Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1886-10-05
NOWo NY IOlOSIoPH
FROM ALL QUARTERS.
THE KNIGHTS OF LABOR
Rally In Great Force At
Richmond.
GOVERNOR lee AND P0WDERLY.
The Opening Speakers At
The Convention.
DEATH IN A DENTISTS CHAIR.
Gladstone Still Welded To
Home Rule.
THE KNIGHTS IN CONVENTION.

sembly of the Knights of Labor convened
here this forenoon. Armory hall, with q
seating capacity of two Thousand, was the
place of meeting. The convention was call
ed to order by T. v. Powderly at 10 o'clock.
He introduced the Hon. Fitz Hugh Lee, Gov
ernor of Virginia, who welcomed the dele
gates to Virginia. Governor Lee was fire.
quently applauded and his speech was great
ly appreciated by the Knights. After ex-
tending a welcome on behalf of Virginia
Governor Lee referred to the objects OF the
Knights of Labor, which Mr.. Powderly had
told him were chiefly the study of the science
of government Were the rights and privi-
leges of American citizens being trampled on
by organized capital? Was war to be declared
against that, and was it to be war to the
knife? Or would there be a peaceful issue to
the conflict? The constitution was
only framed by compromise and
compromise will solve the ques-
ton of the hour. Referring to Mr..
Powderly's assertion that the Knights of La
Dor would never be a political party, al
though its members might cooperate with
other thinking men in forming a party,
Governor Lee said there had always been
and always would be two great political par
ties. Room had never been found for a
third He advised the Knights to follow
their leaders, advice and keep away from
politics and to fight their battle on the orig
ina1 lines. He divided capitalists into two
classes, and he said that he would fight with
them against the one which embraced incor-
porated rascality; moneyed corporations that
seek to control legislatures by bribery. They
could draw the fangs from the money kings
who seek to take possession of the great tele-
graph lines, but all capital was not used
in that way, and no war should be
made on those who use their good for
tune to alleviate the sufferings of mankind.
Governor Lee then discussed at some length
the relations existing between employer and
employed. and the possibility of bringing
happiness and prosperity out of contention
and strife by the use of cool judgment, char
ity and fair mindedness. Mercantile and
manufacturing classes could not be benefited
by reducing the laborer to the verge of star
walton. 1t was well to have peace between
conservative capital and the laboring classes.
He counselled arbitration at all times, and
called the attention of the delegates to the
grave responsibility which rested on their
decisions.
Delegate Frank Farrell (colored) of Assem-
bly, 40, New York, on whose account Colonel
Murphy refused to take in the delegation at
his hotel, then introduced L. V. Powderly.
The grand master workman thanked Cover
nor Lee and the people of Virginia for their
hospitable welcome. The Knights of Labor
were engaged in conflict, but it was war
of truth against error and not, as many be-
lieved, one of labor against capital. The
manhood of American labor was fighting for
recognition. The Knights of Labor had
come together not alone to settle wages
dispute, or the hours of labor, they had
assembled to also learn some lessons
of the head and heart and practical
citizenship. Every member was bur
dened with solemn responsibility, for he
has pledged his knightly word to work until
success shall have crowned his efforts or death
put an end to his labors on earth. "We are
knights of Labor" said Mr.. Powderly, "be-
cause we believe 'to whom belongs the sol,
it is his, even unto heaven because we be-
lieve that the right of the poorest man or
woman of toll should stand forth more clearly
and be treated with more respect than the
privileges conferred upon or stolen by the
wealthiest in the nation; because politicians
and political parties have deceived, degraded
and debauched the people; because they
have too often gained power through
deception and fraud, and in return for
deserted the common people and knelt at the
shrine of gold" Mr.. Powderly asserted
that the new slavery was worse than the old
and that the power of the new slave owner
did not end where the ordinary day laborer
bent beneath its rule. 1t controlled the me-
chanio, the farmer, the merchant and the
manufacturer, and counted among its vic
Tins servants of the State, chosen to execute
the peoples will. Even in the halls of the
national Congress will be found its most
willing cringing slave. In the pages of the
public press will be found the proof. The
lash was stricken from the hand of the
slave owner twenty-five years ago,
and it must be taken from the hand of the
new slave owner as we'll. Monopoly alone is
responsible for every manifestation of an
archy which has been witnessed. It is the
legitimate child of monopoly. In conclusion
Mr. Powderly said it was the duty of every
knight of Labor to assist in creating a
healthy public opinion on the subject of la
Dor and the Justice of its receiving a full and
Just share of the values of capital it had
helped to create. Knights of Labor had
made mistakes, but being mortal they could
not do otherwise. These mistakes have
been magnifed into crimes. Individual
members have gone astray and the order
has been held responsible for their Of
lenses. These things are wrong. 1t is not
just to charge the order with wrong doing
because one member or one assembly violates
the law of the order or of the land. Nor is
it right for the Knights of Labor to hold all
employers responsible for act of oppres-
sion by an individual employer. "Hear both
sides and then judge" is maxim worthy of
remembrance.
al, 80 r1vy7c Nv "a
house rang with cheers. A delegate secured
the floor and offered resolution of thanks
to Governor Lee, and it was carried unani-
mously. Mr.. Powderly announced that the
visitors would not retire from the hall
Hundreds of Knights then crowded
around Governor Lee and took him by
the hand. 1t was some minutes be-
fore he could make his way out The
assembly then went into secret session
Very little business was done in secret ses-
sion. A committee on credentials composed
of nine delegates was appointed and an ad-
journment was had till o'clock this morn
ing. This committee is in session tonight
and is hard at work on some complex Ques-
tions. The business before it Is that pre-
sented by the Montauk district brooklyn
district No 49, A portion of the city OF
New York is very strongly opposed to the
admission of the Brooklyn district and it
looks tonight as though the Brooklyn men
would be refused recognition, in which
event they will return to their homes.
The New York district is very determined
and it is reported had the committee on Gre
dentials selected with view to carrying
their point of sustaining jurisdiction over the
Brooklyn assemblies.
Grand Master Workman Powderly has
taken charge of the discretionary powers OF
the executive committee so far as they relate
| to making public the proceedings of the con
! vention for the use of the press, and it is
| probable the news field will be somewhat
cnrtailed. At the last meeting at Cleveland
much of the proceedings not intended fol
the public were given out, while great dea
which the higher officers desired should b.
| published did not make its appearance
| There will for few days at least be two ses
| sions in each twenty four hours-morniDt
| and aftervoon-and Mr.. Powderly will re
| main at the armory after eacl
session and make known so much of tn
4 80, ind hnJ71