hotel in which he was refused adTnis-
sion on an equsl footing, assembled the plat
form and introduced Mr. Powderly. When
Mr. Pcwderly stepped forward he was re-
ceived with loud applause The general
master workman expressed his qualification
at the welcome which had been given the
Knights by the people Of Virginia and more
especially the people of Richmond Mr.
Powderiy, continuing. said:
The men who owe allegiance 70 the Knights OF
Labor are engaged in confiicI. but IL j. war Of
truth against error. II is not, As many honestly
believe and many more dishonesty assert. war
OF Labor against capital IL Il . war N which the
manhood Of the American la6oreT u fighting for
recognition. In this war Il must be determined
which shall rule, monopoly or the American peo-
pie; gold OF manhood Our battles arc not
fought for the purpose Of determining whether
an individual shalt rule state or an empire. hut
20 decide whether people, who are entitled 20
life. liberty and happiness. shall live IN the fan
enjoyment Of their rights and liberties Is be-
comes citizens Of = republic No member mus
feel. as he turns away from the city Of Rich
nond after our work here is done, that
he can safely or conscientiously thrust
aside the grave responsibilities and duties
OF our American citizenship. Popular disregard
Of political duty and tolerated continued poiiti-
destroy our liberties, for the worm can eat It's
way through the oak which storm or tempest
could not bend, and political dishonesty VIII
strike where the lightning could never reach
die for II. II is At least worthy thai unselfish.
though just. NEE should live and work in
grand devotion to the ideas Of real. true
democracy. We come here not alone 10 settle
the question Of q dispute in regard to wages or
hours of labor; We come here partly 70 study and
learn some lessons Of the head and heart in
r,-a fs-sst Wa "A in
which 70 the thoughtfnl observer means
MORE THAN cRuD's PLAY.
more than regulation Of trade matters and the
work viii not end to-day, nor will the youngest
among as live TO see il complete. To remedy
geTous undertaking. The need Of strong hearts
and active brains was never great rs al the
present time The lash was stricken from the
ago, and IL must be takeu from the hand OF the
new slave owner a. well The monopolist Of to-
day Is more DANGEROUS than the slave owner Of
the past Monopoly takes the land from the
people In millionaire plats: Il sends its agents
abroad and brings hordes of unedneated des-
perste men 70 this country: it seaSters ignorance
sponsible fof every manifestation Of an
archy that onr country has Witnessed All
men may not be willing TO admit that this
statement Is true. bat when MONOPOLY dies ne
more anarchists will be born unto this country
for anarchy Is the legitimate child OF monopoly
While condemn and deEounce the deeds Of
the present year. am proud TO say the Knights
OF Labor are not IN any way responsible for such
conduct He Is the tru Knight Of Labor who
with one hand clutches anarchy ny the throst
and BY the other sIrsngles monopoly. The man
who still believes in the Little red school house
on the hill" should take holiday And visit the
There. doing the work OF men. will be find the
future citizens OF the republic, breathing an
atmosphere CT
DUST. IGNORANCE AND VICE
The history Of our country is not Taught within
those walls The struggle for Independence
and the eauses leading u that struggle 5are not
spoken Of there; the name Of Washington is IN
known, and the words that rang out trumpet
tongued from the lips Of Patrick Henry are
never mentioned Our ccuntTy--her history
her laws and her institutions are unkoWn II
these poor children. How, then. can the child
Of foreigner learn 20 appreciate he freedom
That they have never been told about much less
experlsncedf Questions Of wages or hours of
labor, shop discipline or some other matter may
Cause rupture here and there between the work
man and bis EMPLOYER, but they can be
readily settled IL mutual federation and COM
mon sense are brought into the controversy
and once settled. they should be allowed to
rest Confined reminders Of past troubles
often create new ones To those who have fallen
into snch habits would recommend the advice
you 81 appropriately gave % a critic not long
since. stop fighting when the war Is over !
trust that In the providence Of God We may be
enabsed 70 enact such legislation while here as
will help to strike tn the earth the last vestiee If
monopoly, and compel al men. wheiher rich or
poor. to stand equal before Just and humane
lsw. Sane Of the members Of the visiting dele
cations who were Of darker hue than their
6rothers. eoula not mud place IN some Of the
hoiels- This was IN accordance with what had
loag been The custom here, and old customs and
prejadines DO not readily vanish
BRIEF SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS
At the close OF his address. Mr. Powderly
requested that all those present who were
not Delegates should retire and thanked
them for having come to the open session.
Mr. Bennett. OF the Richmond district. moved
vote OF thanks 70 Gov. Lee. and after this
was hsartlly given it was followed by a burst
Of reusing cheers for YEgnia's governor
Al bai the delegates ihen left the hail and